Wisconsin voters will be asked to decide three proposed amendments to the state constitution in the Nov. 3 general election, addressing the governor’s partial veto authority, religious gatherings during emergencies and discrimination by government entities.

Each question asks voters whether a particular provision should be added to or amended in the Wisconsin Constitution. A “yes” vote supports adopting the proposed amendment, while a “no” vote opposes the change and would leave the existing constitutional language unchanged. The proposed three amendments are as follows:

Question 1: Partial Veto Referendum

The first referendum concerns the Wisconsin governor’s authority to exercise a partial veto on legislation, stated as follows:

“Partial veto. Shall section 10 (1) (c) of article V of the constitution be amended to prohibit the governor, in exercising his or her partial veto authority, from creating or increasing or authorizing the creation or increase of any tax or fee?”

Wisconsin’s partial veto authority allows the governor to reject portions of certain legislation without vetoing the entire bill. The proposed amendment would place an additional constitutional restriction on that authority, specifically concerning taxation and fees.

A “yes” vote would prohibit the governor from using the partial veto to create or increase a tax or fee, or authorize such an action. A “no” vote would leave the existing constitutional provisions unchanged.

Question 2: Freedom to Gather in Places of Worship During an Emergency

The second proposed amendment addresses religious liberty and the authority of government officials to restrict gatherings during emergencies, stated as follows:

“Freedom to gather in places of worship during an emergency. Shall section 18 of article I of the constitution, which deals with religious liberty, be amended to prohibit the state or a political subdivision of the state from ordering the closure of, or forbidding gatherings in, places of worship in response to a state of emergency, including a public health emergency?”

Under the proposed amendment, state and local governments would be constitutionally prohibited from ordering the closure of places of worship or forbidding gatherings in those locations in response to a state of emergency, including a public health emergency.

A “yes” vote would establish the proposed protection in the Wisconsin Constitution. A “no” vote would leave the constitution unchanged.

Question 3: Governmental Entity Discrimination Prohibited

The third referendum would create a new section of the Wisconsin Constitution addressing discrimination and preferential treatment by government entities, stated as follows:

“Governmental entity discrimination prohibited. Shall section 27 of article I of the constitution be created to prohibit governmental entities in the state from discriminating against, or granting preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, public education, public contracting, or public administration?”

A “yes” vote would add the proposed amendments to the state constitution, while a “no” vote would maintain the constitution in its present form.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has come out against question 3, calling it misleading and stating that it would erase equity gains made over the past 60 years.