Vote to protect abortion rights in Ohio.

Voter Guide

What about the Reproductive Freedom Amendment?

Abortion access is a defining issue in Ohio’s 2024 election, and the future of the Reproductive Freedom Amendment hangs in the balance. While Ohio voters overwhelmingly voted for the amendment in 2023, over 30 laws and restrictions on abortion remain on the books in the state These laws must either be overturned by the Ohio General Assembly or challenged to the Ohio Supreme Court. Additionally, even with our amendment, the possibility of a national abortion ban and the likelihood of as many as three United States Supreme Court justices being appointed during the next president’s term further threaten patients’ access to reproductive health care.

It is critical that Ohio voters know who they are voting for this year and support candidates at all levels who will protect reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy.

Important Election Information

Election Day is November 5, 2024. Polling locations are open 6:30am-7:30pm. You can find your polling location using this link. Don’t forget to bring your ID.

Early Voting

Vote by Mail

A vote by mail ballot can be requested using this link through October 29, 2024. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by Monday, November 4, 2024 or dropped off in-person at your county board of elections by 7:30 pm on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

In-Person Early Voting

You can early vote in-person from Tuesday, October 8, 2024 to Sunday, November 3, 2024 at your county board of elections during these hours:

October 8-11: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
October 14-18: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
October 21-25: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
October 26: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
October 27: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
October 28: 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
October 29: 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
October 30 – November 1: 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
November 2: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
November 3: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Don’t forget to bring your ID.

What’s On My Ballot?
View a sample ballot for candidates and any ballot measures and proposed state constitutional amendments.

Additional Resources

Candidate Comparison on Abortion Rights

President of the United States

SUPPORTS ABORTION RIGHTS

Vice President Kamala Harris Minnesota Governor Tim Walz

Vice President Kamala Harris has made abortion rights a centerpiece oof her presidential campaign, vowing to protect bodily autonomy, veto a national abortion ban, and fight state-level restrictions on reproductive healthcare. Harris has also supported efforts to protect women who travel for abortions and limit the collection of medical records related to reproductive health. She was the first sitting vice president and major party presidential candidate to visit an abortion clinic. As senator, she championed abortion rights, fought fetal personhood bills, and led the questioning of Brett Kavanaugh, then-nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court, on abortion rights and his commitment to Roe v. Wade. In her earlier work as a prosecutor and Attorney General of California, she sponsored legislation challenging so-called “crisis pregnancy centers” and investigated anti-abortion activists who targeted Planned Parenthood. She is endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund and Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America.

Governor Tim Walz, Senator Harris’ running mate, has expressed his full support of abortion rights on the campaign trail. As Governor, he codified abortion rights and reproductive care, making Minnesota a beacon for surrounding states with more restrictive laws. In the House, he supported federal protections for abortion rights, funding for research on postpartum mental health, and other maternal health measures. Governor Walz and his wife, Gwen, utilized fertility treatments to conceive their daughter, Hope.

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OPPOSES Reproductive Rights

Former President Donald Trump Ohio Senator JD Vance

Since his 2016 campaign, former President Donald Trump has opposed abortion rights, declared himself the “most pro-life president in history,” touted his appointment of Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade, celebrated sending abortion rights back to the states, floating bans on contraception,and falsely stated that abortions are being performed up to and after birth. In recent months as the 2024 presidential campaign has intensified and state ballot issues have passed in every state where they’ve been on the ballot, Trump has made conflicting statements about what actions he will or won’t take regarding abortion rights if re-elected. However, Project 2025, the blueprint created by the Heritage Foundation for his second term, contemplates how to ban the abortion pill and intensified tracking of abortion data and patients. He received a X grade from Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America and a X grade from National Right to Life and Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. His running mate, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, is a vocal anti-abortion extremist and loud critic of women who do not have children. As Senator, he voted against protections for IVF and criticized policies reimbursing military members who have to travel to receive abortion care. He co-sponsored bills to require detailed reports on military abortions, defund Planned Parenthood, require states to report abortion data to the CDC, codify the Hyde Amendment to prohibit federal funds for abortion. He called Ohio’s vote in favor of the Reproductive Freedom Amendment “a gut punch.”

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United State Senator

SUPPORTS Reproductive Rights

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown

Senator Sherrod Brown is a staunch advocate for abortion rights, consistently supporting access to reproductive healthcare. He has been vocal about protecting the right to choose, aligning with Democratic efforts to restore and codify federal protections for abortion, such as those that existed under Roe v. Wade. Brown has also opposed state-level abortion restrictions, including those in Ohio, and has pushed for legislation that would safeguard reproductive freedom nationwide. Brown supported Ohio’s Issue 1, the Reproductive Freedom Amendment, in 2023. Senator Brown is endorsed by Planned Parenthood AAction Fund and Reproductive Freedom for all (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America) and received an “F” grade from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.

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OPPOSES Reproductive Rights

Bernie Moreno

Bernie Moreno has a conservative stance on abortion. He has supported the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, stating that abortion policies should be decided by individual states rather than at the federal level. Moreno does not believe in exceptions when it comes to abortion laws and his platform aligns with Republican efforts to restrict abortion access. He said abortion isn’t healthcare, called women “crazy” for being “single-issue voters” on abortion rights, and said the issue isn’t relevant for women over 50. He has also indicated that women need to take more personal responsibility for pregnancy and that they did not get pregnant “standing in line at Kroger.” He would likely support continuation of Ohio’s stringent abortion laws, which include significant restrictions on the procedure. Moreno is endorsed by Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and Ohio Right to Life.

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Ohio Supreme Court

SUPPORTS Reproductive Rights

Justice Mike Donnelly

While Ohio Supreme Court candidates are prohibited from expressing an opinion on issues that might come before the Court, Justice Mike Donnelly has consistently voiced his commitment to upholding the Ohio Constitution. He voted to ensure the Reproductive Freedom Amendment would appear on the 2023 ballot and against the misleading language drafted by the Ohio Ballot Board. In 2022, he voted to reject Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s challenge of the preliminary injunction to the 6 week abortion ban. He has made judicial independence and fairness, particularly in protecting rights, the centerpiece of his re-election campaign. Justice Donnelly is endorsed by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio and Abortion Forward.

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OPPOSES Reproductive Rights

Judge Megan Shanahan

Judge Megan Shanahan has flouted the prohibitions on stating an opinion on issues that may come before the Ohio Supreme Court by attending Ohio Right to Life events and touting their endorsement. She is likely to uphold Ohio’s existing abortion restrictions and could lean toward limiting access, in line with the anti-abortion movement. Her judicial decisions may reflect a more restrictive approach to individual rights, including reproductive rights, consistent with conservative legal interpretations. Judge Shanahan is endorsed by Ohio Right to Life.

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SUPPORTS Reproductive Rights

Justice Melody Stewart

Justice Melody Stewart, while not permitted to state a position on issues that may come before the Ohio Supreme Court, has a record of defending constitutional protections for abortion access. She voted to allow the Reproductive Freedom Amendment to move forward in 2023 and to remove misleading ballot language. She also voted to reject Attorney General Dave Yost’s appeal to an injunction on the state’s 6 week abortion ban in 2022. As the first Black woman elected to the Ohio Supreme Court, Stewart’s judicial philosophy tends to favor individual liberties and equal protection under the law, which aligns with maintaining access to reproductive healthcare. Justice Stewart is endorsed by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio and Abortion Forward.

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OPPOSES Reproductive Rights

Justice Joe Deters

Joe Deters is a conservative figure who was appointed to the Ohio Supreme Court by Republican Governor Mike DeWine. After the Dobbs decision, Deters said he would prosecute any violations of the state’s 6-week abortion ban. He was forced to recuse himself from a case challenging the law because he was a named defendant in the case. Deters has a long history of supporting conservative policies, and his judicial outlook suggests that he would favor state-level abortion restrictions. His views align more closely with the anti-abortion movement, which advocates for limiting or rolling back access to reproductive healthcare. Justice Deters is endorsed by Ohio Right to Life.

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SUPPORTS Reproductive Rights

Judge Lisa Forbes

Judge Lisa Forbes is a judge who likely supports reproductive rights, given her Democratic alignment and background. Although her specific rulings or stances on abortion rights might not be as publicly documented, she is generally expected to align with protecting abortion access, following constitutional protections like those previously established under Roe v. Wade. Judge Forbes is endorsed by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio and Abortion Forward.

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OPPOSES Reproductive Rights

Judge Dan Hawkins

Dan Hawkins is a conservative candidate whose views align more closely with the anti-abortion movement. He is expected to support Ohio’s restrictive abortion laws and is likely to favor state-level decisions that limit or ban access to abortion. His judicial philosophy would likely reflect the Republican stance, which has pushed for stricter abortion regulations. Judge Hawkins is endorsed by Ohio Right to Life.

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Issue 1: ADVANCES Reproductive Rights in Ohio

Vote YES to End Gerrymandering

Vote no to continue gerrymandering

Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights sees reform of Ohio’s redistricting process as “preventative medicine.” OPRR strongly believes that there is a critical connection between fair districts and safeguarding reproductive rights and the constitutional rights we secured in November 2023. Ensuring that state and federal legislative districts are drawn in a fair, nonpartisan way and our policymakers accurately reflect the makeup and voice of Ohio voters will lay the foundation for more equitable and representative decision-making. With 57% of Ohio voters supporting the Reproductive Freedom Amendment in 2023, our Statehouse does not reflect the views of Ohioans. The Ohio Statehouse is overrun with anti-abortion politicians. This disproportionate representation is because of gerrymandering. By ensuring that elected officials represent the needs and views of the citizens they represent promotes a political environment where reproductive rights are respected and protected, and where the voices of all Ohioans are truly heard and considered in the shaping of laws that affect their lives and health. Redistricting reform is a long-term investment in reproductive rights in Ohio.

Looking for information about state legislative races? Check out: