Early in-person voting has commenced in Ohio for a pivotal election that will determine the future of amending the state's constitution. The outcome will have a direct impact on a pending abortion rights amendment.

Issue 1 proposes raising the bar for passing constitutional amendments from a simple majority (in effect since 1912) to a 60% supermajority. Supporters, under the banner of the Protect Our Constitution coalition, believe this change will safeguard against well-funded special interest groups imposing policies on Ohioans regarding abortion, gun control, minimum wage, agriculture, and other key issues.

Conversely, the opposition group, One Person One Vote, argues that this expedited election during an off-year is a strategic maneuver to obstruct policies supported by the majority of Ohioans but opposed by the increasingly conservative Republican supermajority in the Statehouse. They point to the success of abortion access amendments in other states, even conservative ones, following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, noting these amendments typically passed with less than 60% of the vote.

Opponents also raise concerns about the timing of the election, suggesting that a small fraction of Ohio voters might decide this critical issue. County election boards have reported steady initial turnout for the August 8th election, which wasn't originally on the 2023 calendar. The election is also occurring amidst recent changes to election laws enacted in January, impacting voter registration, which recently concluded. For the first time, eligible Ohioans using paper registration forms were required to provide additional identification, such as an Ohio driver's license, ID number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. They also needed to utilize a specific paper form designed by Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose.

The wording of the amendment on the ballot has been a point of contention and subject to legal challenges. While the Ohio Supreme Court mandated minor revisions, the description of the amendment as "elevating" the standards for future constitutional amendments remains. One Person One Vote argued that "elevating" carries a positive bias, potentially influencing voters towards a "yes" vote. However, the court deemed it synonymous with "raising" or "increasing." The election date itself has also faced legal scrutiny, with critics arguing it contravenes a law passed just last year to eliminate most August elections due to cost, strain on election boards, and low voter turnout.