NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin : Take Action : Action Alerts

On Tuesday, April 7, voters will go to the polls to elect a Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice and our next Superintendent of Schools. Make your voice heard. Spring elections are typically very low turnout so your vote matters now as much as ever.

Not sure how or where to vote? Click here to find out.

Less than 2 years ago, in a 5-4 decision, with two anti-choice Justices appointed during the Bush administration siding against women’s health, the U.S. Supreme Court departed from years of precedent and declared that a ban on a safe abortion method can ignore women’s health. The anti-choice majority on the U.S. Supreme Court signals a dangerous shirt that could further undermine the core protections of Roe v. Wade.

If Roe falls, the Wisconsin Supreme Court could be the deciding body of whether abortion stays safe and legal in Wisconsin. During the two years since the U.S. Supreme Court decision, Wisconsin has elected two anti-justices to our own Supreme Court. Wisconsin women cannot afford to put one more anti-choice Justice on the bench. We need a Supreme Court that protects privacy and a woman’s right to choose.

Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson has served on the Wisconsin Supreme Court since 1976 and as Chief Justice since 1996. Chief Justice Abrahamson went from being the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court to being the first woman elected its Chief Justice. Under her leadership, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has been recognized by prominent legal publications for the national impact of its decisions. Abrahamson has won awards from the American Judicature Society and the American Bar Association for her public service along with dozens of other honors. Abrahamson has maintained the integrity demanded of a Justice, being impartial in all of her judicial cases and decisions throughout her extensive experience on the Supreme Court.

Randy Koschnick is endorsed by anti-choice group Wisconsin Right to Life. Koschnick describes himself as “being in the same school of thought” as U.S. Supreme Court Justices John Roberts, Antonin Scalia, and Clarence Thomas, all three of whom ruled in favor of declaring a ban on a safe abortion method legal even when a woman’s health is at risk. (Isthmus, 3/12/09)

NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin has not made an endorsement in this race because we may be involved as a party in future cases in front of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. However, our right to privacy and our access to confidential health care, including the right to access birth control and legal abortion, are at stake.

Wisconsin’s teenagers need medically accurate and comprehensive sex education including information about both abstinence and birth control to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. With more than 10,000 teen pregnancies in Wisconsin each year and one fourth of all teenage girls in our state contracting a sexually transmitted illness, we count on those at the helm of Wisconsin’s public school system to support and promote comprehensive sex education for our children.

Tony Evers has been endorsed by NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin because he is the only candidate who will ensure that teens get the education they need for a safe and healthy future. Tony Evers currently serves as the Deputy State Superintendent of Public Schools and has dedicated his life to public education having served over 34 years as a teacher, principal, and administrator. Evers is also supported by the Wisconsin Education Association Council, Madison Teachers Inc., the School Administrators Alliance and other proponents of quality public education.

Rose Fernandez does not believe every teenager in Wisconsin deserves accurate and comprehensive sex education stating, “This is a decision best left to local district administrators and school boards.” Fernandez is endorsed by anti-choice legislators Bob Ziegeglbauer and Leah Vukmir. (Wisconsin Family Council’s 2009 Voter Information Publication)

We need a County Executive who will be a leader and a champion for women and families. Dane County’s Health and Human Services Departments are critical to ensuring access to contraception, reproductive health care and information, sexually transmitted illness prevention, and more for all of Dane County’s residents and particularly for low-income and vulnerable women in our community.

Kathleen Falk is endorsed by NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin in her bid for reelection because she has been a strong advocate for women, families, and health care during her last 12 years as County Executive. Kathleen Falk has consistently made health and human services a priority in the county’s budget. Women in Dane County can count on Falk’s leadership and strong support of public health and human services to ensure access to reproductive health care including birth control, quality pre-natal care, and prevention of sexually transmitted illnesses.

Nancy Mistele was endorsed by Wisconsin Right to Life during her previous unsuccessful run for office. She has described herself as “100% pro-life” even in cases of rape or incest or to protect the life of the mother (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/11/98; Capitol Times 10/8/98). Instead of prioritizing health and human services, Mistele will “find out ways to streamline work or shift dollars from this program to that” (Isthmus, 1/29/09).

NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin relies on your support to win elections for Kathleen Falk and other pro-choice candidates. Help us elect pro-choice and pro-women candidates with your contribution today. Click here to make your secure on-line donation.