Abortion and pot are on the same ballot in Ohio. Experts weigh in on how that might affect...

Ohio voters will decide two controversial issues on the ballot in November — whether to pass a law to legalize marijuana and whether to amend the state’s constitution to include the right to an abortion.

Political experts said how having two controversial issues on the ballot will affect the outcomes of either will depend on several factors.

Older voters will likely come out in force, as they usually do, said Paul Beck, professor emeritus of political science at Ohio State University. They likely will be more inclined to vote against both measures, he said.

So younger voters might be key to victory or defeat of those two issues, he said. Both issues are popular with younger voters, Beck said, and Issue 1’s defeat shows some are energized already.

“And I expect them to be drawn in November as well for both reasons — both for the marijuana legalization, as well as for the right to abortion amendment,” Beck said.

Beck believes those who oppose the abortion amendment will hit it hard, saying it’s extreme. But he said he’s not sure that will resonate with many voters because the amendment is very close to what was in place before the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade last summer.