We need around 800,000 in-person signatures. That sounds like a lot — and it is! Here’s the math: we need valid signatures numbering 10% of the voters from the last gubernatorial election. Since about 4.2 million Ohioans voted in the 2022 DeWine v Whaley election, we’ll need to collect about 420,000 valid signatures statewide. But because every signature needs to be validated, we actually need to collect double that amount – around 800,000. And keep in mind, these need to be in-person signatures – you can’t sign online.

Reasons for disqualification

• signature on the petition doesn’t match the one on in the voting file
• the signer has moved or isn’t registered to vote.

We also need to make sure that those signatures are collected from across the state. The requirement is to gather signatures from 5% of the gubernatorial voters from each of 44 counties in the states (that’s half of Ohio’s 88 counties!). 800,000 signatures from 44 counties is a heavy lift, but we can do this, Ohio!!

Signatures collected don’t expire. If we don’t collect the required amount in time, we can still get the initiative on the ballot for 2024. But we’re going to do everything we can to make this happen for 2023 to restore access to abortion and help women in need NOW.

Yes. If you signed the petition in late February, you need to sign the petition when the main push to gather 800,000 signatures begins. What you signed then was the initial phase of signature collection to file ballot language with the Ohio Attorney General.

After the Supreme Court reversed Roe v Wade last summer, an Ohio law banning abortions after 6 weeks’ gestation immediately went into effect. However, the courts soon placed an injunction on that law, and abortion up to 22 weeks is currently legal in Ohio. This injunction won’t stay in place forever, though, so we need to enshrine reproductive freedom and abortion access into the Ohio Constitution. That’s what this ballot initiative will ensure.

Yes, abortion is still legal and providers in Ohio can currently see patients up to 21 weeks and 6 days gestation. Learn what your rights are today and what is at stake in the future.