Referenda on the August 13 Primary Ballot
Learn more: Wisconsin Primary Election 2024: Constitutional Amendments
In addition to primary races (detailed in a later section of this page), the August ballot included two referendum questions regarding proposed amendments to the Wisconsin Constitution. These amendments were adopted by Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature in response to recent disputes between the legislature and Gov. Tony Evers (D) regarding the allocation of federal funds received during the COVID-19 pandemic and the power of the legislature to review spending decisions made by the executive branch.
The text of the questions as they appeared on the ballot is as follows:
Question 1: “Delegation of appropriation power. Shall section 35 (1) of article IV of the constitution be created to provide that the legislature may not delegate its sole power to determine how moneys shall be appropriated?”
Question 2: “Allocation of federal moneys. Shall section 35 (2) of article IV of the constitution be created to prohibit the governor from allocating any federal moneys the governor accepts on behalf of the state without the approval of the legislature by joint resolution or as provided by legislative rule?”
In Wisconsin, the main way to amend the state constitution is for the legislature to pass a proposed amendment in two consecutive legislative sessions (in this case, the 2021-22 and 2023-24 sessions) which must then be approved by voters during the next available statewide election. The governor plays no role in this process.