Tag: wisconsin
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On this day in 1848, voters ratified the Wisconsin Constitution, one of the oldest constitutions still in effect today
On this day, March 13, 1848, Wisconsin voters ratified the state constitution with a vote of 72.5%-27.5%. This constitution is still in effect today. This was not the first ratification that was presented to voters. In 1846, Wisconsin voters approved a measure to form a state government, and the state’s first constitutional convention convened later…
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Over the past two weeks, ballot measures certified in New Mexico and Wisconsin, signatures for initiatives submitted in California and Colorado
As of March 3, 71 statewide measures have been certified for the ballot in 32 states, 10 more measures than the average number certified at this point in other even-numbered years over the past decade (2014 to 2024). Here’s an update on the latest ballot measure activity during the past two weeks: The last signature…
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Wisconsin voters to decide on a constitutional amendment related to the governor's partial veto powers in 2026
The Wisconsin State Legislature approved a constitutional amendment related to the governor's veto powers for the Nov. 3, 2026, statewide general election ballot. Legislators passed the amendment on Feb. 19, 2026. Senate Joint Resolution 116 Introduced as Senate Joint Resolution 116 (SJR 116) on Dec. 30, 2025, the constitutional amendment would prohibit the governor from…
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A look at gubernatorial battlegrounds in 2026
Thirty-six states are holding elections for governor in 2026. Of those, Ballotpedia has identified seven as general election battlegrounds: These battleground races were selected using the following criteria. For more information on our methodology, click here: In addition to the competitiveness data above, races were included if they were particularly compelling or meaningful to the…
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Wisconsin Legislature places two constitutional amendments on the ballot, addressing emergency closure of places of worship and preferential treatment by government entities
The Wisconsin State Legislature advanced two proposed constitutional amendments on Jan. 21, 2026, for the statewide general election ballot for Nov. 3, 2026. Both amendments were also approved during the previous legislative session. In Wisconsin, a proposed constitutional amendment must receive majority approval in each legislative chamber during two consecutive sessions before it can be…
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How Wisconsin’s partial veto power has evolved through 95 years of ballot measures
The Wisconsin Supreme Court upheld Gov. Tony Evers’ (D) use of a partial veto in the state’s biennial budget on April 18, 2025. His partial veto extended a two-year school funding increase into a 402-year provision. At the center of the case were constitutional provisions that had been added or amended through three ballot measures…
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Wisconsin school board president faces April 22 recall election
A recall election against Angela Hansen-Winker, president of the Wrightstown Community School District Board of Education in Wisconsin, is being held on April 22, 2025. Nicole Verbeten is running against Hansen-Winker in the election. Whoever receives the most votes will finish Hansen-Winker’s term, which is due to expire in 2026. The group Residents 4 Wrightstown…
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Four out of five elections were uncontested in Illinois, Wisconsin on April 1
Illinois and Wisconsin held a combined 18,641 elections on April 1, primarily local elections to school boards, city councils, and other special districts. But, in both states, it was clear who the winners would be in a majority of those elections since more than four out of every five elections were uncontested. An uncontested election…
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Jonathan Curtis and Melinda Lemke won two Wrightstown School Board seats in Wisconsin
Jonathan Curtis and Melinda Lemke defeated Amber Cox and Jeff Nelson for two seats on the seven-member Wrightstown Community School District Board of Education in Wisconsin on April 1, 2025. Lemke received 28.7% of the vote, Curtis received 25.4%, Cox received 23.3%, and Nelson received 22.7%. Curtis and Lemke, an incumbent, ran a joint campaign…
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Wisconsin voters approve measure to add voter photo ID to state constitution
On April 1, Wisconsin voters approved a constitutional amendment to add voter photo ID to the state constitution. As of April 2, the margin was 62.74% to 37.26%. State law already requires photo ID to vote. By adding the requirement to the Wisconsin Constitution, Question 1 effectively raised the threshold to make changes to the…