This fall, Wisconsin voters will have the chance to vote “yes” or “no” on three changes to the state constitution.
Here’s what each one does, explained simply. Heartland Post Staff will provide more in depth analysis on each proposed amendment as we get closer to Election Day.
Question 1: Stopping Governors From Sneaking In New Taxes
Wisconsin governors have a special power called a “partial veto.” It lets them cross out parts of a budget bill instead of the whole thing. Sometimes, a governor has used this power in a sneaky way by crossing out words or numbers to create a brand-new tax or make an existing one bigger, even though lawmakers never voted for that. This amendment would stop the governor from doing that. The most egregious example was when Governor Evers used this partial veto authority to create a 402 year property tax hike.
Only the people’s elected representatives in the legislature should get to raise your taxes — not one person editing a bill with a pen. This closes a loophole that lets a governor grab power the constitution never meant to give them. It’s a check on government reaching further into your wallet without a real vote.
Question 2: Protecting Churches From Being Shut Down
This proposed amendment says the government cannot order houses of worship (churches, synagogues, mosques, etc.) to close, or ban people from gathering there, during a declared emergency, including a public health emergency like a pandemic.
This is a direct response to COVID-era lockdowns, when some governments ordered churches closed while allowing other businesses to stay open. This amendment protects religious freedom, one of the most basic rights in the Constitution, from ever being treated as less important than commerce during a future crisis. Faith communities shouldn’t need a government’s permission to gather and worship.
Question 3: Eliminating Government Preferences Based on Race or Sex
This proposed amendment says state and local governments, and public schools, can’t give any person special treatment or discriminate against them because of their race, sex, color, ethnicity, or where they’re from. This covers things like government jobs, school admissions, and government contracts.
Government should treat every citizen the same. That’s what equal protection under the law actually means. This amendment writes into the constitution that people should be judged as individuals, not sorted into groups. It’s meant to stop DEI-style programs and racial preference policies in hiring, school admissions, or contracting from ever taking hold in Wisconsin government.
