Wisconsin voters approved two constitutional amendments on Nov. 3 and rejected a third, according to unofficial statewide results.
The Republican-controlled Legislature placed all three measures on the ballot after passing them in two consecutive legislative sessions, Wisconsin Public Radio reported.
The results carry direct consequences for local school boards, public hiring and the governor's budget authority.
Partial veto: Question 1 passes narrowly
The closest contest was Question 1, which bars future governors from using their partial-veto power to create or increase taxes or fees. It passed with 50.7% support, according to Associated Press results cited by WSAW. The result was not called until 8:46 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, WPR reported.
The amendment was a direct response to Gov. Tony Evers' 2023 use of his veto pen to change "2024-25" in the state budget to "2425." That move locked in school funding increases for 400 years. Republicans called it an abuse of power.
The amendment will not undo the so-called 400-year veto, WPR reported. It will limit future governors from similar uses of the partial-veto power that governors from both parties have exercised.
Places of worship: Question 2 rejected
Voters rejected Question 2 by a margin of 52% to 48%, according to AP results cited by WBAY. The amendment would have prohibited state and local officials from ordering the closure of places of worship during a declared emergency, including a public health crisis.
The proposal arose from COVID-19 pandemic emergency orders that limited indoor, in-person religious gatherings to fewer than 10 people, WPR reported. By rejecting the amendment, voters maintained existing emergency powers for state public health officials.
DEI and preferential treatment: Question 3 approved
Question 3 passed with 56.4% support, according to AP results cited by WSAW. The amendment prohibits government entities from discriminating against or granting preferential treatment to any individual or group based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in public employment, education, contracting or administration.
The amendment will bar governments, local school boards, the Universities of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Technical College System from disparate treatment on those bases, WPR reported. It does not address discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Philip Rocco, a political science professor at Marquette University, told WISN before the election that the amendment's language was ambiguous. He said existing federal and state laws already prohibit discrimination, and that the key clause was "granting preferential treatment."
Rocco said the measure was less about discrimination and more about programs that acknowledge disparities and try to address them. He said passage could make it easier for organizations to challenge those programs in court.
WPR reported the proposal came as Republican lawmakers joined President Donald Trump's administration in seeking to curtail diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in education and public hiring. Other states, including Michigan, have similar provisions in their constitutions.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported the results marked mixed success for Republicans, who advanced the questions to the ballot but lost their legislative majority on election night.
