2023 General Election Results
By Andrew Huffman, Assistant Vice President, Government Affairs
Ohio’s General Election was held on November 7, 2023 and, in addition to various local issues, Ohioans were asked to vote on two statewide ballot measures.
State Issue 1:
State Issue 1 was passed by a margin of 56.6% to 43.4%.
Issue 1 was an amendment to the Ohio Constitution guaranteeing the right to abortion access. The ballot measure was developed in the wake of the United State Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe V. Wade and legislation passed by Ohio lawmakers that banned most abortions after six weeks, omitting exception for rape and incest.
The focal point of Issue 1 was on the ability for every “individual” to have the right to make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions until fetal viability (professional judgment on or around 22-24 weeks of pregnancy). However, after viability, the state can restrict abortion access unless the patient’s life or health is at risk.
Critics of Issue 1 claimed the Issue would establish abortion up to full term and would erase parental rights allowing minors to make their own decisions without parental consent. While Issue 1 passed with overwhelming support, the battle over abortion access is likely far from over with pro-life advocates vowing to continue fighting.
State Issue 2:
State issue 2 was passed by a margin of 57% to 43%.
Ohio became the 24th state in the nation to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes by passing Issue 2. The provision would allow the cultivation, processing, sale, purchase, possession, home grow, and use of marijuana for Ohioans 21 and older. The proposal creates a 10% excise tax, subjecting marijuana to the state’s sales tax and additional local taxes. Research from Ohio State University suggests the program can bring in between $276 million to $403 million in revenue by the fifth year. Compliance of the marijuana industry would be regulated by the Ohio Department of Commerce.
It is important to note that Issue 2 was an initiated statute and not a constitutional amendment, which allows state lawmakers to pass modifications to the new law through legislation.
Complete election results can be found on the Ohio Secretary of State’s website: Homepage - Ohio Secretary of State (ohiosos.gov)
