Ohio voters have adopted an amendment enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution.

Why it matters: The amendment, labeled Issue 1 on yesterday's ballot, guarantees a person's right to an abortion and other reproductive care up until fetal viability, which is usually about 23 to 24 weeks.

State of play: Abortion rights advocates overcame several obstacles in the lead-up to yesterday's vote.

• An August special election proposed making it more difficult for Issue 1 to succeed by raising constitutional amendments' passage threshold to 60%.
• But Ohioans rejected that proposal, so yesterday's ballot issue needed only a simple majority to pass.
• The margin was 57% to 43%, per unofficial results from the Ohio Secretary of State.

What they're saying: "Tonight, Americans once again voted to protect their fundamental freedoms — and democracy won," President Biden said in a statement.

• Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio joined other abortion rights groups in praising the ruling as "a new beginning for Ohio, where individuals now have the right to make their own reproductive decisions without government interference."

The other side: "This isn't the end. It is really just the beginning of a revolving door of ballot campaigns to repeal or replace Issue 1," Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) said.

Of note: Two high-turnout, presidential year elections are expected next year.

What's next: Yesterday's result will effectively prevent a law banning abortions once fetal cardiac activity is detected — usually at about six weeks of pregnancy — from standing.

• The law took effect for about three months in 2022 but has been on hold amid a legal challenge before the Ohio Supreme Court.
• Other existing state laws could also be challenged in court, such as requiring those seeking an abortion to wait 24 hours.

What we're watching: Republican state lawmakers may act to ban abortion after fetal viability, as the new amendment allows.

Read more

About 57% of Ohioans also voted to legalize recreational marijuana usage for those 21 and older.

Why it matters: Ohio can now fully participate in a rapidly growing legalized marijuana market that studies estimate will generate hundreds of millions in tax revenue.

State of play: The new law allows those of age to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis in most forms and grow up to six plants at home, with a household max of 12 plants.

• Sales will be taxed at 10%, with proceeds mostly going toward addiction services, communities with cannabis facilities and a "cannabis social equity and jobs fund."

Yes, but: The public's vote is not the final word on marijuana legalization.

• This was an initiative, not a constitutional amendment — meaning state lawmakers can adjust or even repeal the law.
• State Senate President Matt Huffman says the legislature will review the law and potentially change its tax proceeds.

What they're saying: The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, which organized the ballot issue, said the result shows "Ohio voters are clear on the future they want for our state: adult-use marijuana legal and regulated!"

The big picture: The law goes into effect in 30 days.

• If it stands without legislative interference, Ohio would join 23 other states where recreational marijuana is legal.
• A previous legalization initiative failed here in 2015 by a nearly 2-1 ratio.

Between the lines: The result does not necessarily render Ohio's medical marijuana program moot.

• The state will issue initial business licenses within nine months to cultivators, processors and dispensaries already in operation, with more to come as the demand for recreational products develops.

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther won a third term to lead a place he has long called America's "Opportunity City."

State of play: With 63% of the vote, he defeated challenger and perennial candidate Joe Motil, who ran an issues campaign focused on housing, community policing and the environment.

• Ginther declined to debate Motil but took the challenge seriously enough to address his opponent in TV and mail advertisements.

What's next: The mayor's third term is expected to bring further efforts to reduce a historically high violent crime rate, much-needed infrastructure improvements and a sweeping rewrite of the city's zoning code.

Meanwhile, City Council elections featured districts for the first time and grew the body from seven to nine members.

• The entire city voted on every district race.

District winners:

• 1: Chris Wyche
• 2: Nancy Day-Achauer
• 3: Rob Dorans
• 4: Emmanuel Remy
• 5: Nick Bankston
• 6: Melissa Green
• 7: Shayla D. Favor
• 8: Lourdes Barroso De Padilla
• 9: Shannon Hardin

An opposition campaign and rising housing costs didn't thwart Columbus City Schools' latest levy.

Catch up quick: 55% of voters approved the issue, which will generate $99 million annually, according to unofficial election results.

By the numbers: One-third ($38.6 million) will fund general operating expenses.

• The remaining $60.5 million will bolster the district's permanent improvement fund to finance ongoing facility maintenance and replace items like buses and laptops.

What's next: Collection begins in January and the levy does not expire.

• Homeowners' annual property taxes are expected to increase by $179 for every $100,000 of appraised home value, per the Franklin County Auditor's Office.

Meanwhile, the Columbus Board of Education will welcome two new faces.

• Union lawyer Sarah Ingles and district graduate Brandon Simmons, a former student activist, will replace Carol Beckerle and Eric Brown, who didn't seek re-election.

A quick recap of results from elsewhere in Franklin County:

• Columbus library levy ✅
• Canal Winchester school levy ✅
• Dublin school levy and bond issue ✅
• Groveport Madison school levy ✅
• Grandview Heights electric aggregation ✅
• Valleyview tax levy ❌

More Franklin County results