Well, not exactly what I expected. But essentially rather than waiting for the next election, they created an election day to game the system. I don't think constitutional amendments should pass by simple majority. Most states require a higher threshold for constitutional matters vs. simple referendum. I'm also pro-life. Still I hate even more trying to game the system for political outcomes - taking advantage of people not voting on a non standard election day during summer holidays.

Plus, they were hoping that there would be low turnout be having it on an unusual day. Looks like that's not happening though.

Also, since the OH GOP isn't even confident of their constitutional positions hitting 40% in statewide elections, they also added a provision to this requiring ballot petitions to contain 5% of eligible voters in each County.

Suffolk is just one poll but the result isn't surprising. Between motivated pro-choice voters (see: MI, KS etc.) and voters who just don't want the legislature taking power away from them, there is every reason to believe this measure will go down in flames.

I was initially an undecided voter on this. (Typical Ohio Voter, lol) Even leaning Yes at one point as I do think on principle 50%+1 does seem a bit too easy to amend the constitution. But, there seems like there is a lot of politicizing of the issues like abortion tied into this and the new signature requirements seem a bit too much. I'm voting No.

If I recall, Ohio is a “blue mirage” state (early votes counted first), correct? Not saying “No” won’t win, just that the race will tighten.

Wasserman called it.

I see a lot of people saying this is yet another Biden era GOP loss but can we really classify it as that? I'm certainly all for trashing the GOPs current leadership, but if you ask me this is just more of an unpopular amendment not passing

I see a lot of people saying this is yet another Biden era GOP loss but can we really classify it as that? It's a loss for the anti-abortion movement to which the GOP is anchored.

Republicans got their wish on Abortion and they're going to wish they hadn't.

I don't see this result as solely determined by the abortion issue. Although no doubt many voters on the center-left voted NO because of the implication on the November Abortion referendum vote. I think there were a number of independents and probably even some Republicans that voted NO not on abortion but on the effort to rig the democratic outcome by holding this vote during the summer - a non traditional election day when no other races were held. I'm pro-life and actually agree that constitutional changes should have a higher bar than 50% + 1. Still, I would have voted NO because I feel it was shady the way Republican leadership did an end-run around the normal election day where things like this should be decided. Separate from my beliefs, there are typically a large number of center right voters that vote NO on these type of measures anyway because they see it as a defense against big government. I do not expect the November referendum to pass or fail by this same margin. This vote is predictive of some peoples voting intentions, but not all.

I don't see this result as solely determined by the abortion issue. Although no doubt many voters on the center-left voted NO because of the implication on the November Abortion referendum vote. I think there were a number of independents and probably even some Republicans that voted NO not on abortion but on the effort to rig the democratic outcome by holding this vote during the summer - a non traditional election day when no other races were held. Setting aside relative turnout rates of the Yes / No sides, I agree that the result of the abortion referendum itself should be marginally closer, but the turnout for this measure was more than half of the 2020 general election so I think the political nerd caucus was overwhelmed by people voting on abortion.