On the November General Election ballot, Wisconsin voters will face three proposed constitutional amendments passed by the state legislature. These measures alter our state constitution and limit key executive, public safety, and equity functions. The Dunn County Democrats recommend voting NO on all three measures.

Question 1: Governor’s Partial Veto Authority

What it Says: "Shall section 10 (1) (c) of article V of the constitution be amended to prohibit the governor, in exercising his or her partial veto authority, from creating or increasing or authorizing the creation or increase of any tax or fee?"

What it Means: This amendment would strip the Governor's ability to use partial vetoes to protect local funding or revenue streams in the state budget.

Why Vote NO?

• Protects Funding for Local Schools: The Governor's partial veto is a crucial tool to safeguard funding for public education, essential services, and local infrastructure against legislative cuts.

• Preserves Executive Checks & Balances: Wisconsin’s constitution deliberately grants the executive branch partial veto power to balance legislative budget power. This amendment weakens the governor’s ability to defend public investments.

• Defends Local Communities: Without executive leverage, rural counties like Dunn risk seeing state-level funding reallocated away from essential public services.

Question 2: Ban on Closing Places of Worship During Emergencies

What it Says: "Shall section 18 of article I of the constitution, which deals with religious liberty, be amended to prohibit the state or a political subdivision of the state from ordering the closure of, or forbidding gatherings in, places of worship in response to a state of emergency, including a public health emergency?"

What it Means: This amendment would permanently ban state and local officials—including county health departments—from closing or restricting mass gatherings at places of worship during declared public health emergencies.

Why Vote NO?

• Ties the Hands of Public Health Experts: During extreme public health crises, state and local health officials need flexible tools to keep all community members safe.

• Unnecessary Constitutional Fix: Religious freedom is already deeply protected by both the U.S. and Wisconsin Constitutions.

• Puts Communities at Risk: Carving out blanket exemptions during biological or health emergencies limits local emergency responses and endangers vulnerable populations.

Question 3: Ban on Government Equity & Anti-Discrimination Initiatives

What it Says: "Shall section 27 of article I of the constitution be created to prohibit governmental entities in the state from discriminating against, or granting preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, public education, public contracting, or public administration?"

What it Means: This amendment targets and restricts diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across state agencies, local governments, and public education institutions (including UW-Stout).

Why Vote NO?

• Threatens Support Programs: Opponents point out this broad language endangers initiatives aimed at supporting veterans, older adults, small business owners, and underrepresented groups.

• Undermines Local Higher Education: This measure targets equity initiatives at public universities like UW-Stout that are designed to build inclusive learning environments and workforce pipelines.

• Reverses Progress: True fairness requires active efforts to remove historical barriers. This amendment hinders efforts by local and state governments to foster equity in public hiring and contracting.

Voter Resources & Learning More

To check your voter registration status, request an absentee ballot, or find your polling location, visit official election portals:

• Check Your Ballot & Polling Place: MyVote Wisconsin

• Statewide Measure Details: Ballotpedia 2026 Wisconsin Ballot Measures Overview

• Nonpartisan Measure Analysis:

  • Wisconsin Watch Coverage of Constitutional Amendments

  • Wisconsin Democracy Campaign’s Press Release on Question 3

  • League of Women Voters - Wisconsin’s Toolkits on Question 3