Ohio, a Red State, , Votes to Protect Abortion Rights.
On Aug. 8, voters in Ohio shot down
Issue 1, 'The Hill' reports.
The proposed GOP legislature sought to change the rules for amending Ohio's constitution because an abortion rights amendment will be on the November ballot.
The abortion rights amendment would end the state's six-week abortion ban that was put in place after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
Currently, a simple majority of 50% plus one vote is required to enact new constitutional provisions.
Issue 1 would have made it more difficult to amend the constitution, proposing to raise the simple majority requirement to 60% of voters.
The proposed legislation also happened to be in violation of the state's ban on August special elections that are viewed as "anti-democratic" due to low voter turnout.
Ohio hasn't had a special election in August for 97 years, 'The Hill' reports. .
With the denial of Issue 1, Ohio voters have joined a handful of other red states that have uncharacteristically sided with abortion rights. .
With the denial of Issue 1, Ohio voters have joined a handful of other red states that have uncharacteristically sided with abortion rights. .
Those other states include
Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Montana
and South Dakota, 'The Hill' reports.