Wisconsin Question 4, Term Length Wording Amendment (April 1979)
| Wisconsin Question 4 | |
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| Election date |
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| Topic Constitutional wording changes and State executive elections |
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| Status |
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| Type Legislatively referred constitutional amendment |
Origin |
Wisconsin Question 4 was on the ballot as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment in Wisconsin on April 3, 1979. It was approved.
A "yes" vote supported amending the constitution to clarify wording about constitutional officers' four-year terms. |
A "no" vote opposed amending the constitution to clarify wording about constitutional officers' four-year terms. |
Election results
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Wisconsin Question 4 |
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| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
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533,620 | 76.41% | ||
| No | 164,768 | 23.59% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Question 4 was as follows:
| “ | Making the 4-year terms understandable. Shall section 1 of article V and section 1 of article VI of the constitution be amended, and shall sections lm and ln of article V and sections lm, ln, and lp of article VI of the constitution be repealed, to make it more understandable that constitutional officers in this state have been elected to 4-year terms since 1970? | ” |
Constitutional changes
Note: Hover over the text and scroll to see the full text.
[Article V] Section 1. The executive power shall be vested in a governor; who shall hold his office for two 4 years; a lieutenant governor shall be elected at the same time; and for the same term.
Section 1m. Notwithstanding section 1, beginning with the general election in 1970 and every four years thereafter, there shall be elected a governor to hold office for a term of four years.
Section 1n. Notwithstanding section 1, beginning with the general election in 1970 and every four years thereafter, there shall be elected a lieutenant governor to hold office for a term of four years.
[Article VI] Section 1. There shall be chosen by the The qualified electors of the this state, at the times and places of choosing the members of the legislature, shall in 1970 and every 4 years thereafter elect a secretary of state, treasurer and attorney general, attorney general who shall severally hold their offices for the term of two 4 years.
Section 1m. Notwithstanding section 1, beginning with the general election in 1970 and every four years thereafter, there shall be chosen a secretary of state to hold office for a term of four years.
Section 1n. Notwithstanding section 1, beginning with the general election in 1970 and every four years thereafter, there shall be chosen a treasurer to hold office for a term of four years.
Section 1p. Notwithstanding section 1, beginning with the general election in 1970 and every four years thereafter, there shall be chosen an attorney general to hold office for a term of four years.[1]
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
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source.
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