Ohio Voters Enshrined Abortion, But Courts Will Decide its Reach

Ohio voters approved a measure last week to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution, but supporters and opponents of Issue 1 will likely be back in court soon to fight over its implementation.

The measure automatically goes into effect 30 days after passage, in this case Dec. 7. A clause in the amendment’s language says it’s “self-executing,” meaning citizens on that day will have a constitutional right to an abortion up to the point of viability outside the womb.

But both sides say the political and practical realities will likely require judges and the Republican-controlled state Supreme Court to ...