COLUMBUS, Ohio — An unplanned summer special election on a measure supported by Republicans to make it more difficult for Ohio voters to pass future constitutional amendments, including one on the November ballot regarding abortion rights, has resulted in unexpectedly high early turnout. Election offices are struggling to handle the influx of voters and are attempting to recruit additional poll workers. The strong early turnout is indicative of a highly motivated electorate, a pattern observed in other states where voters have recently confirmed their support for abortion rights after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. The measure in question, Issue 1, was introduced by the Republican-controlled Legislature and does not directly address abortion. Instead, it imposes various obstacles that voters must overcome to pass amendments to the state constitution, such as raising the threshold to 60%. However, if Issue 1 is approved, it could jeopardize the amendment seeking to secure constitutional abortion rights that is already on the November ballot. Data from AP VoteCast in the 2022 midterm elections found that 59% of Ohio voters believed abortion should be legal in most or all cases, just below the necessary 60% threshold. The decision to hold a special election in the middle of summer vacation season is perceived by some as a political tactic, especially since August elections, which historically have low turnout, were recently abolished. Nevertheless, this election has garnered significant interest, with over 533,000 people already voting either in-person or by mail since early voting began on July 11. This turnout is nearly double the final early voting figures of Ohio’s previous two midterm primary elections. While it is difficult to compare due to differences in election types, it is noteworthy that last year’s August elections had a significantly lower turnout of around 142,000 early ballots. Long lines have been observed at polling places, and voters are enduring the heat to cast their ballots. Many voters believe that a 60% threshold would encourage bipartisan collaboration on contentious issues. The battle over abortion in Ohio has fueled the campaigns supporting and opposing Issue 1, with both sides investing heavily in get-out-the-vote efforts. Although Ohio voters do not register by political party, data suggests that Democratic-leaning voters are turning out in higher numbers than Republican-leaning voters. Female voters are also voting in higher numbers than males. The pressure of such a high-stakes election has left election officials across Ohio feeling the strain, especially given the short time frame and the need to train poll workers and secure polling locations. Despite the challenges, county officials have undertaken early planning and believe they are prepared for the election. The early voting numbers in Franklin County alone have exceeded expectations, with more than 1,500 voters processed daily in the first week. The turnout is expected to remain steady until Tuesday, and there is a possibility that overall turnout may surpass that of the last midterm election.
Massive Early Voter Turnout Expected in Ohio Special Election Following Heated Fall Abortion Debate
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