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Madison, Wisconsin — Wisconsin voters may face some ballot questions in the upcoming April elections.
Democrats and Republicans want to ask questions on different issues. But not everything that was suggested was cut after Tuesday’s floor session.
Both parties were running against the clock, with just a week to get an advisory referendum on the ballot. Republicans wanted to ask questions about welfare reform, while Democrats wanted to ask voters about abortion rights.
Each effort came at the last minute, as Republicans announced on Friday and Democrats held a press conference on Tuesday.
Gov. Tony Evers is calling for an advisory referendum on abortion rights in Wisconsin. (Spectrum News 1/Anthony DaBruzzi)
“Legislative Republicans continue to ignore the will of the people and continue to pit one another over access to abortion in Wisconsin,” said Senate Minority Leader Melissa Agard, D-Madison, in a statement this morning. told reporters at the announcement.
Democrats gathered in the Governor’s Chamber of the Capitol to propose a joint resolution to give voters a chance to discuss the abortion issue directly at the ballot box.
“Wisconsins overwhelmingly support egg Safe and legal access to abortion,” explained Gov. Tony Evers. “It’s a data-backed statement. There’s no argument.”
An exclusive poll by Spectrum News and Siena College in September found that 72% of Wisconsins think their state needs new legislation. But there were many differing opinions on how far the law should go.
R-Racine State Senator Van Wanggaard gives a floor speech on his bail reform amendment. (Spectrum News 1/Anthony DaBruzzi)
On Tuesday afternoon, Senate Republicans blocked Democrat efforts and instead passed their own advisory referendum on job requirements for childless and able-bodied adults seeking public assistance.
Meanwhile, the Chamber also passed constitutional amendments to reform bail and allow judges to consider factors such as previous violent criminal records and potential threats to public safety.
Two Democrats, Senators Brad Puff and Senator Bob Worch, voted in favor of the amendment passed for the first time in the last session.
“Let’s make something clear right away. This proposal is not about Darrell Brooks.
The effort has been underway since 2017, but has gained momentum in the wake of the 2021 Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy.
“Thirty-two states, not Wisconsin, allow judges to consider public safety bail,” Wanggaard explained ahead of the House vote. “Think about it. When setting bail in Wisconsin, you can’t even consider public safety, you can’t even see it.”
The state legislature plans to address both the constitutional amendment and the Republican advisory referendum on Thursday, ahead of the Jan. 24 deadline for questions on the April ballot.
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