Voters give split decision on constitutional amendments to limit governor’s powers, DEI

Wisconsin voters approved a new constitutional amendment, rejected another and a third was too close to vote early Wednesday morning.

The measures were put to a vote by the Republican-controlled Legislature, which adopted them in two consecutive legislative sessions.

As of Wednesday morning, a proposal to limit the governor’s veto power was too close to pass. With 98 percent of votes counted, 50.7 percent of voters wanted to approve the amendment while 49.3 percent wanted to reject it.

A proposed amendment to limit the ability of government officials to close places of worship during a health emergency was rejected by voters.

And an amendment to limit diversity, equity and inclusion programs — designed to prohibit discrimination — was approved by voters.

Question 1: Wisconsin’s partial veto

The first proposal prohibits any future governor from using his partial veto power to raise taxes or fees.

Republicans proposed the measure after Democratic Gov. Tony Evers changed the budget in 2023 to allow school districts to generate revenue by raising property taxes through 2425 — not the “2024-25” school year as passed by lawmakers. The GOP called the so-called “400-year veto” an abuse of power.

The amendment would not override the 400-year veto. But it would limit future vetoes of this type and reduce the broad partial veto power that Wisconsin governors of both parties have used in the past.

Question 2: Freedom to gather in places of worship in case of emergency

The second question asked whether the government could order the closure of a place of worship in a state of emergency.

The amendment came after emergency orders issued early in the COVID-19 pandemic limited in-person religious gatherings to fewer than 10 people.

Voters rejected the proposed amendment, maintaining existing emergency powers for state public health officials.

Question 3: “Discrimination against government entities”

The third question asked whether a “governmental entity” should be prohibited from discriminating or providing preferential treatment to certain groups in contexts such as contracting, employment, and education.

Voters approved the amendment, which will prohibit governments, local school boards, Wisconsin universities and the Wisconsin technical college system from disparate treatment on the basis of race, gender, national origin or ethnicity.

The amendment does not mention discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Other states, including Michigan, have similar provisions in their constitutions. Wisconsin’s proposal comes as Republican lawmakers have joined President Donald Trump’s administration in seeking to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, known as DEI, in education and public hiring.