Ohio lawmakers and other elected officials have a habit of trying to circumvent the will of the people, no matter how loudly Buckeye State residents have spoken. Another example comes in the collection of state laws that combine to create a 24-hour waiting period for abortions.

Franklin County Common Pleas Judge David C. Young rightly issued a temporary block on those laws, pointing to the decision by voters in 2023 to approve a constitutional amendment guaranteeing access to the procedure.

Young went so far as to remind lawmakers the language of 2023’s Issue 1 was “clear and unambiguous.” He also said the provisions lawmakers tried to cobble together do NOT advance patient health.

“This is a historic victory for abortion patients and for all Ohio voters who voiced support for the constitutional amendment to protect reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy,” Jessie Hill, cooperating attorney for the ACLU of Ohio, said.

Lawmakers don’t like it, though, when the people they are elected to serve give them clear direction as to what that means. Whether it be redrawing voting maps, legalizing adult-use recreational marijuana, implementing a fair and constitutional school funding formula, or guaranteeing access to abortions, if lawmakers have their own agendas or “respectfully disagree” as state Attorney General Dave Yost’s spokesperson put it, they’ll either drag their feet or blatantly throw up roadblocks to the people’s will.

That is not their job, and they know it. What a shame so many elected public officials believe they have been elevated to a position of being able to tell voters their will is being ignored for their own good. Perhaps Young’s ruling will remind at least those with a conscience they serve us, not themselves. If not, voters will have to send a stronger reminder, for OUR own good.