Something is happening in Ohio. Early voting has begun for the August 8 special election where Ohioans will vote on Issue 1, which would increase the threshold for passage for all future state amendments from the current simple majority to 60%. Issue 1 has been designed by abortion opponents to thwart the success of a likely November amendment to guarantee reproductive freedom in the Ohio constitution, which is currently supported by a wide majority of Ohio votes.
As reported in Raw Story, early voting figures for the August 8 special election are “surpassing even the most optimistic expectations.” Through seven days of early voting more than 116,000 Ohioans have cast a ballot in person and another 38,000 absentee ballots have been received — for a total of 154,000 votes cast so far. How notable is this?
- That’s a five-fold increase from the state’s special election last August.
- A final total of 138,000 in-person votes were cast for last May’s special election, which included a GOP U.S. Senate primary, so we’re on track to easily surpass that figure this year.
- Through nine days of early voting in Ohio for the November 2022 general election, 136,000 voters cast an in-person ballot, which is only 20,000 more than the in-person votes cast in just seven days this year.
One Person One Vote spokesman Dennis Willard said they’re “encouraged” by the early vote totals.
“Extreme politicians are trying to sneak this $20 million special election for special interests pass the voters but it’s not working,” he said. “Voters are foiling their plans because Ohioans are outraged, are showing up early requesting absentee ballots and voting no on Issue 1.”
But it isn’t over until it’s over. Here’s hoping that Ohio continues to get out the vote to vote down this GOP attempt to thwart democracy.
