Ohio:

Pro-life advocates are raising concerns over the vague language used in the US state of Ohio's Issue 1 abortion amendment. They are pointing out that the language in the proposal would take away parental consent and lead to late-term abortions in the state.

Since October 11, Ohioians have been voting on whether to accept a constitutional proposal granting the state the ability to legalize abortion. This comes before the ballot decision on November 7.

By voting "yes" on Issue 1, the state constitution would be amended to include an affirmative right to abortion, and the government would not be able to interfere with this right.

The proposal allows for abortions to be prohibited after a fetus reaches viability. Fetal viability is when a physician determines a fetus has a significant likelihood of survival outside the uterus with reasonable measures. However, the pro-lifers decried the proposal that permits abortion if a physician determines that the mother's life or health is at risk even after fetal viability. They pointed out that this can lead to late-term abortions, stating that neither life nor health is defined.

Pro-life groups argue that Issue 1 will interfere with Ohio laws requiring parental notification before a minor can undergo the procedure.

They also pointed out that Ohio's Heartbeat Act, which will ban abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, will not exist if Issue 1 passes, as the state can no longer restrict abortions before a fetus is viable outside the womb.

Meanwhile, by voting "no" on Issue 1, Ohio's abortion laws would remain the same and be up to the discretion of the legislature and the courts.

Under current Ohio law, abortion is legal up to 22 weeks of pregnancy.