[Milwaukee, WI] – Reproductive Justice Action Milwaukee (RJA-M) applauds the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors who voted in favor of putting an advisory referendum on the spring ballot regarding State Statute 940.04, which currently bans abortion at any stage of pregnancy without exception for rape, incest, or health of the patient in the State of Wisconsin. The board had considered an identical referendum in July 2022 which failed to be added to November’s ballot. Today the advisory referendum passed with 14 yay’s, 3 no’s, and 1 abstention. RJA-M thanks the county supervisors who shared personal experiences and put forth statements in favor of this advisory referendum reminding everyone that this is about a person’s right to privacy and reproductive control, not abortion.
RJA-M encourages all Milwaukee County Residents to vote yes on the advisory referendum in the April 2023 election 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940.04, which bans abortion at any stage of pregnancy without exception for rape, incest, or health of the patient, be repealed to allow legal access to abortion care?” 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. 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.
