County judge strikes down Ohio abortion ban, citing voter-approved reproductive rights amendment

A judge has permanently blocked enforcement of Ohio's ban on virtually all abortions. Hamilton County Judge Christian Jenkins on Thursday cited voters’ approval last November of Issue 1, which created a constitutional right for people to make their own reproductive decisions. He said Republican Attorney General Dave Yost “evidently missed the memo” when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and returned power over abortion to the states. Yost acknowledged the restriction on most abortions once cardiac activity is detected was unconstitutional. He wanted several side provisions retained. The ban had mostly been on hold since 2019. Yost’s office said it would decide within 30 days whether to appeal.