State of Wisconsin Eligibility to Vote Referendum Explained

How to Decide Whether to Vote “Yes” or “No” on the State of Wisconsin Eligibility to Vote Referendum

MADISON, WISCONSIN (OnFocus) – On November 5, Wisconsin voters will vote on a State of Wisconsin Eligibility to Vote Referendum.

It states: “Eligibility to vote. Shall section 1 of article III of the constitution, which deals with suffrage, be amended to provide that only a United States citizen age 18 or older who resides in an election district may vote in an election for national, state, or local office or at a statewide or local referendum?”

Sometimes the wording can be confusing, so we make an unbiased effort to explain what voting “yes” or “no” on this amendment means…

What a “Yes” Vote Means

A “yes” vote on the Wisconsin Eligibility to Vote Referendum means that you support amending the Wisconsin Constitution to clarify that only U.S. citizens who are 18 or older and reside in an election district can vote in national, state, or local elections, as well as in statewide or local referendums. The amendment would specify that voting is reserved for citizens, reinforcing the requirement already in place.

If passed, this would be a constitutional amendment, ensuring that the state’s laws on voting rights explicitly state that non-citizens cannot vote.

People might vote “yes” on the Wisconsin Eligibility to Vote Referendum for several reasons, often centered around clarifying and reinforcing existing voting laws. Here are some arguments for voting “yes”:

1. Clarification of Voting Eligibility: A “yes” vote would amend the Wisconsin Constitution to explicitly state that only U.S. citizens age 18 or older can vote. Supporters may feel this provides additional clarity and legal reinforcement of current laws, ensuring there is no ambiguity in the constitution about who is eligible to vote.
2. Preventing Future Confusion: Some voters may believe that explicitly adding citizenship requirements to the constitution could prevent future efforts to extend voting rights to non-citizens, even at the local level, which has been considered or allowed in some U.S. cities for local elections.
3. Election Integrity Concerns: Those who prioritize election integrity may feel that this amendment strengthens safeguards against voter fraud or unauthorized voting, even if such instances are rare. They might view it as a proactive measure to protect the sanctity of elections.
4. Public Confidence in Voting Laws: Supporters may feel that reinforcing voting laws through a constitutional amendment can boost public trust in the electoral system by addressing any concerns that non-citizens might be allowed to vote.
5. Alignment with Other States: Some may point out that other states have passed similar amendments, and Wisconsin might want to follow suit to ensure consistency in voter eligibility laws across the country.

A “yes” vote would likely appeal to those who prioritize clear, explicit constitutional protections around citizenship and voting.

What a “No” Vote Means

A “no” vote on the Wisconsin Eligibility to Vote Referendum means that you oppose amending the Wisconsin Constitution to add this specific wording regarding voting eligibility. This would leave the current language of the constitution unchanged, which already includes citizenship and age requirements for voting but without the additional clarification proposed in the referendum. Voting “no” would maintain the status quo without explicitly adding the phrasing “only a U.S. citizen” in the constitution.

People might vote “no” on the Wisconsin Eligibility to Vote Referendum for several reasons, despite the fact that current laws already require U.S. citizenship to vote. Here are a few potential arguments for voting “no”:

1. Redundancy: Some voters may feel the amendment is unnecessary because the requirement that only U.S. citizens can vote is already established by federal and state laws. They might see it as a symbolic or redundant change that doesn’t add any new protections or benefits.
2. Concern About Hidden Agendas: Some voters may worry that the amendment is part of a broader political strategy. They might fear it could lead to future voter suppression efforts or be used as a pretext for passing laws that make it harder for certain groups, particularly minorities or vulnerable populations, to vote.
3. Perception of Misdirection: Opponents may believe that the referendum is an attempt to misdirect voters’ attention from more pressing voting rights issues, such as gerrymandering, voter ID laws, or election security.

Each side has different reasons, and a “no” vote could be driven by concerns over intent, necessity, or future implications.

Some Questions to Help Decide “Yes” or “No”

1. Is this amendment necessary?

• Yes: If you believe the current laws might be unclear or could benefit from being explicitly stated in the constitution, you may be inclined to vote yes to ensure that only U.S. citizens can vote.
• No: If you feel the existing laws are clear and sufficient without needing this constitutional amendment, you may lean toward voting no, as you see the change as unnecessary.

2. Am I concerned about non-citizen voting?

• Yes: If you’re concerned that non-citizens might be voting, or could vote in the future without stronger protections, you might vote yes to reinforce the requirement that only U.S. citizens can vote.
• No: If you believe non-citizen voting is not a significant issue in Wisconsin, you may vote no, viewing the amendment as addressing a problem that doesn’t exist.

3. Do I view this as a symbolic or meaningful change?

• Yes: If you see this amendment as a meaningful change that strengthens voting protections, or as a necessary clarification, you might vote yes to support it.
• No: If you view the amendment as largely symbolic or redundant (since citizenship is already required to vote), you may vote no because you don’t see the amendment as making a substantial difference.

4. What are the long-term implications?

• Yes: If you believe the amendment will help protect election integrity and have positive long-term effects on voting laws, you might vote yes to support it.
• No: If you’re concerned that the amendment could be used in the future to justify restrictive voting measures or lead to unintended consequences, you might vote no to avoid these potential risks.

5. Am I worried about voter suppression?

• Yes: If you’re concerned that this amendment could be a step toward more restrictive voting laws or voter suppression, you may vote no to prevent that outcome.
• No: If you don’t believe this amendment will lead to voter suppression or feel it’s simply a reasonable clarification, you may vote yes to support the proposed change.

Make sure you are registered to vote! Visit www.MyVote.Wi.Gov to check your status.

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