John,

Last week, the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down the state’s 176-year-old abortion ban—a vital win for abortion rights in a state where the pro-choice majority has shown up en masse to elect pro-choice judges.

In a 4–3 decision, the court overturned a “zombie law” written in 1849 (before women could vote!) that threatened access to care after the fall of Roe v. Wade. Anti-abortion lawmakers tried to revive it, but thanks to the power of voters and the courts, it’s now off the books.

Let’s be clear: this ruling only happened because voters flipped the ideological balance of Wisconsin’s Supreme Court in 2023, electing Justice Janet Protasiewicz in what was then the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history.

That momentum has continued. Earlier this year, our movement elected progressive Judge Susan Crawford—defeating a candidate backed by tens of millions from Elon Musk and anti-abortion groups—and secured Wisconsin’s newly won court majority through at least 2028.

As anti-choice attacks continue at the federal level, wins like this make it clear: the path to reproductive freedom runs through state and local elections.

This November, more than 800 judicial positions will be on ballots across the country, including three key state supreme court races in Pennsylvania. And looking ahead to 2026, the stakes grow even higher: 19 states, including Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin, will elect state supreme court justices.

State supreme courts have become one of the most powerful forces shaping abortion rights in the post-Roe era, ruling on cases that impact access to care—as well as voting rights, redistricting, ballot measures, and more.

Wisconsin shows us what’s possible when we win—and that’s why we’re not slowing down.

With solidarity and hope,

Team Vote Pro-Choice