While election turnout in the United States is usually a disappointment unless the race for the presidency or a congressional seat is on the ballot, the 2023 election in Ohio broke this trend. In the 2023 Ohio general election neither the President or a member of Congress was on the ballot. However, the voter turnout impressively mimicked numbers close to the midterm, with over 4 million voters casting ballots. This astounding turnout represents a preview of what the general election of 2024 will entail.
What explains the spike in voter turnout?
If one issue divided voters the most in the United States, the issue of abortion would surely claim the title. Following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe V. Wade, 21 states have enforced abortion restrictions to some degree. In 2022 Ohio passed a six week abortion ban. However, an injunction issued by the Ohio Supreme Court has prevented the bill from taking effect. Since then, a grassroots signature campaign organized by pro-choice advocates resulted in Issue 1 being placed on the ballot for the November elections. This constitutional amendment will guarantee a woman’s right to an abortion in most cases.
However, some would argue that it was the special election in August that caused this spike in November. The special election in August was focused on a proposed constitutional amendment, also confusingly referred to as Issue 1, which sought to raise the threshold for a constitutional amendment to pass from a simple majority of 50% to 60%. Naturally, this would have made it far more difficult for Ohio’s pro-choice constitutional amendment to pass in November. The August election drew out three million voters—an astonishing turnout for a special election. Fortunately, for supporters of reproductive rights, the special election issue failed. Both of these factors, the special election in August and the controversial issue of abortion, contributed to the large turnout.
What were the results of the election?
The two main issues in Ohio’s November election were Issue 1 and Issue 2. While the contents of Issue 1 were already discussed, Issue 2 sought to legalize recreational marijuana. Both easily passed, with the election being called shortly after 9PM EDT. Locally, Pepper Pike’s Issue 65 to construct sidewalks along major roads passed by over 30%. Also, Shaker Heights’s school levy passed by 18% (News 5 Cleveland). These results were major victories for Democrats, as Issues 1 & 2 align with the Democrats’ agenda. The local issues that passed tend to favor Democrats as well. The results of these elections will take effect in the coming months.
What do the results mean?
It’s no secret, majority of Americans are most passionate about electing a president. And fortunately, the election results of 2023 provide us with insights into what the 2024 election will consist of. The passing of Issues 1 and 2 show positive signs for Democrats and Joe Biden. From what was seemingly a red stronghold in 2020, the results from this November dampen this sentiment. However, it isn’t all positive signs for the Democrats. With Joe Biden trailing Republican frontrunner Donald Trump by an average of 5% nationally and by an average of 7.5% in the state of Ohio, Joe Biden and the Democrats have work to do (Five Thirty Eight Polls). As Vivek Ramaswamy said in the GOP presidential debate, “We [the Republicans] have become a party of losers.” And according to the results of 2023, Vivek is right. However, with Trump likely on the ballot in 2024, and hopeful signs for him in head to head polls, it is anyone’s game come November.
