Ohio voters have rejected state Issue 1, which sought to make it harder for voters to pass constitutional amendments, the Associated Press has projected.

Despite strong support in Highland County and the surrounding area, Issue 1 is projected to fail statewide, according to the Ohio Capital Journal.

These are just some of the amendments to the Ohio constitution that passed, but received less than 60 percent of votes — the new threshold proposed by Issue 1.

Roughly $35 million has flowed to political groups aiming to influence Ohio’s August special election. That includes money for campaigns for or against the ballot measure raising the threshold for constitutional amendments, as well as several closely aligned organizations.

The Highland County Democratic Party is inviting all voters who would like to understand Issue 1 to The Alley Neighborhood Grille, Aug. 2 at 6 p.m.

Backers and opponents of Issue 1, the proposed Ohio constitutional amendment that would raise the bar for passing future amendments, squared off in a televised debate Tuesday night. Their arguments didn’t break new rhetorical ground, but the forum’s broad reach may encourage more voters to turn out.

The latest release from a Suffolk University/USA Today poll conducted earlier this month indicates a strong majority of Ohioans support a reproductive rights amendment. Importantly, just as past polls have suggested, that backing falls at 58 percent, just short of the 60 percent threshold that could be necessary for passage if Issue 1 is approved by Ohio voters on Aug. 8.

Early voting figures for the Ohio Aug. 8 special election are surpassing even the most optimistic expectations. Through seven days of early voting more than 116,000 Ohioans have shown up at their local board to cast a ballot. Another 38,000 have absentee ballots have made their way in as well.

Early voting is ongoing for the upcoming Aug. 8 special election on Issue 1 that asks voters to make it harder to amend the Ohio Constitution by raising the threshold to 60 percent.

Early voting began Tuesday for Issue 1, the amendment on the Aug. 8 ballot requiring all future Ohio Constitutional amendments clear 60 percent for passage. Lawmakers put the proposal on the ballot, and they’ve faced criticism from the outset. Opponents argued — correctly — that lawmakers wanted to change the rules in order to undermine an abortion rights amendment.

Issue 1, a ballot initiative that asks Ohio voters if the state should strengthen the petition process and raise the threshold to 60 percent for approving constitutional amendment proposals, has the support of Ohio Farm Bureau.