Due to a decision from a liberal Dane County judge, elective abortions up to 20 weeks are currently happening throughout the state of Wisconsin, with Planned Parenthood resuming operations in Madison, Milwaukee, and Sheboygan.

In an effort to correct this decision, Assembly Republicans passed legislation this week that proposes to allow Wisconsin voters to have the final say on abortion. The proposal, if passed, would be more pro-life by moving the current 20-week threshold in statute to 14 weeks, and including exceptions for rape, incest, and health of the mother. The voters would be the final decision makers via a binding statewide referendum appearing on the April 2024 ballot.

The first trimester ends and the second trimester begins around 12-14 weeks. Allowing abortions up to 20 weeks (well into the second trimester) is rare throughout the rest of the civilized world. Throughout Europe, for example, the vast majority of countries only allow abortions up to 12-14 weeks.

This change in the law would only go into effect if approved by the voters. Unfortunately, Governor Evers has already said he will stop this from even getting to the voters by vetoing the legislation – a hypocritical move from a Governor fond of repeating "the will of the people is the law of land" in so many of his speeches.

This proposal just makes the most sense. It seeks to obtain voter approval on a very controversial issue while updating our statutes to reflect worldwide norms.