Voters In Milwaukee Co. Will See Abortion Referendum In April

MILWAUKEE, WI — Voters across Milwaukee County will find an advisory referendum about abortion law on their ballots when they head to the polls in April.

The Milwaukee County Board on Thursday adopted the measure which will ask voters "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940.04, which bans abortion at any stage of pregnancy without exception for rape, incest, or health of the patient, be repealed to allow legal access to abortion care?"

The referendum as proposed said county residents "should have the opportunity to voice their opinion." The question is set to be on the ballot alongside elections for the Wisconsin Supreme Court plus a special election for the state senate in Milwaukee's northern suburbs. The board passed the measure 14-3, with one member abstaining.

"This referendum will not immediately change laws, but it is vital to keep up the pressure on our state politicians in Wisconsin to overturn State Statute 940.04," said a news release from the organization Reproductive Justice Action - Milwaukee. "With this referendum on the ballot, Milwaukee residents will get to have their voices heard on abortion rights which could affect future legislation. Having an abortion referendum on the ballot in Milwaukee County also calls attention to the importance of the Supreme Court election which will affect abortion rights for Wisconsinites in the years to come."

The county board rejected a similar referendum on abortion for the past November election, which saw campaigns for governor and U.S. Senate.

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