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Wisconsin Question 4, Remove Suffrage for Noncitizens with Citizenship Intent Amendment (1908)

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Wisconsin Question 4

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Election date

November 3, 1908

Topic
Citizenship voting requirements
Status

ApprovedApproved

Type
Legislatively referred constitutional amendment
Origin

State legislature



Wisconsin Question 4 was on the ballot as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment in Wisconsin on November 3, 1908. It was approved.

A "yes" vote supported ending the practice of allowing noncitizens with a declared intention of becoming citizens to vote in Wisconsin starting December 1, 1912.

A "no" vote opposed ending the practice of allowing noncitizens with a declared intention of becoming citizens to vote in Wisconsin.


Election results

Wisconsin Question 4

Result Votes Percentage

Approved Yes

85,838 70.01%
No 36,773 29.99%
Results are officially certified.
Source


Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Question 4 was as follows:

For the amendment providing that after December 1, 1912, electors shall be citizens of the United States.


Constitutional changes

PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO SUB-SECTION 2 OF ARTICLE III OF THE CONSTITUTION—Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring. That sub-section 2 of section 1 of article 3 of the constitution of the state of Wisconsin be amended so as to read as follows: 2. Persons of foreign birth who, prior to the first day of December, A. D. 1908, shall have declared their intentions to become citizens conformable to the laws of the United States on the subject of naturalization; provided that the rights hereby granted to such persons shall cease on the first day of December, A. D. 1912.

Path to the ballot

See also: Amending the Wisconsin Constitution

A simple majority vote is required during two legislative sessions for the Wisconsin State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 50 votes in the Wisconsin State Assembly and 17 votes in the Wisconsin State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

See also


Footnotes