by Sarah Mummert, Student Public Relations Writer
This November, Ohio voters will decide if the Buckeye State will really stand for life. That’s because there is a constitutional amendment on the ballot that, if approved, will allow abortions to take place up to the birth of the child.
Will Ohio voters approve this measure, known as Issue 1? Or will Ohioans remain committed to their conservative position on abortion and reject the proposal? 
Cedarville University’s Center for Political Studies is hosting a community town hall forum, “Election Essentials: A Deep Dive Into Ohio’s Issue 1,” on Tuesday, Oct. 17, at 7:30 p.m. in the Stevens Student Center’s DeVries Theatre that will help clarify the issue and what’s at stake. The event is open to the public, but seating is limited. The event will also be livestreamed at cedarville.edu/issue1.
Aaron Baer, president of the Center for Christian Virtue in Columbus, and Cedarville’s Dr. Mark Caleb Smith, director of the Center for Political Studies and professor of political science, will lead the conversation during the 90-minute program. In addition to their opening remarks, the two political experts will discuss what’s at stake, and the event will conclude with a question-and-answer session with the live audience.
“Issue 1, if it passes, would protect the right to an abortion in Ohio, far more than it has been protected in our recent history,” said Smith.
After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade on June 6, 2022, individual states have been crafting laws concerning abortion.
“Some states have been very protective of abortion rights, while others have been more pro-life, including Ohio,” said Smith. “This is an important policy issue in the country, and right now, Ohio is at the center of the debate.”
In August, Ohio held a special election — also titled “Issue 1” — that would have required a 60% majority to amend the state constitution, rather than the simple majority already in place. But it did not pass.
Concerning November’s Issue 1, Smith stated, “A ‘no’ vote would keep Ohio’s current laws in place, and it would allow our state legislators to pass laws about abortion that protect life wherever possible. The state has already passed a pro-life bill that prevents abortion after six weeks, but it is currently tied up in the court system.”
As it stands, Ohio’s law leans toward protecting life. However, that could change if Issue 1 passes.
“Passing Issue 1 would make Ohio one of the more progressive states when it comes to abortion rights,” Smith said.
The Center for Political Studies connects Cedarville students to the world of politics through the D.C. Semester, guest speakers and Christ-centered research.
The Center for Christian Virtue (CCV), based in Columbus, is Ohio’s largest Christian public policy organization. The CCV has earned a reputation for being fearless and strategic, advancing solutions for the biggest problems facing America.
From school choice to religious freedom to free speech and the dignity of life, the CCV works on a broad spectrum of issues to ensure we pass on a freer, more prosperous nation to the next generation.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 5,456 undergraduate, graduate, and dual-enrolled high school students in more than 175 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio, recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, including its Bachelor of Arts in political science, high graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and the #4 national ranking by the Wall Street Journal for student engagement. For more information about the University, visit cedarville.edu.