Ohio voters will decide in a week whether they want to protect abortion rights.

Advertising is flooding the state to promote both pro-life and anti-abortion stances.

Ohio Capital Journal reported that abortion supporters in Ohio have raised three-times more money than their opponents.

Catholic News Agency (CNA), a news agency, reported that an organization called Catholics for Choice had placed billboards in the state to encourage Catholics to support a referendum on abortion.

Catholics for Choice announced recently that it would be installing 30 billboards in the state. This includes the seven biggest metropolitan areas.

A billboard proclaims, “Pro-choice Catholics – you are not alone.” Vote yes on Issue 1.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a factsheet stating: “The Catholic Catechism states that the Church affirms the moral evil of any procured abortion since the first century. This teaching is unchanged and will remain so. ‘”

Issue 1 allows every person the right to choose between abortion, contraception and fertility treatment. It also includes miscarriage, continuing a pregnancy, and continuing care for a miscarriage.

CNA reported that although the language permits some restrictions on abortions after “viability,” normally occurring at 24 weeks, pro-life groups have warned the measure’s ambiguous wording could allow abortions up to birth, and remove parental notification and consent rules for minors who get abortions.

Brian Hickey is the executive director of the Catholic Conference of Ohio. He told CNA that it was sad that individuals who identify themselves as Catholics would spread a message which puts pregnant women and children at risk.

We pray that they will embrace the message of Christ’s solidarity with the marginalized, and join in the Church’s commitment towards accompanying migrants and the poor.

Rachel Del Guidice is the communication director of Ohio Right to Life. She says that Catholics in Ohio will most likely vote “no”, on Issue 1.

“It’s imperative that every Catholic vote ‘no. ‘No Catholic can in good conscience turn a blind-eye to Nov. 7.” Del Guidice, writing in The Catholic Times, said that if Ohio Catholics vote “yes” and Issue 1 passes we will be responsible for allowing such a diabolical evil to exist in our state.

“Catholics are bound to defend life.” We can’t stand by and do nothing if we hold to the core beliefs of our religion.

Ohio Republican Gov. The Washington Post reported that Mike DeWine is a Catholic and appeared in an ad recently with his wife, urging voters to “no”. They also warned the proposal was “not right” for Ohio.