Wisconsin Voters Will Decide Three Amendments in November
The ballot measures address gubernatorial veto powers, religious services, and discrimination in state programs.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Law
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Wisconsin voters will head to the polls on November 3, 2026, to decide on three proposed constitutional amendments. These measures address gubernatorial veto authority, restrictions on religious services during emergencies, and non-discrimination requirements for government programs.
Why it matters
The proposals emerge as a legislative response to specific executive actions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2023 budget process. These amendments aim to curtail the governor's power to influence state policy through partial vetoes and emergency mandates.
The ballot includes an amendment prohibiting the governor from using partial veto authority to create or increase taxes or fees. Additionally, the measures seek to explicitly ban state-imposed limits on religious services and prohibit government discrimination.
The players
Tony Evers
He is the Governor of Wisconsin who previously utilized partial vetoes for school funding and implemented emergency health restrictions.
Wisconsin State Legislature
This body is responsible for drafting and placing the proposed constitutional amendments onto the upcoming state ballot.
The details
The proposed amendments include a provision that would prohibit discrimination based on race, sex, ethnicity, and national origin in government programs. Legislators placed these measures on the ballot to directly address Governor Tony Evers' previous use of executive power, including the 2023 partial veto regarding school funding and pandemic-era restrictions that limited religious gatherings to fewer than 10 people.
Timeline
2023: Governor Evers enacted a partial veto on school funding.
COVID-19 pandemic: Governor Evers limited religious services to under 10 people.
November 3, 2026: Wisconsin voters decide on the three constitutional amendments.
Political Context
Opponents of these measures argue that the amendments could severely limit the executive branch's ability to respond to future crises and budget necessities. They contend that restricting the partial veto and emergency powers undermines the governor's established role in balancing state legislative agendas.
If approved, these amendments would change the legal limitations on future gubernatorial vetoes and emergency health orders. Residents will see direct shifts in how the state government manages its budget and public health crisis responses following the election results.
The takeaway
These ballot measures represent a significant effort by the legislature to codify constraints on executive power into the state constitution. Voters should review each specific amendment, as their passage would permanently alter how Wisconsin handles future emergency declarations and budget negotiations.
What happens next
Voters will cast ballots on these three constitutional amendments during the General Election scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the legal framework governing these ballot measures, see Wisconsin Law.
More information
Find complete details regarding the upcoming measures at the November 3 general election ballot information.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WLUK.
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