Petitioners try to collect signatures for reproductive rights in Ross County

Shelby Reeves, Chillicothe Gazette
Updated ·3 min read
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Petitioners set up in the park, allowing people to drive by and sign the petition for Reproductive Rights. This is just one of the many ways petitioners have been gathering signatures.
Petitioners set up in the park, allowing people to drive by and sign the petition for Reproductive Rights. This is just one of the many ways petitioners have been gathering signatures.

CHILLICOTHE— Recently, a petition from the Ohio Democratic Party has been circling Ross County gaining signatures for an amendment to the Ohio Constitution. With enough statewide signatures, the amendment could make it onto the November ballot for all of Ohio to vote on.

This amendment, titled The Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protections for Health and Safety, would allow each individual to make their own reproductive decisions including contraceptive use, fertility treatment, miscarriage care and abortions. The amendment does state that abortions may be prohibited after fetal viability as long as it does not impact the pregnant person's chances of living.

Organizations around the state are working together to gain the required 413,446 valid signatures from at least 44 counties by July 5. The Democratic Party of Ohio pledged to get at least 100,000 of those signatures, in Ross County Courtney Lewis, Petition Organizing Lead for Ross County, said the local party has a goal of 1,500 signatures but they currently only have about one-third of that amount. She said that anyone who is registered to vote in Ross County can sign the petition, it does not matter what party you are a part of.

"Even though the Democratic party has pledged to do this is really a nonpartisan issue," said Lewis.

This collection process has not been easy as several anti-abortion groups have opposed the amendment. In the statehouse this issue has caused a divide with Republicans, who hold the majority, fighting for abortion bans and restrictions against Democrats. Outside of the statehouse, it is not as clear cut with an October Baldwin Wallace University poll showing that around 57.2% of Ohioans said abortion should be permitted, either always or with some limitations

Lewis said the petition is also facing opposition from lawmakers who are trying to make it harder to get a petition on the ballot, in the August special election it will be up for a vote to make petitions have a 60% majority agreement and signatures from all 88 counties.

"It is about control and the opposition of this amendment," said Lewis of the special election.

Lewis feels this petition and what it represents is what the country is all about- giving citizens a voice. You do not have to agree with the petition to want it on the ballot, she said people are able to sign the petition then vote no if it makes it to the November election if they want to.

"This is a perfect example of our democracy at work," said Lewis. "Whatever side you are on you would think you would want the people to vote, not just the higher-ups."

Petition collectors have held various events and attended local gatherings to try to gather signatures. If you are interested in becoming a signature collector or have a petition brought to you to sign visit the Ross County Democratic Party's website.

Jessie Balmert from the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau contributed to this report.

Shelby Reeves is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. You can email her at SReeves@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @Shelby_Reeves_

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Petitioners gain signatures for reproductive rights in Ross County