logo
Brief Publisher Logo
FACT BRIEF

Has Wisconsin allowed voters to decide on approving a new abortion law?

By Tom Kertscher
View this fact brief on Wisconsin Watch
Copy link
email
Copy featured image
email
NO

The Legislature has proposed allowing voters to approve an abortion ban, but the governor plans to veto the bill.

A Dane County judge ruled that an 1849 Wisconsin law prohibits attacking a woman in an attempt to kill her fetus, but does not apply to consensual medical abortions.

The law had been considered an abortion ban. The ruling is under appeal.

On Jan. 19, Republican lawmakers introduced a bill that would put a referendum on the April 2 ballot. The referendum would ask voters to generally ban abortion after 14 weeks of pregnancy, down from the current 20 weeks.

To get to referendum, the Legislature must pass the bill and the governor would have to sign it.

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has vowed to veto “any bill that makes reproductive health care any less accessible for Wisconsinites."

Townhall.com updated its related, misleading headline after Wisconsin Watch contacted the outlet.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
WisPolitics Dane County Circuit Court Decision and Order
AP News Wisconsin Republicans introduce a bill to ban abortions after 14 weeks of pregnancy
Wisconsin State Legislature AB975: Bill Text
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Wisconsin Watch
Wisconsin Watch, the news arm of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Its work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.
FACT BRIEF BY
Brief Publisher Logo
Latest fact briefs from Wisconsin Watch
facebook
twitter
email
email
About fact briefs published on Gigafact
Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.