COLUMBUS — A proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution that would limit vaccine mandates imposed by businesses, health care providers and governments is a step closer to the statewide ballot, our news partners at 10TV in Columbus reported.
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The Ohio Ballot Board unanimously approved the language Tuesday, according to 10TV.
The proposal would prohibit those entitles from discriminating against people based on vaccination status or mandating any vaccine, medical procedure, treatment or medical device.
Supporters must next collect thousands of valid signatures from registered voters, equal to at least 10% of votes that are cast in the 2022 gubernatorial election, 10TV said.
It would not appear on a statewide ballot until 2023 at the earliest.
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Diana Smith, a certified medical assistant from Bradford, said she helped initiate the petition not out of opposition to vaccines, 10TV reports. But to ensure Ohioans are, “free to do their own research and do what they want with their bodies without fear of losing their livelihood.”
“This isn’t just about Covid-19,” Smith said. “I’m not an anti-vaxxer, I’m anti-mandate, I’m anti-discrimination.”
Two other initiators are affiliated with the nonprofit, nonpartisan group Ohio Advocates for Medical Freedom, which lobbies for Ohioans to be able to refuse any medical procedure or treatment.