Analyzing Election Outcomes: Issues 1 & 2, Legislative Reactions, and Stopping Abortion After Issue 1
THANK YOU!!!
I want to thank the numerous God-fearing Ohio patriots who devoted significant time and effort to educate their fellow citizens about the dangers of Issues 1 and 2. Additionally, I want to thank organizations such as Protect Women Ohio, Protect Women Dayton, Dayton Right to Life, Center for Christian Virtue, Ohio Patriots Alliance Dayton Chapter, Protect Ohio Workers and Families, Dayton Citizens for Truth, Miami County Liberty, Montgomery County GOP, Miami County GOP, Darke County GOP, Preble County GOP, and Butler County GOP for their efforts to inform and equip voters with Issue 1 & 2 resources. Finally, I want to express gratitude to all the churches that chose to address Issue 1 and took the initiative to educate their congregation about the significance of the matter. May God bless you for your faithfulness and courage.
Please see the thank you letter I shared on my Facebook Page shortly after the November 7 Election.
What Happened?
Several factors influenced the passage of Issue 1, some expected and others unforeseen. The Democrats' success in mobilizing voters, surpassing Republican turnout, was anticipated. Additionally, supporters of Issue 1 significantly outspent the opposition, contributing to its success.
The Associated Press (AP) reported that since September 8, “the pro-abortion referendum has raised almost three times more money than the pro-life ‘no’ side: $29 million compared to less than $10 million.”
Pro-Abortion Extremists Have Spent $30 Million for Issue 1, Three Times More Than Pro-Life Side
Where did the money come from?
Campaign finance filings reveal that the proponents of Issue 1 surpassed opponents in both fundraising and expenditures.
Heading the campaign in favor of Issue 1 were three PACs: Ohioans for Reproductive Freedom, Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights, and Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights. Cumulatively, these groups secured $41.7 million in contributions, with major backers including the Sixteen Thirty Fund, the Open Society Policy Center, Lynn Schusterman, The Fairness Project, and ACLU Inc.
The funding for the Issue 1 campaign primarily came from progressive 501(c)(4) organizations outside the state, notably the Sixteen Thirty Fund based in DC and the Open Society Policy Center in New York. Significant donations also stemmed from individual contributors, including larger contributions from billionaires.
In contrast, the opposition, led by the Protect Women Ohio PAC, reported $26.4 million in contributions. Primary donors for this campaign included Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Protect Women Ohio Action, Inc., Knights of Columbus, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, and the Catholic Diocese of Columbus.
The opposition campaign to Issue 1 received fewer six-figure donations from individuals compared to the pro-amendment campaign. Protect Women Ohio obtained numerous donations from local Ohio groups, including Right to Life organizations and churches at the local and regional levels.
Abortion rights campaign beats opponents in campaign donations and spending ahead of election
District 5 Results for Issue 1
Miami County
We anticipated Issue 1 to be defeated in Miami County, but by a bit of a larger margin than 60/40. Out of 76,157 registered voters in Miami County, 40,001participated in the election (52.52%). Among them, 39,740 opted to vote on Issue 1, while 261 voters chose not to cast a vote for the state Issue 1. While 15,707 voted ‘Yes’ (39.52%), 24,033 voted ‘No’ (60.48%).
Montgomery County
We anticipated that Issue 1 would pass in Montgomery County, but by a slimmer margin than 60/40, especially with the many churches stepping up to speak to the Issue and the massive door-to-door efforts and billboard campaigns. However, on a brighter note, the percentage of ‘No’ votes stood at 40.9% and notably exceeded the 31.7% average observed in Ohio’s five other major counties. Out of 362,693 registered voters in Montgomery County, 166,214 participated in the election and cast a vote for Issue 1 (45.82%).
Darke County
We anticipated Issue 1 to be defeated in Darke County by a significant margin, and it was. Out of 34,260 registered voters in Darke County, 18,068 participated in the election (52.74%). Among them, 17,986 opted to vote on Issue 1, while 82 voters chose not to cast a vote for the state Issue 1. While 4,943 voters (27.48%) cast a ‘Yes’ vote, 13,043 voters (72.52%) cast a ‘No’ vote.
Preble County
We anticipated Issue 1 to be defeated in Preble County, and it was. Out of 28,354 registered voters in Preble County, 14,127 participated in the election (49.82%). Among them, 14,038 opted to vote on Issue 1, while 89 voters chose not to cast a vote for state Issue 1. While 5,175 voters cast a ‘Yes’ vote (36.86%), 8,863 voters cast a ‘No’ vote (63.14%).
Butler County
We anticipated Issue 1 to be narrowly defeated in Butler County, but instead, it ended up passing by a narrow margin with 58,245 voting ‘Yes’ (50.63%) and 56,789 voting voting ‘No’ (49.37%). Out of 252,763 registered voters in Butler County, 115,708 participated in the election (45.8%). Among them, 115,034 opted to vote on Issue 1, while 674 voters chose not to cast a vote for state Issue 1.
The Unexpected Curveball
I think the most surprising part for many of us who were on the front lines of the fight to defeat Issue 1 was the unexpected gap in the final percentage. Unlike Issue 2, we anticipated a much narrower outcome for Issue 1, but the final tally of nearly 57% ‘Yes’ and 43% ‘No’ was quite a curveball.
Although the implications were somewhat instinctively understood, processing the fact that individuals we believed shared common values voted contrary to our expectations was an incredible blow. Whether stemming from ignorance, fear, confusion, or deliberate intent – these votes signify a notable leftward shift in Ohio’s cultural landscape.
While many view the 48% turnout of registered voters as something to be happy about, we perceived it yet another heavy blow. According to the New York Times, 3,862,695 Ohioans cast their votes on November 7th, constituting only 48% of the 7,988,132 registered voters. Among this 48%, 56% voted 'Yes' for Issue 1, representing a decision made by just 27% of Ohioans. However, a staggering 4,125,442 voters opted not to vote at all, and only 25 counties out of 88 voted for the passage of Issue 1.
In comparison, during a presidential election, where 86% of registered Ohioans voted in the last presidential election (equivalent to 6.9 million voters), the ironic parallel is that 56% of 6.9 million is approximately 3.8 million—roughly the same number of total votes cast for and against in the recent November 7th election.
Exit Poll Data Reveals Surprising Insight
A friend of mine recently alerted me to an NBC exit poll for Issue 1 that I found incredibly insightful. While I acknowledge the limitations of such polls, it is helpful to note some of the following observations from the data, where orange represents “yes” (pro-abortion) and blue represents “no.”
1. Individuals identifying as Republicans voted in favor of abortion.
2. Evangelical Christians, typically associated with conservative values, also voted in support of abortion.
3. Conservatives, as a group, cast votes in favor of abortion.
A particularly interesting finding showed that 12% of respondents believed abortion should be illegal in all circumstances, yet 3% of this group voted “yes.” This discrepancy could suggest that advertising surrounding the issue may have led to confusion among voters.
Erring on the Side of Death
Approximately 73% of conservative Republicans and Republican-leaning independents believe abortion should be illegal in all (16%) or most (56%) cases. In contrast, a majority of moderate and liberal Republicans, constituting 60%, assert that abortion should be legal in all or most cases. Nevertheless, Issue 1 garnered support from a significant number of moderate, liberal, and even conservative Republicans who chose to vote 'Yes.'
So why would they vote ‘Yes’ to enshrine unlimited and unrestricted abortion access into Ohio’s Constitution?
A friend residing in Northern Ohio offered some perspective on how this might have happened. She described how residents experienced an onslaught of messages aiming to instill fear in women. The messages suggested that Attorney General Dave Yost would take retaliatory measures against women seeking out-of-state abortions following his request to obtain medical records. This, she believes, influenced many Republicans statewide, particularly in Northern Ohio where a majority of moderate Republicans reside, to vote 'Yes.' Concerns about potential legal consequences in Ohio, including arrest for murder, elevated fears for individuals seeking abortion in another state due to reasons such as rape, incest, or threats to the life of the mother. A spokeswoman for Yost stated that it isn’t about abortion investigations, but about “sexual assault investigations” that “help victims of crimes by allowing law enforcement to collect evidence – or example DNA from a rape kit – so that violent criminals can be arrested.” Nevertheless, many Ohio Republicans decided to err on the side of death by voting ‘Yes’ on Issue 1.
Ohio's Attorney General wants access to medical records of Ohioans who go out of state for abortions
Planned Parenthood’s Agenda
The abortion industry, led mainly by Planned Parenthood – a primary author of the Issue 1 amendment, differs significantly from public sentiments regarding abortion limits and restrictions. The industry has departed from its prior emphasis on "safe, legal, and rare" and now advocates for taxpayer-funded abortion, accessible on demand up until the moment of birth. This raises questions about whether Republicans who voted 'Yes' truly grasp that the ultimate outcome of their vote supports fully taxpayer-funded abortion up to the moment of birth, aka child sacrifice.
The reality is that Ohioans identifying as pro-life do not agree with Planned Parenthood’s agenda. Even Ohioans who agree to abortions in the first trimester are often accepting of the procedure due to their ignorance or unwillingness to confront the realities of the procedure. When presented with videos like the ones below, even women identifying as pro-choice may reconsider their stance, with one-third changing their minds.
1st Trimester Surgical Abortion: Suction (Aspiration) D & C
What is Abortion? Second Trimester Surgical Abortion Dilation and Evacuation
Planned Parenthood prefers to keep hidden the substantial number of individuals supporting restrictions on abortion. According to the Marist Poll on Americans’ Opinions on Abortion, 68% believe that abortion should be limited to the first trimester or permitted only in very rare circumstances such as rape, incest, or to save the mother's life. Within this 68%, only 26% support legalizing abortion for any reason during the entire first trimester, 30% advocate for legality in cases of rape, incest, or life-threatening situations, and 12% endorse legalizing it solely to save the life of the mother.
Marist Poll Americans’ Opinions on Abortion
Missed Opportunities by the Republican-Controlled Legislature to Implement Common Sense Solutions
Some may argue that Ohioans have spoken, but the reality is that Issue 1 passed with the support of a minority, representing just over 27% of all Ohio voters in an off-year election. It raises questions about the absence of a remedy from Ohio Republicans to address the influence of off-year election minorities in altering the state constitution. They could have introduced legislation to ensure that Constitutional Amendments are only placed on the ballot during even-year gubernatorial/presidential election years when voter turnout is higher.
Our legislators missed a critical opportunity to shield our state from the influence of well-funded out-of-state interest groups and billionaires. They had the chance to pass laws preventing out-of-state individuals and groups from financing amendments to Ohio's Constitution, allowing only Ohioans to fund such efforts. Setting a threshold on turnout—requiring at least 40% of all registered voters to support a ballot initiative—could have been another safeguard. Regrettably, with a Republican majority, just 27% of registered Ohio voters decided to enshrine unlimited, unrestricted abortion into our Constitution.
The likelihood that Issue 1 would have passed in a Presidential or Gubernatorial election year is doubtful. This raises the crucial question: Why haven't Ohio Republicans addressed the issue of off-year election minorities influencing changes to the Ohio Constitution?
Response from Legislators following the passage of Issue 1
On November 8th, several pro-life Ohio House Representatives issued a statement in response to the passage of Issue 1. Seeking to curb the influence of pro-abortion courts, some lawmakers suggested “explor[ing] removing jurisdiction from the judiciary regarding this ambiguous ballot initiative [and] independently assess[ing] potential modifications to existing laws, considering public hearings and input from legal experts on both sides." In short, legislators are considering pushing to have Ohio’s legislature, not the courts, make decisions about the amendment in order to counter potential issues arising from Issue 1.
DECEPTIVE OHIO ISSUE 1 MISLED THE PUBLIC BUT DOESN'T REPEAL OUR LAWS
Ohio Republicans move to exclude judges from interpreting enshrined abortion rights
A Better Solution
I believe a better solution would be to introduce legislation granting "personhood rights" at the point of conception for the unborn. Additionally, enforcing a "dignity of the unborn right," involving burial and naming, would increase the cost and reduce the anonymity of elective on-demand abortion in Ohio.
Stopping Abortion After Issue 1
The passage of Issue 1 marked a demoralizing moment for the right-to-life movement, signifying one of Ohio's darkest political days with the establishment of abortion on demand. Child sacrifice has become an ideology that all Ohio elected officials must now swear to uphold when taking the state oath of office.
What Can We Do Now to Protect the Unborn?
The Personhood Amendment is the most logical, common-sense solution.
In Ohio, if a pregnant woman is murdered, the perpetrator is typically charged with two counts of murder or manslaughter, recognizing personhood rights for the unborn. Codifying these rights into law aligns with legal precedent and is a straightforward concept for the public to grasp.
The Ohio Revised Code, sections 2903.01 to 2903.07 and 2903.09 stipulates that at any stage of prenatal development, the intentional killing of an "unborn member of the species Homo sapiens, who is or was carried in the womb of another," is considered aggravated murder, murder, voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, negligent homicide, aggravated vehicular homicide, and vehicular homicide.
If an unborn child has rights when they are killed as a result of the mother being murdered- they should also have rights when they are being aborted.
The government’s own definition attests to the fact that life begins at fertilization. According to the National Institutes of Health, ‘fertilization’ is the process of union of two gametes (i.e., ovum and sperm) ‘whereby the somatic chromosome number is restored and the development of a new individual is initiated.'”
Steven Ertelt “Undisputed Scientific Fact: Human Life Begins at Conception, or Fertilization” LifeNews.com 11/18/13
When preborn individuals have personhood rights, they can be assigned a Court Appointed Special Advocate if their parents consider abortion. This ensures that the preborn, with personhood rights, undergo due process before any decision about their life is made. This process could ideally involve an administrative hearing with the Ohio Attorney General or one of his assistants.
Furthermore, with personhood rights, the preborn also gain reproductive rights, as established by Issue 1. These rights cannot be terminated without due process.
Please contact your legislators and encourage them to Pass Personhood Rights and Sanctity of Life into law.
Issue 2 Marijuana Legalization Initiative
The approval of Issue 2 made Ohio the 24th state to legalize marijuana for recreational and personal use. Out of 3,833,073 voters who cast a vote on Issue 2, 2,183,734 voters (56.97%) voted ‘Yes,’ while 1,649,339 (43.03%) voted ‘No.’ We anticipated that Issue 2 would pass due to the support across party lines for the issue.
In the push for marijuana legalization, bluer counties, notably Cuyahoga County, played a significant role, contributing to about two-thirds of the votes, as per unofficial election results. Legal marijuana use garners strong support from liberals (91%) and Democrats (87%), while conservatives and Republicans show somewhat lower but still notable support at 52% and 55%, respectively.
On heels Ohio’s approval of Issue 2, poll shows 70% in U.S. support legalizing marijuana
District 5 Results for Issue 2
Miami County
We anticipated Issue 2 to be defeated in Miami County, but by a larger margin. Out of 76,157 registered voters in Miami County, 40,001participated in the election (52.52%). Among them, 39,319 opted to vote on Issue 2, with 19,020 (48.37%) voting ‘Yes’ and 20,299 (51.63%) voting ‘No’.
Montgomery County
We anticipated that Issue 2 would pass in Montgomery County, and it did by about the same margin that Issue 1 passed. Out of 362,693 registered voters in Montgomery County, 166,272 participated in the election and cast a vote for Issue 2 (45.84%). While 99,269 voters (60.06%) cast a ‘Yes’ vote, 66,003 voters (39.94%) cast a ‘No’ vote.
Darke County
We anticipated Issue 2 to be defeated in Darke County by a significant margin. While it was defeated, it wasn’t defeated by as wide a margin as Issue 1. Out of 34,260 registered voters in Darke County, 18,068 participated in the election (52.74%). Among them, 17,908 opted to vote on Issue 2, while 160 voters chose not to cast a vote for the state Issue 2. While 6,757 voters (37.73%) cast a ‘Yes’ vote, 11,151 voters (62.27%) cast a ‘No’ vote.
Preble County
We anticipated Issue 2 to be defeated in Preble County. Although it was defeated, it was defeated by a much slimmer margin than Issue 1. Out of 28,354 registered voters in Preble County, 14,127 participated in the election (49.82%). Among them, 14,024 opted to vote on Issue 2, while 103 voters chose not to cast a vote for state Issue 2. While 6,620 voters cast a ‘Yes’ vote (47.20%), 7,404 voters cast a ‘No’ vote (52.80%).
Butler County
We anticipated Issue 2 to be narrowly defeated in Butler County, but instead, it ended up passing with a margin of over fifteen thousand votes. Out of 252,763 registered voters in Butler County, 115,708 participated in the election (45.8%). Among them, 111,213 opted to vote on Issue 2, while 4,495 voters chose not to cast a vote for state Issue 2. While 63,169 voters (56.80%) cast a ‘Yes’ vote, 48,044 voters cast a ‘No’ vote (43.20%).
Why I Opposed Issue 2
In a previous Substack post, I discussed Issue 2 and my reasons for opposing it. My opinion that the passage of Issue 2 would be detrimental to Ohio garnered criticism from some of my readers. I won't reiterate those reasons, but if you're interested, you can find them here. I stand by my viewpoint, echoing Matt Walsh's sentiments on marijuana legalization.
I've summarized Matt's perspectives on the widespread legalization and decriminalization of marijuana, along with a link to his podcast titled "Here’s What You Don’t Know About Marijuana."
Matt’s Summary
When people are freely allowed to use drugs anytime and anywhere, the result is an increase in drug use. Advocates for decriminalization argue that it won't necessarily lead to more drug use, as though laws don’t influence behavior. The legality of weed in many places prompts the question: Is there evidence that it improves conditions? Some argue it contributes to social decay, with a demoralizing impact on society evident in the prevalence of the smell of weed and the sight of stoned individuals. Examining the evidence leads to the logical conclusion that it hasn't made society better; in fact, it has made it worse.
What does the data say?
Several jurisdictions have experienced a significant increase in crime since legalizing marijuana. In 2021, New York's overall crime index surged by 22% after the legalization of cannabis. Similarly, in Washington, the rate of violent crime escalated from 337 per 100,000 people in 2021 to over 375 in the subsequent year following the Supreme Court's decision to strike down state drug laws.
Analysts from the Justice Research and Statistics Association examined the impact of marijuana legalization or decriminalization in 11 states, including Washington, Arizona, California, Colorado, and Nebraska. They gathered insights by consulting local officials and law enforcement personnel. In Washington, after the legalization of recreational marijuana, arrests for heroin and methamphetamine possession and distribution significantly increased. Despite claims that marijuana isn't a gateway drug, data challenges this notion. In Colorado, which decriminalized marijuana a decade ago, researchers noted a rise in the homeless population due to individuals relocating for marijuana-related jobs that didn't materialize. Concerns were also raised about criminal activities associated with the marijuana industry, such as theft and attempts to take over local sales. Similar issues occurred in Oregon, where marijuana related DUIs reportedly increased by 55 to 60% after decriminalization. Research from the University of Utah supported evidence of increased serious crimes in Oregon following marijuana legalization.
What happens now that Issue 2 has passed?
Despite these findings, Ohio has pursued its decriminalization agenda with the passage of Issue 2, with supporters seemingly assuming that Ohio will somehow escape from the adverse effects already experienced by other states.
Once Issue 2 clears the legislature, it proceeds to the Department of Commerce, responsible for regulating legal medical marijuana and liquor. This organization establishes sales rules and regulations, a process taking several months. Following completion, the public is invited to submit business proposals, reviewed to select the best candidates for licenses. A 10% tax will be imposed on sales of adult-use marijuana. From this 10%, 36% of the revenue—estimated to be at least $150 million by the coalition supporting the law—will contribute to a social equity and jobs program.
Ohio can expect recreational businesses to emerge around the fourth quarter of next year. Proponents of Issue 2 claim it will generate hundreds of millions in tax revenue. However, Walsh argues that its passage won't enhance people's lives or improve Ohio's overall well-being. The focus on tax revenue, rather than societal benefits, raises concerns about potential negative impacts, such as increased crime and urban decay, as seen in other states. His argument challenges the libertarian fallacy that drug legalization only affects those who choose to use, emphasizing the broader societal consequences and urging careful consideration before legalizing drugs. According to Walsh, “the breakdown of society actually affects everybody, so ultimately there is no upside for anyone but the State Treasury and the politicians who desperately need voters to be as stoned and submissive and out of it as possible.”
What to Expect in my December Newsletter
Coverage of local school board races
Coverage of the December 1st Ohio Republican Party State Central Committee meeting
Why are members of the Ohio Republican Party’s Platform Committee pushing the party to remove support for the traditional family, the rights of the preborn, and the commitment to preserving the sanctity of life?
More on the Personhood Amendment and Dignity of the Preborn Act
Advocating for legislation that amends the Ohio Oath of Office so Christians do not have to vow to uphold and protect the parts of the Ohio Constitution that advocate for child sacrifice
Sincerely,
Jessica Franz
Ohio Republican Party District 5
Romans 3:4
“A government cannot be truly just without affirming the intrinsic value of human life.” ~Charles Colson
I believe in a prior post you stated that you could not find a law to support Social Emotional Learning in our schools. I did a FOIA request, and I did an actual search in health and wellness and could not fine such a law. What measures did you use?
I am a lifetime Republican. Never voted otherwise. But now I think the Republican Party is going off base. They are not listening to their voters. The continued denial and ignoring of what voters are saying they want will hurt the party in the long run. Marijuana, abortion, drag shows, gerrymandering etc....these are NOT the most pressing concerns of the average American. Overspending and Immigration are HUGE issues that no one in the party has addressed since Trump. We are getting too right wing which is alienating the middle of the road Republicans. First time in my 62 years that I won't vote Republican if we can't get our focus on the right issues. Believe me, I have many many Republican friends of all races, creeds and yes, sexual orientation. They also think the party is turning too far right and questioning their future with the party. Time to wake up folks. The days of the white, religious zealots is over as a majority. We'll have a much better chance if we realize that and act appropriately. Otherwise, prepare for a future of more Republicans turning to the other side....