WISCONSIN. VOTERS TAKE A STAND IN FAVOR OF THE DEATH PENALTY

Wisconsin voters took a stand in favor of the death penalty, passing a referendum that asked whether the state should restore use of the death penalty in certain cases.
It was approved by more than half of voters. The death penalty measure was advisory only, meaning lawmakers and the governor would have to approve legislation to bring back the penalty that was abolished in 1853. The referendum on Tuesday's ballot asked voters whether the death penalty should be enacted for anyone convicted of first-degree intentional homicide if there is DNA evidence to support.
The measure won by a vote of 55 percent to 45 percent margin. The referendum's sponsor, State Sen. Alan Lasee, R-De Pere, said that with the comfortable margin of voter support on the issue, he will pursue a pro-death penalty law in next year's legislative session. However, he conceded that the re-elected Democrat Gov. Jim Doyle would likely veto any such measure. A newly Democratic-controlled Senate will present another obstacle. Wisconsin is among 12 states without the death penalty.