Ohio voters just passed abortion protections. When and how they take effect is before the courts

Ohio’s new constitutional protections for abortion access and other reproductive rights take effect Dec. 7, a month after voters resoundingly passed them. How and when their impacts are felt remains unclear. Existing abortion-related lawsuits are moving again through the courts since voters decided the issue, raising questions about implementation. The amendment voters approved Nov. 7 did not repeal any existing Ohio laws relating to abortion or reproductive rights. That has prompted some anti-abortion activists to step up pressure on Republican elected officials to extend their efforts to halt, delay or significantly water it down. It passed with a strong 57% majority of the vote.