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Yes.
Republicans have had the power to place constitutional amendment questions on Wisconsin’s statewide ballots since taking control of the state Legislature in 2011.
To make those amendments, both houses of the state Legislature must pass the proposed change two sessions in a row. Then, a majority of voters must vote “yes” to ratify it.
Republicans have controlled the Legislature since 2011 and have used that power in recent years to pitch changes to the constitution, sometimes putting policies directly to voters that Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has vetoed.
Most votes to advance recent referendums have been along party lines, but occasionally some Democrats voted for them. Republicans in the majority have enough votes to pass them without Democrats, and the governor can’t veto constitutional amendments.
Wisconsin voters have approved seven constitutional amendments since 2020 and rejected two. Three more are on the Nov. 3 ballot.
This Fact Brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
- Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau: Ballot Initiative and Referendum in Wisconsin
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wild Wisconsin primary finish propels race for control of Legislature.
- Wisconsin State Legislature: SJR 116 Assembly Votes
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin voters face 3 referendums. Here's how recent votes have gone
- Wisconsin State Legislature: SJR 2 Assembly Votes
- MyVote Wisconsin: What’s On My Ballot
Have Republicans controlled constitutional amendment questions on Wisconsin ballots for the past 15 years? is a post from Wisconsin Watch, a non-profit investigative news site covering Wisconsin since 2009. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.
