There will be two questions on the April 2 ballot to amend the WI Constitution. These changes are BAD and would undermine our elections. We need to ensure our clerks are supported and have the resources they need to keep our elections running smoothly and securely. That’s why we ask you to vote NO to both questions.
- These changes to the constitution cannot be vetoed by the governor.
- In fact, they arise from legislation that the governor has already vetoed.
- The GOP dominated legislature is doing an end-run about the governor’s vetoes by amending the constitution.
- These changes do not reflect the will of the people since they are being proposed by an extremely gerrymandered legislature.
THE QUESTIONS
❌Question 1: “Use of private funds in election administration. Shall section 7 (1) of article III of the constitution be created to provide that private donations and grants may not be applied for, accepted, expended, or used in connection with the conduct of any primary, election, or referendum?”
❌Question 2: “Election officials. Shall section 7 (2) of article III of the constitution be created to provide that only election officials designated by law may perform tasks in the conduct of primaries, elections, and referendums?”
WHY VOTE NO
Question 1: “Use of private funds in election administration.
- Elections need to be fully funded. This amendment reduces the options for municipal governments looking for outside sources of funding for elections without providing alternative resources. This change will shift the burden even further onto tax payers.
- This change will have a negative impact on the voter experience and could lead to long lines and wait times at polling places, consolidated polling places, longer waits for election night results, and more due to lack of funding.
- This change does not belong in our constitution. If the legislature wants to make this change, they should work with the governor to do so in a way that ensures our elections are fully funded.
- Vote No on question 1 to ensure our clerks have the support and money they need to keep our elections running smoothly and securely.
Question 2: “Election officials.
- Elections are a lot of work. Clerks rely on a whole host of outside experts, volunteers, and community members to make sure our elections are run smoothly and the results are accurate.
- Voter education organizations, like the League of Women Voters (LWV), play a critical role in informing the public about their right to vote. This proposed change to our constitution ties the hands of our election officials from getting the outside support they need for our elections to function.
- This change does not belong in our constitution. If the legislature wants to make this change, they should work with the governor to do so in a way that ensures our clerks are able to get the support they need to run our elections.
- Vote No to question 2 to ensure our clerks have the support they need to run our elections and voters have the support they need to make informed decisions for our state.
MORE POTENTIAL GOP DRIVEN AMENDMENTS TO COME
Amendments to the Constitution have historically been used to make administrative updates, not address social or political issues or restrict rights. The current legislature is considering introducing several more amendments in the fall 2024 and spring 2025 elections on the following issues:
- Transferring power from the governor to the legislature regarding the receipt of and distribution of federal funds to the public
- Barring non-citizens from voting in local elections
- Requiring a 2/3 supermajority in both chambers to raise the state income tax
- Banning the closure of places of worship during any emergency, including public health emergencies
- Requiring a Voter ID for all elections
- Prohibiting ranked choice voting
- Prohibiting preference hiring based on race, gender or other characteristics
League of Women Voters Resources
Additional materials