Political parties hoping to use reproductive rights to push voter turnout

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A national pro-choice leader was in Wisconsin Friday, Oct. 4, campaigning for abortion rights with Senator Tammy Baldwin just one month before the election.

But a conservative figurehead also made a surprise announcement on the issue.

This election could be determined by voter turnout, so both parties are using the abortion issue to get people to the polls.

Melania Trump frustrated many conservatives by backing reproductive rights.

But pro-choice leaders aren't buying it.

Alexis McGill Johnson is the president & CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. She told us, "Abortion is on the ballot, it's on the ballot in all 50 states."

McGill Johnson flew into battleground Wisconsin Friday to campaign on an issue that could have a significant impact on voter turnout this November.

She says while abortion rights are protected in Wisconsin for now, they could be in jeopardy if Republicans win control of congress or the presidency.

Many conservatives want to codify a federal abortion ban if former president Donald Trump wins back the White House.

But a surprise came Friday.

Former First Lady Melania Trump defended abortion rights in a post promoting her upcoming memoir.

In the video, she said, "Individual freedom is a fundamental principle that I safeguard."

It frustrated many in the pro-life camp, especially after the Former President pushed for years to overturn Roe v Wade.

At rallies, he's insisted that allowing states to decide will resolve the issue.

But recently, Trump has seemingly softened his stance.

Just Friday, he again said he would not support a federal abortion ban, adding he would veto one as president.

But pro-choice advocates don't believe him.

McGill Johnson said, "I have to question if it's a real softening, or whether or not it's just something that's politically convenient."

Democrats up and down the ticket have remained steadfast in their support for reproductive rights.

Kamala Harris has repeatedly said she would sign a bill to protect abortion rights, if elected president.

Pro-choice advocates say if that does not happen, a federal ban is still on the table.

McGill Johnson said, "Whether you live in Wisconsin or New York or California, you are still under threat for reproductive freedom being undermined or taken away."

We did reach out to several pro-life groups for an interview, but none were available.