Milwaukee Co. Plans Referendum On Gun Restrictions, But Not Abortion

MILWAUKEE, WI — Voters in Milwaukee County can expect to see referendums about legalizing marijuana and banning "military-style" weapons on their ballot in November, but a third referendum on abortion was rejected by the County Board of Supervisors on Thursday, Urban Milwaukee first reported.

The question on gun violence comes in the wake of the deadly mass shootings in Uvalde and Buffalo, while the question on marijuana will be similar to one that was added to ballots in 2018. The questions will be non-binding and aim to gauge public opinion through the Nov. 8 general election.

The question on weapons will read: "Should the Wisconsin Legislature prohibit the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of semi-automatic “military-style” firearms whose prohibition is allowed under the Wisconsin and United States Constitutions?"

Supervisor Dyango Zerpa proposed the resolution, which was adopted 12-5 Thursday, he said in a news release.

"This referendum gives voters a platform to say enough is enough when it comes to gun violence in this country," Zerpa said in a statement.

Zerpa said he is confident the data will show that people want common sense gun reform, adding that the results will be taken directly to the State Legislature and used to propel change.

The question on marijuana will read: "Do you favor allowing adults 21 years of age and older to engage in the personal use of marijuana, while also regulating commercial marijuana-related activities, and imposing a tax on the sale of marijuana?"

Supervisor Steve F. Taylor claimed the referendums were politically motivated.

“Why put these questions on the November ballot when the County Board had no authority to set policy you ask? Because these two ballot measures are meant to ramp up the Democratic vote to re-elect Governor Evers and defeat Senator Johnson," Taylor said in a statement.

In an 11-6 vote Thursday, the question on abortion failed to garner the 2⁄3 support it needed from the Board of Supervisors to get on the ballot. It would have asked: "Should Wisconsin Statute 940.04, which bans abortion at any stage of pregnancy without exception for rape, incest, or health of the patient, be repealed to allow legal access to abortion care?"

Supervisors Patti Logsdon and Deanna Alexander applauded the rejection of the abortion question, and voted against it alongside Shawn Rolland, Anthony Staskunas, Liz Sumner, and Steve Taylor, according to a news release.

In a statement, Alexander called the question misleading but said she highly values bodily autonomy and hearing the will of the public.

"But it must be under informed circumstances, not a one-liner that takes advantage of women afraid of what the future might hold," Alexander said. "The question posed would have failed to recognize that current law allows abortion to save the life of a mother."

Logsdon also commented on the language of the question. She said in a statement: “Not only does this resolution not respect the sanctity of life, but it wasn't even accurate and I'm proud to have stood with the voices of those who could not speak for themselves.”

The state law in question holds that anyone aside from the mother who intentionally destroys the life of an unborn child is guilty of a Class H Felony. The law however does not apply to "therapeutic abortion," which the statute defines as something performed by a physician that is necessary to save the life of the mother.

The referendum on abortion was authored by Supervisor Ryan Clancy, and its failure to pass left several board members disappointed. Clancy released a joint statement on Thursday alongside Supervisors Felisa Martin and Juan Miguel Martinez.

"This resolution would have allowed Milwaukee County residents to voice their opinion on a statewide abortion ban that is 173 years old," the statement read. "Not one single member of the State Legislature, Milwaukee County Board, or any other elected body in our state was alive in 1849 when this law was adopted. Likewise, not a single Milwaukee resident alive today has ever had the opportunity to register their opinion at the ballot box on this law."

"Today, while we lament the decision by our colleagues to vote against this referendum, we applaud the advocacy and passion of those who fought hard to get this on the ballot and who continue to fight for abortion access across Wisconsin."

Federal officials have recently warned doctors across the nation that federal law requires them to act when a woman's life is in danger. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul also sued recently in hopes of having courts determine the 1849 law is not enforceable.