A Win in Wisconsin
It has been a tense couple of days watching and anticipating the judicial election that could alter the future of reproductive rights and gerrymandering in Wisconsin. However, we saw the promising light at the end of the tunnel as Judge Janet Protasiewicz won. This was a crucial election as Justice Protasiewicz is the first liberal justice in fifteen years to take this seat on Wisconsin’s Supreme Court. She defeated her opponent, Daniel Kelly, by over 10 points. The election produced one of the largest voting turnouts Wisconsin has witnessed, as 1.8 million people voted. This is an astonishing win in terms of voter turnout, and displaying the determination people have to protect abortion rights. In Wisconsin, reproductive rights have been under a distinct threat. After Roe v. Wade was overturned in June of last year, a nineteenth century abortion law – which makes it illegal to perform an abortion unless it is to save the mother’s life – was enacted. This law caused many doctors to stop care in Wisconsin or to practice in another state out of fear of being charged with a felony. That is why close to two million people came out and voted on Wednesday, to overturn this unjust law that dated back to 1849.
This turnout and victory for the pro-choice movement compares to the victory in Kansas over the summer. Furthermore, these two cases show that citizens of these states care deeply about reproductive rights even while large percentages of these voters are Republican. This is a promising outcome for the future of reproductive rights, proving that people will show up when the future of reproductive care is on the line.
In addition to committing to the protection of abortion rights, Justice Protasiewicz intends to end the gerrymandered districts that make it almost impossible for Democrats to win elections. At her victory party, she said, “Our state is taking a step forward to a better and brighter future where our rights and freedoms will be protected.” This victory gives the liberals a 4-3 majority on the Court, which is extremely consequential and a game-changer as Wisconsin was most notably a swing state in the 2020 presidential election. To conclude, Jude Protasiewicz offers a promising outlook for the future of reproductive healthcare in Wisconsin.
How A New Majority On Wisconsin's Supreme Court Could Impact Reproductive Health
Wisconsin Supreme Court Election 2023: Live Results - The New York Times
