Vote No Wisconsin

Wisconsin voters will be asked two questions to amend (change) the constitution on their August ballot. These potential changes will impact both the process for distributing federal money, and who has the power to make those decisions. These large sweeping changes will impact a wide range of issues voters care about, from education to the environment to how quickly the government can respond to emergencies (like a public health crisis or a natural disaster). The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin knows that if these amendments are passed they will be harmful to the people of our state. We urge voters to VOTE NO on both questions.

Voters must be prepared to answer these questions in the August 13, 2024 election.

The questions on voters’ ballots:

❌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?”

What does a “Yes” or a “No” vote mean?

➕A “yes” vote supports amending the state constitution to prohibit the legislature from delegating its power to appropriate money.

➖A “NO” vote opposes amending the state constitution to prohibit the legislature from delegating its power to appropriate money.

❌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?”

What does a “Yes” or a “No” vote mean?

➕A “yes” vote supports amending the state constitution to require legislative approval from both the senate and assembly before the governor can expend federal money appropriated to the state.

➖A “no” vote opposes this amendment, thereby allowing the governor to accept and allocate federal funds without seeking an approval vote from the state legislature.

Stance: The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin opposes these constitutionalamendment questions and urges voters to VOTE NO on both questions.

 

Who Opposes These Questions

Organizations: League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Education Association

Council, Wisconsin Association of Local Health Departments & Boards, Wisconsin

Conservation Voters, Wisconsin Public Health Association

 

Why You Should VOTE NO on BOTH Constitutional Amendment

Ballot Questions

Reasons to Vote No on Question 1 and Question 2

  1. Wisconsinites deserve a well-resourced government that is able to fund necessary programs and infrastructure like our roads in a timely manner (especially in emergencies). These changes to our state constitution would add red tape and slow the government’s ability to respond to emergencies when we need help the most – harming our communities and Wisconsin families.
  1. Our tax dollars go toward federal funds that support our schools, infrastructure, parks, health care, renters, small businesses, public benefits and so much more. They provide relief to Wisconsinites in urgent times of crises such as natural or economic disasters and public health emergencies. When Wisconsin gets federal funds, it’s our money coming back to us.
  1. Our current legislators were elected under non representative voting maps which means they are not responsive to Wisconsin voters. In times of need Wisconsinites cannot afford to have their relief held up in legislative gridlock.
  1. It is easier for Wisconsin voters to hold the governor accountable for how federal funds are spent than the entire legislature. The governor is accountable to the whole state. The governor was elected in a fair, statewide election and entrusted to deal with federal money.
  1. These changes are not fixing a problem. Our laws already give legislators a say in how tax dollars are spent through the state budget-making process. This change does not belong in our state constitution.

 

Messaging

  • Wisconsinites take care of one another. When natural disasters like floods or Tornadoes hit our communities;, we need relief money quickly. These proposed amendments could drag out the process and delay necessary federal funds from getting to the folks who need it. #VoteNoWisconsin❌on both constitutional amendments this August.
  • At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wisconsin State Legislature was one of the least active in the country. Legislators refused to come to work to deliver relief for Wisconsinites. Fortunately, our Governor could quickly distribute emergency federal funds to the communities who needed it most. We need to ensure the governor can continue to distribute these funds efficiently and effectively, without unnecessary red tape. That’s why we’re voting NO on both constitutional amendments this August. #VoteNoWisconsin❌
  • It’s no secret that Wisconsin’s legislature spends more time playing partisan games than acting on the issues most Wisconsinites care about. When natural disasters strike, we don’t have time to wait for the slow-moving legislature to get funds to communities in need. This measure would deprive our communities of needed resources while our legislators play partisan games such as gaveling in and out of session thus failing to govern at all. That’s why we’re voting NO on both constitutional amendments this August. #VoteNoWisconsin
  • Our federal tax dollars support Wisconsin families, farmers, renters, small businesses, food banks, public benefits, the arts, education and more. Our tax dollars support Wisconsinites, make Wisconsin stronger and help us in urgent times of crises. This measure would add more red tape that would slow down our money coming back to us. #VoteNoWisconsin❌on both constitutional amendments this August.
  • When elected officials try to pass knee-jerk laws that affect the distribution of federal funds to the programs that need it most, they are preventing the governor from fulfilling one of their most important duties. In August, we’re voting no ❌ to both amendments because we know how important it is to have an efficient and timely funding process. #VoteNoWisconsin
  • Lawmakers serving under gerrymandered, nonrepresentative voting maps want to take control of our state’s federal funds by preventing the governor from making key decisions on how to allocate resources to the people and communities of Wisconsin. We’re voting NO❌on these amendments because we know how important it is to have a just, efficient and timely funding process when Wisconsinites need it most. #VoteNoWisconsin
  • Our state relies on critical funding for our schools, infrastructure, parks, health care, and so much more. We’re voting NO❌on both constitutional amendments in August so that our governor can accept and allocate federal funds without being stopped or delayed by the legislature. #VoteNoWisconsin
  • For our state to be well-funded, we need our government to accept federal funding and disperse it quickly. This measure would enable our legislature– voted into office under gerrymandered, nonrepresentative voting maps – to deprive our communities of needed resources. That’s why we’re voting NO❌on both constitutional amendments in August. #VoteNoWisconsin

 

  • This August, Wisconsinites will be voting on two constitutional amendment questions. We’re calling for voters to #VoteNo❌on BOTH because these changes would tie the hands of the governor we elected and prevent essential federal funding from getting to the Wisconsinites who need it. #VoteNoWisconsin on both constitutional amendments this August.
  • Like we saw this April, constitutional amendment questions on the ballot are broad-sweeping and confusing – this is no accident! Clerks, election heroes and voting rights organizations are now dealing with uncertainty and asking for legal clarification because the harmful April constitutional amendment questions passed. Wisconsin says NO to confusing, harmful and sweeping changes to our constitution. We’re voting NO on both amendments this August.

#VoteNoWisconsin ❌

  • The Constitution ensures that the three branches of government are equal and have their own set of duties. Our government is like a three-legged stool – take out a leg and everything comes crashing down. The legislature wants to take away the governor’s duties for themselves. This will create an imbalance in our government. That’s why we’re voting NO on both constitutional amendments this August.

#VoteNoWisconsin❌