Wisconsin Voters Approve Constitutional Amendment
GOP backers say amendment will block possibility of noncitizens voting in local elections.
A voter enters a polling location Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in New Berlin, Wis. Angela Major/WPR
Wisconsin voters have agreed to amend language in the state’s constitution that limits voting to U.S. citizens.
Wisconsin’s Constitution already requires voters to be U.S. citizens through language that specifies, “Every United States citizen age 18 or older who is a resident of an election district in this state is a qualified elector of that district.”
The proposal passed by voters Tuesday amends that language and changes the word “every” in that sentence to “only.” It also adds a clause spelling out that the citizenship requirement applies to national, state and local elections.
A summary of the amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution passed by voters Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2024.
Supporters say changes block possibility of noncitizens voting in local elections
GOP state lawmakers who brought the proposal to the ballot say the constitutional changes will make sure Wisconsin’s citizenship requirement for voters remains ironclad.
“With the passage of Question 1, voters have delivered an unmistakable message: Wisconsin elections will be decided by U.S. citizens, not far-left activists who would turn the ballot box into a petri dish for extremist policies,”
Republican supporters of the proposal have said it will block the possibility of noncitizens voting in local Wisconsin elections at some point in the future.
Across the country, there are more than a dozen communities in other states that allow allow noncitizens to vote in local elections, such as mayoral or school board races.
No communities in Wisconsin allow noncitizens to vote, however. And, even without the constitutional amendment, it’s not clear whether pre-existing Wisconsin law would have allowed local officials to legalize local voting for noncitizens.
“Courts in other states have reached divergent conclusions about whether provisions akin to Wisconsin’s current constitutional text allow municipalities to authorize local noncitizen voting,” read an analysis from the State Democracy Research Initiative at the University of Wisconsin Law School.
Nonetheless, state Rep. Tyler August, R-Walworth, said the amendment will “close a loophole that could potentially lead” to noncitizens voting at the local level.”
“I believe that the people of the state will overwhelmingly support this change to ensure that their right to vote isn’t disenfranchised by someone who is not a U.S. citizen, canceling their vote out,” August said on the floor of the Assembly last year.
Illegal voting by noncitizens is extremely rare
Federal law already makes it illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections. Wisconsin laws also limits voting to U.S. citizens, and the state’s voter registration form requires someone to check a box affirming that they’re a U.S. citizen.
Illegal voting by noncitizens is exceedingly rare, research has found.
Additionally, critics of the referendum have argued that it could weaken voting rights, by changing language guaranteeing the right to vote from “every” U.S. citizen to “only” U.S. citizens. The groups that opposed the changes included the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin and Wisconsin’s League of Women Voters.
The proposal got to the ballot after being approved by Wisconsin’s Republican-controlled state Legislature in two consecutive legislative sessions.
Historically, Wisconsin voters have been likely to say yes to proposed constitutional amendments.
Over the state’s history, there have more than 200 constitutional amendments on statewide ballots, and more than 70 percent of those proposals have passed.
Wisconsin’s proposal on noncitizen voting is part of a national trend. This November, voters in seven other states considered similar state constitutional amendments to explicitly limit voting to U.S. citizens.
Wisconsin voters OK changes to constitutional language on citizens and voting was originally published by Wisconsin Public Radio.
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Amazed by how little advertising / mail / texts went out on voting NO on this. Was hoping this would’ve been closer but I think even with increased messaging it would’ve failed. Shame.
Better start carrying a copy of your birth certificate everywhere.
jmpehoski :
Along with other forthcoming government-issued papers.
The vote on this amendments I feel indicates the shallow thinking of many voters. There is a Federal and State Law which already limits voting to citizens. Many persons voting for Trump are reportedly excited about the changes he will make. However, there is no information on what he will do to help the he middle class and voters seem happy to vote for him keeping their ignorance of not knowing what he will do. When prices are many goods go up because of his tariffs, he will find someone to blame except for what actually happened.