(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court has heard oral arguments regarding the state’s 19th century abortion ban.
The ban, dating to 1849, has no exceptions. The Republican District Attorney for Sheboygan County, Joel Urmanski, asked the court to overturn a 2023 lower court ruling that invalidated the ban. A judge ruled it did not apply to consensual abortions.
“I fear that what you are asking this court to do is to sign the death warrants of women,” said Justice Jill Karofsky. “This is the world gone mad.”
Justice Rebecca Dallet also spoke.
“In 1849, we’re talking about a time when the only people who had rights were white men,” Dallet said.
Both justices are among the court’s liberal majority.
The ban was in place until the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 ruling on Roe v. Wade legalized abortion nationwide.
Wisconsin lawmakers never repealed the ban, and those who argued in support of reinstatement said it was reactivated two years ago when the high court overturned Roe.
The state’s Supreme Court leans left by 4-to-3.
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