It's Election Day: Ohio voters to decide on abortion, marijuana legalization

Anthony Shoemaker, Columbus Dispatch
Joan Ross, of Chillicothe, casts her paper ballot at the Ross County Board of Elections as an early voter on November 2, 2023 for the upcoming November 7 Ohio elections in Chillicothe, Ohio.
Joan Ross, of Chillicothe, casts her paper ballot at the Ross County Board of Elections as an early voter on November 2, 2023 for the upcoming November 7 Ohio elections in Chillicothe, Ohio.

Ohioans head to the polls Tuesday to decide on two hot-button social issues - abortion rights and marijuana legalization.

Voters will decide whether to approve Issue 1 and Issue 2, along with a range of other local races and levies.

Live results coming at 7:30 Tuesday: Ohio voters to decide on legalizing recreational marijuana

Issue 1 would enshrine in the state constitution the right to an abortion up until viability, which is when a fetus can survive outside the uterus with reasonable measures. It also states that there's a right to access contraception, miscarriage care, fertility treatment and continuing a pregnancy.

Two oversized signs addressing Issue One are on display along Fifth Street in Marysville, Ohio.
Two oversized signs addressing Issue One are on display along Fifth Street in Marysville, Ohio.

Ohio is the only state with an abortion issue on the ballot this year. Many states are looking at Ohio ahead of the 2024 election when more states are expected to have abortion issues on the presidential ballot.

Live results coming at 7:30 Tuesday: Abortion amendment dominates Tuesday's election

Issue 2 would allow Ohioans age 21 and older to possess 2.5 ounces of marijuana in any form except extract and 15 grams of extract. They could also grow up to six plants individually and no more than 12 in a household with multiple adults.

Products would be taxed 10% on top of Ohio's sales tax. The revenue would go toward a cannabis social equity and jobs program, municipalities with dispensaries, a state fund to combat substance abuse and administrative costs.

More: Early voting brought high turnout driven by Ohio Issues 1 and 2

What is Ohio's voter ID law?

A new state law no longer allows voters to use utility bills and other documents as identification to receive a ballot.

Now, a photo ID is required for in-person voting, either on Election Day or during the early voting period. To cast a ballot by mail, voters must provide a copy of their photo ID, driver's license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number.

When are the polls open on Election Day?

Polls open today at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. To check your polling location, view a sample ballot and more, visit voteohio.gov.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Election Day: Ohio voters to decide on abortion, marijuana issues

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