Proposed Constitutional Changes on the April 2, 2024 Ballot
Wisconsin Constitutional amendments are on the April ballot. These will be binding and added to our Constitution if passed. On the surface they seem innocuous and logical. However, when assessing the immediate impact they will have on how our elections are run, they are damaging to voter access. LWV Wisconsin is urging voters toVote No.
The questions on voters’ ballots
❌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?"
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. 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 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 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.
Click HERE for more information. Click HERE for a recording of a presentation discussing these proposed amendments.
Please help spread the word. Most voters are unaware of these proposed amendments.