Why vote yes on Issue 1 in November

Letter to the Editor,

Issue 1 is about more than abortion. It’s about government overreach into women’s health, with regard to contraception, miscarriage care, fertility treatment and the right to maintain a pregnancy.

You won’t find contraception, miscarriage care or fertility treatment listed on the ballot language when you vote in the November election because Secretary of State Frank LaRose has the authority to rewrite proposed amendments for clarity. In this case the “clarity” has clouded the issue.

To be clear, the first section of the amendment that would be enacted if Issue 1 passes reads:

Be it resolved by the people of the state of Ohio that Article I of the Ohio Constitution is amended to add the following section: Article I, Section 22, The Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protections for Health and Safety.

A. Every individual has a right to make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions, including but not limited to decisions on:

—Contraception.

—Fertility treatment.

—Continuing one’s own pregnancy.

—Miscarriage care.

—Abortion.

In contrast any medical decision that pertains to the male reproductive system is not regulated by any entity. Women have never been granted the same equality. Voting yes in November would be a step toward achieving the equality they deserve.

Janet Ladrach

Sugarcreek