Milwaukee Co. Referendum On Abortion Law Back Up For Consideration

MILWAUKEE, WI — The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors is considering a measure that would add an advisory referendum on abortion law to ballots in the April election, Urban Milwaukee first reported.

The board's finance committee recommended the measure for adoption, with the full board set to consider it on Dec. 15, according to a news release from Supervisor Ryan Clancy, who authored the resolution.

The proposal comes after the board voted down a measure that would have added a similar question in the November election for governor and more. Though the question wouldn't have any immediate binding effect on law, it would seek to gauge public opinion.

See also: Milwaukee Co. Supervisors Applaud Rejection Of Abortion Referendum

The proposed ballot question would read "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940.04, which bans abortion at any stage of pregnancy without exception for rape, incest, or health of the patient, be repealed to allow legal access to abortion care?"

Clancy applauded the finance committee recommending approval.

“The push to get this question on the ballot came not from me, but from individuals and
organizations in our community such as Reproductive Justice Action Milwaukee who want
the ability to weigh in on this most pressing of issues,” said Clancy in a release."

Since July, Reproductive Justice Action Milwaukee has petitioned the board in efforts to make Milwaukee a "safe haven" for abortion access, the organization said in a news release. The group called the step toward a referendum "the first step in allowing Milwaukee County residents' voices to be officially heard on this subject."

If adopted, the referendum would coincide with a race for the Wisconsin Supreme Court plus a state senate seat in Milwaukee's northern suburbs.

"This Supreme Court election is the closest Wisconsin will get to voting on abortion rights state wide," RJA-M wrote in a release. "Having an abortion referendum on the ballot calls attention to the importance of this election and allows Milwaukeeans to have their voices heard."

The resolution would allocate $16,500 to pay for placing the question on the ballots, Clancy said.