Wisconsin Voters to Decide on Three Republican-Led Amendments

Wisconsin voters will decide on three Republican-led constitutional amendments during the November 3 general election. The proposals target the authority of the governor and the state's approach to religious services and government programs.

One amendment seeks to prohibit the governor from using partial veto authority to create or increase taxes or fees. This proposal follows a 2023 partial veto by Tony Evers that extended school funding for 400 years. A second amendment proposes preventing the state from banning religious services during emergencies, a response to restrictions Evers implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The third amendment aims to ban discrimination based on race, sex, ethnicity, and national origin in government programs. Critics argue this measure specifically targets Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in higher education. While Republican legislators support the measures, Governor Evers has characterized the push as political.