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List of Wisconsin ballot measures

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Wisconsin
LawsHistory
List of measures

Wisconsin ballot measures come in two varieties:


See also: History of direct democracy in Wisconsin

List of election years with ballot measures

2010-2019

2000-2009

1990-1999

1980-1989

1970-1979

1960-1969

1950-1959

1940-1949

1930-1939

1920-1929

1910-1919

1900-1909


1890-1899

1880-1889

1870-1879

1860-1869

1850-1859

1840-1849

All measures

Years

Wisconsin1846
Wisconsin1847
Wisconsin1848
Wisconsin1849
Wisconsin1851
Wisconsin1852
Wisconsin1853
Wisconsin1854
Wisconsin1857
Wisconsin1858
Wisconsin1861
Wisconsin1862
Wisconsin1865
Wisconsin1866
Wisconsin1867
Wisconsin1868
Wisconsin1869
Wisconsin1870
Wisconsin1871
Wisconsin1872
Wisconsin1874
Wisconsin1876
Wisconsin1877
Wisconsin1881
Wisconsin1882
Wisconsin1886
Wisconsin1888
Wisconsin1889
Wisconsin1892
Wisconsin1896
Wisconsin1897
Wisconsin1898
Wisconsin1902
Wisconsin1903
Wisconsin1904
Wisconsin1906
Wisconsin1908
Wisconsin1910
Wisconsin1912
Wisconsin1914
Wisconsin1919
Wisconsin1920
Wisconsin1922
Wisconsin1924
Wisconsin1926
Wisconsin1927
Wisconsin1929
Wisconsin1930
Wisconsin1931
Wisconsin1932
Wisconsin1934
Wisconsin1936
Wisconsin1940
Wisconsin1944
Wisconsin1945
Wisconsin1946
Wisconsin1947
Wisconsin1948
Wisconsin1949
Wisconsin1951
Wisconsin1952
Wisconsin1953
Wisconsin1954
Wisconsin1955
Wisconsin1956
Wisconsin1957
Wisconsin1960
Wisconsin1961
Wisconsin1962
Wisconsin1963
Wisconsin1964
Wisconsin1965
Wisconsin1966
Wisconsin1967
Wisconsin1968
Wisconsin1969
Wisconsin1972
Wisconsin1973
Wisconsin1974
Wisconsin1975
Wisconsin1976
Wisconsin1977
Wisconsin1978
Wisconsin1979
Wisconsin1980
Wisconsin1981
Wisconsin1982
Wisconsin1983
Wisconsin1986
Wisconsin1987
Wisconsin1989
Wisconsin1990
Wisconsin1991
Wisconsin1992
Wisconsin1993
Wisconsin1995
Wisconsin1996
Wisconsin1998
Wisconsin1999
Wisconsin2000
Wisconsin2003
Wisconsin2005
Wisconsin2006
Wisconsin2007
Wisconsin2008
Wisconsin2014
Wisconsin2015
Wisconsin2018
Wisconsin2020
Wisconsin2023
Wisconsin2024
Wisconsin2025


Wisconsin1846

April 7, 1846

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRSS

Question 1 Form the state government

Approveda

12,334 (83%)

2,487 (17%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1846 ballot measures and Wisconsin1846 ballot measures



Wisconsin1847

April 5, 1847

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

CCRCA

Question 1 Ratify the Wisconsin Constitution of 1846

Defeated

14,119 (41%)

20,231 (59%)

CCRCA

Question 2 Grant all male citizens of African descent the right to vote and hold elected office

Defeated

7,664 (34%)

14,615 (66%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1847 ballot measures and Wisconsin1847 ballot measures



Wisconsin1848

March 13, 1848

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

CCRCA

Question 1 Ratify the Wisconsin Constitution of 1848

Approveda

16,799 (72%)

6,384 (28%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1848 ballot measures and Wisconsin1848 ballot measures



Wisconsin1849

November 6, 1849

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRSS

Question 1 Extend equal suffrage to men over the age of 21 regardless of skin color

Approveda

5,265 (56%)

4,075 (44%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1849 ballot measures and Wisconsin1849 ballot measures



Wisconsin1851

November 2, 1851

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRAQ

Question 1 Create a state banking system

Approveda

31,289 (77%)

9,126 (23%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1851 ballot measures and Wisconsin1851 ballot measures



Wisconsin1852

November 2, 1852

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRSS

Question 1 Create the Wisconsin general banking law

Approveda

32,826 (79%)

8,711 (21%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1852 ballot measures and Wisconsin1852 ballot measures



Wisconsin1853

November 8, 1853

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRAQ

Question 1 Create a liquor ban

Approveda

27,519 (53%)

24,109 (47%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1853 ballot measures and Wisconsin1853 ballot measures



Wisconsin1854

November 7, 1854

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Set two year terms for members of the assembly

Defeated

6,549 (36%)

11,580 (64%)

LRCA

Question 2 Set four year terms for members of the senate

Defeated

6,348 (35%)

11,885 (65%)

LRCA

Question 3 Set biennial legislative sessions

Defeated

6,752 (37%)

11,589 (63%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1854 ballot measures and Wisconsin1854 ballot measures



Wisconsin1857

November 3, 1857

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRSS

Question 1 Provide suffrage to African American men over the age of 21

Defeated

28,235 (41%)

41,345 (59%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1857 ballot measures and Wisconsin1857 ballot measures



Wisconsin1858

November 2, 1858

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRSS

Question 1 Modify general banking law in regard to the redemption of bank notes

Approveda

27,267 (91%)

2,837 (9%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1858 ballot measures and Wisconsin1858 ballot measures



Wisconsin1861

November 5, 1861

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRSS

Question 1 Modify the general banking law in regard to the circulation of bank notes

Approveda

57,646 (96%)

2,515 (4%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1861 ballot measures and Wisconsin1861 ballot measures



Wisconsin1862

November 4, 1862

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Raise the salary of the governor to $2,500 per year

Defeated

14,519 (31%)

32,612 (69%)

LRSS

Question 2 Set a maximum interest rate of seven percent

Approveda

46,269 (86%)

7,794 (14%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1862 ballot measures and Wisconsin1862 ballot measures



Wisconsin1865

November 7, 1865

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRSS

Question 1 Provide suffrage to African American men over the age of 21

Defeated

46,588 (46%)

55,591 (54%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1865 ballot measures and Wisconsin1865 ballot measures



Wisconsin1866

November 6, 1866

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRSS

Question 1 Modify the general banking law in regard to taxing shareholders

Approveda

49,714 (72%)

19,151 (28%)

LRCCQ

Question 2 Approve holding a convention to revise the Wisconsin constitution

Defeated

22,431 (42%)

30,862 (58%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1866 ballot measures and Wisconsin1866 ballot measures



Wisconsin1867

November 5, 1867

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Change the pay of legislators to $350 per year

Approveda

58,363 (71%)

24,418 (29%)

LRSS

Question 2 Modify the general banking law in regard to circulation of its money and interest on loans

Approveda

45,796 (79%)

11,842 (21%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1867 ballot measures and Wisconsin1867 ballot measures



Wisconsin1868

November 3, 1868

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRSS

Question 1 Abolish the office of bank comptroller and transfer the duties to the secretary of state

Approveda

15,499 (89%)

1,948 (11%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1868 ballot measures and Wisconsin1868 ballot measures



Wisconsin1869

November 2, 1869

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Increase the salaries of the governor and lieutenant governor to $5000 and $1000, respectively

Approveda

47,353 (53%)

41,764 (47%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1869 ballot measures and Wisconsin1869 ballot measures



Wisconsin1870

November 8, 1870

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Remove the grand jury system

Approveda

48,894 (72%)

18,606 (28%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1870 ballot measures and Wisconsin1870 ballot measures



Wisconsin1871

November 7, 1871

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Prohibit special legislation on nine subjects

Approveda

54,087 (94%)

3,675 (6%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1871 ballot measures and Wisconsin1871 ballot measures



Wisconsin1872

November 5, 1872

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Increase the Supreme Court composition to include one chief and four associate justices

Defeated

16,272 (35%)

29,755 (65%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1872 ballot measures and Wisconsin1872 ballot measures



Wisconsin1874

November 3, 1874

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Limit the debt of counties, cities, towns, villages, and other municipalities to 5 percent of taxable property value

Approveda

66,061 (98%)

1,509 (2%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1874 ballot measures and Wisconsin1874 ballot measures



Wisconsin1876

November 7, 1876

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRSS

Question 1 Incorporate savings banks

Approveda

4,029 (57%)

3,069 (43%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1876 ballot measures and Wisconsin1876 ballot measures



Wisconsin1877

November 6, 1877

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Provide for a Supreme Court composed of one chief and four associate justices

Approveda

79,140 (83%)

16,763 (17%)

LRCA

Question 2 Require that all payment requests to the state be made within six years

Approveda

33,046 (91%)

3,371 (9%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1877 ballot measures and Wisconsin1877 ballot measures



Wisconsin1881

November 8, 1881

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Provide for biennial sessions, two-year assembly terms, four-year senate terms, and $500 yearly salary for the legislature

Approveda

53,532 (79%)

13,936 (21%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1881 ballot measures and Wisconsin1881 ballot measures



Wisconsin1882

November 7, 1882

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Require 30 days of residency for local voter registration

Approveda

36,223 (87%)

5,347 (13%)

LRCA

Question 2 Provide for non-judicial county officer vacancies to be filled by appointment, define the political year and and provide for biennial elections, and provide for full term elections of the Clerk of Court

Approveda

60,091 (88%)

8,089 (12%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1882 ballot measures and Wisconsin1882 ballot measures



Wisconsin1886

November 2, 1886

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRSS

Question 1 Provides for women's suffrage in elections relating to school matters

Overturned

43,581 (53%)

38,998 (47%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1886 ballot measures and Wisconsin1886 ballot measures



Wisconsin1888

November 6, 1888

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Provide for a state superintendent of education elected by the public with qualifications and salary designated by law

Defeated

12,967 (41%)

18,342 (59%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1888 ballot measures and Wisconsin1888 ballot measures



Wisconsin1889

April 2, 1889

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Provide for the state supreme court to be made up of five justices

Approveda

125,759 (90%)

14,712 (10%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1889 ballot measures and Wisconsin1889 ballot measures



Wisconsin1892

November 8, 1892

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Require that the incorporation of any city, town, or village be set by general law only

Approveda

15,718 (64%)

9,015 (36%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1892 ballot measures and Wisconsin1892 ballot measures



Wisconsin1896

November 3, 1896

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Remove the salary limit for the state superintendent of education

Defeated

38,752 (41%)

56,506 (59%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1896 ballot measures and Wisconsin1896 ballot measures



Wisconsin1897

April 6, 1897

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Allow the legislature to create additional circuit court judge positions in counties with over 100,000 people

Approveda

45,823 (52%)

41,513 (48%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1897 ballot measures and Wisconsin1897 ballot measures



Wisconsin1898

November 8, 1898

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRSS

Question 1 Approve revised banking laws passed by the legislature

Defeated

86,872 (48%)

92,607 (52%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1898 ballot measures and Wisconsin1898 ballot measures



Wisconsin1902

November 4, 1902

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Authorize the legislature to enact general banking laws with a two-thirds vote and repeal referendum requirements

Approveda

64,836 (59%)

44,620 (41%)

LRCA

Question 2 Provide for a nonpartisan state superintendent with four year terms and pay fixed by law

Approveda

71,550 (55%)

57,411 (45%)

LRCA

Question 3 Prohibit public officials from receiving free passes and other privileges

Approveda

67,781 (62%)

40,697 (38%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1902 ballot measures and Wisconsin1902 ballot measures



Wisconsin1903

April 7, 1903

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Create a supreme court with seven justices and 10-year terms

Approveda

51,377 (56%)

39,857 (44%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1903 ballot measures and Wisconsin1903 ballot measures



Wisconsin1904

November 1, 1904

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRSS

Question 1 Provide for party nominations by direct vote

Approveda

130,366 (62%)

80,102 (38%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1904 ballot measures and Wisconsin1904 ballot measures



Wisconsin1906

April 3, 1906

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRSS

Question 1 Allow pocket ballot and coupon voting systems

Defeated

45,958 (29%)

111,139 (71%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1906 ballot measures and Wisconsin1906 ballot measures



Wisconsin1908

November 3, 1908

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Allow the state to fund public highway construction and improvement

Approveda

116,407 (71%)

46,762 (29%)

LRCA

Question 2 Authorize a graduated income tax system

Approveda

85,677 (69%)

37,719 (31%)

LRCA

Question 3 Increase the time the governor has to approve or veto a legislative bill from three to six days

Approveda

85,955 (76%)

27,171 (24%)

LRCA

Question 4 End the practice of allowing noncitizens with a declared intention of becoming citizens to vote in Wisconsin

Approveda

85,838 (70%)

36,773 (30%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1908 ballot measures and Wisconsin1908 ballot measures



Wisconsin1910

November 8, 1910

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Set legislators' annual pay at $1000

Defeated

44,217 (37%)

76,310 (63%)

LRCA

Question 2 Require redistricting only after the federal census and remove the requirement for a state census

Approveda

54,784 (51%)

52,664 (49%)

LRCA

Question 3 Provide funding for the preservation and development of state water power and forests

Overturned

62,406 (58%)

45,874 (42%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1910 ballot measures and Wisconsin1910 ballot measures



Wisconsin1912

November 5, 1912

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Extend the time cities and counties must repay debt for land from 20 to 50 years

Approveda

46,420 (57%)

35,022 (43%)

LRCA

Question 2 Allow the state and cities to acquire land for public purposes

Approveda

48,425 (59%)

33,885 (41%)

LRCA

Question 3 Allow the legislature to determine the pay periods of judges on the supreme and circuit courts

Approveda

44,861 (56%)

34,886 (44%)

LRSS

Question 4 Provide for women's suffrage in state statute

Defeated

135,736 (37%)

227,054 (63%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1912 ballot measures and Wisconsin1912 ballot measures



Wisconsin1914

November 3, 1914

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 10 Legislature; Salaries change legislative pay to $600 per year and allow for 2 cents a mile travel compensation

Defeated

68,907 (30%)

157,202 (70%)

LRCA

Question 1 Ballot measures; Legislature Require a three-fifths (60%) vote in a single legislative session for the legislature to refer a constitutional amendment to the ballot

Defeated

71,734 (31%)

160,761 (69%)

LRCA

Question 2 Initiative process Establish an initiative and referendum process in Wisconsin

Defeated

84,934 (36%)

148,536 (64%)

LRCA

Question 3 Public assistance; Insurance Create a state annuity insurance system

Defeated

59,909 (26%)

170,338 (74%)

LRCA

Question 4 Local government Create the right of city and village home rule

Defeated

86,020 (38%)

141,472 (62%)

LRCA

Question 5 Judiciary Allow the legislature to decrease the number of judiciary circuits and increase the number of judges

Defeated

63,311 (29%)

154,827 (71%)

LRCA

Question 6 Recall Create the right to recall elected officials other than judges

Defeated

81,628 (36%)

144,386 (64%)

LRCA

Question 7 Local government; Eminent domain Define the property that can be taken by municipal corporations for public purposes

Defeated

61,122 (28%)

154,945 (72%)

LRCA

Question 8 Initiative process; Ballot measures Allow citizens to petition the legislature for constitutional amendments

Defeated

68,435 (31%)

150,215 (69%)

LRCA

Question 9 Public assistance; Insurance Allow for the creation of a state insurance system

Defeated

58,490 (26%)

165,966 (74%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1914 ballot measures and Wisconsin1914 ballot measures



Wisconsin1919

September 2, 1919

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRAQ

Question 1 Provide a bonus to veterans of World War I through a property and income tax increase

Approveda

165,762 (74%)

57,324 (26%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1919 ballot measures and Wisconsin1919 ballot measures



Wisconsin1920

April 6, 1920

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Allow the pay of legislators to be set by law

Defeated

128,904 (49%)

135,072 (51%)

LRCA

Question 2 Allow the legislature to decide the size and number of circuit courts

Defeated

116,117 (49%)

119,752 (51%)


November 2, 1920

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRAQ

Question 1 Enforce prohibition

Approveda

419,309 (68%)

199,876 (32%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1920 ballot measures and Wisconsin1920 ballot measures



Wisconsin1922

November 7, 1922

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Allow sheriffs to have unlimited successive terms

Defeated

161,832 (44%)

207,585 (56%)

LRCA

Question 2 Allow the legislature to provide that a valid verdict in civil cases be based on a specific number of votes not less than five-sixths

Defeated

171,433 (52%)

156,759 (48%)

LRCA

Question 3 Allow for municipalities to take on debt up to 5 percent of the value of taxable property to fund public utilities

Defeated

105,346 (32%)

219,693 (68%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1922 ballot measures and Wisconsin1922 ballot measures



Wisconsin1924

April 1, 1924

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Set legislators' annual pay at $750

Defeated

189,635 (43%)

250,236 (57%)


November 4, 1924

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Provide cities and counties the ability to create local laws under the constraints of the state constitution and law

Approveda

299,792 (61%)

190,165 (39%)

LRCA

Question 2 Appropriate state funding for the creation and preservation of state forests

Approveda

336,360 (66%)

173,563 (34%)

LRCA

Question 3 Allow for the legislature to provide additional circuit court judges to counties with more than 85,000 people

Approveda

240,207 (51%)

226,562 (49%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1924 ballot measures and Wisconsin1924 ballot measures



Wisconsin1926

November 2, 1926

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Allow for the recall of elected officials

Approveda

205,868 (51%)

201,125 (49%)

LRCA

Question 2 Allow the legislature to set the salary of the governor by law

Approveda

202,156 (52%)

188,302 (48%)

LRAQ

Question 3 Allow for the manufacturing and sale of beer with less than 2.75 percent alcohol content

Approveda

349,443 (66%)

177,602 (34%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1926 ballot measures and Wisconsin1926 ballot measures



Wisconsin1927

April 5, 1927

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Set legislators' pay at $1,000 per session

Defeated

151,786 (43%)

199,260 (57%)

LRCA

Question 2 Allow the legislature to classify forests and minerals for taxation purposes

Approveda

179,217 (56%)

141,888 (44%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1927 ballot measures and Wisconsin1927 ballot measures



Wisconsin1929

April 2, 1929

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Repeal the constitutional setting of the legislature salary to allow it to be set by law instead

Approveda

237,250 (53%)

212,846 (47%)

LRCA

Question 2 Set a limit of two successive terms for sheriffs

Approveda

259,881 (55%)

210,964 (45%)

LRAQ

Question 3 Repeal the prohibition enforcement act known as the Severson Act

Approveda

350,337 (64%)

196,402 (36%)

LRAQ

Question 4 Allow for the manufacturing, sale, and possession of beer of with an alcohol content of less than 2.75 percent

Approveda

321,688 (62%)

200,545 (38%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1929 ballot measures and Wisconsin1929 ballot measures



Wisconsin1930

November 4, 1930

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Allow the governor to veto individual items in appropriation bills without vetoing the entire bill

Approveda

252,655 (62%)

153,703 (38%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1930 ballot measures and Wisconsin1930 ballot measures



Wisconsin1931

April 7, 1931

Type Title Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRAQ

Question 1 Have automobile licenses issued by counties

Defeated

183,716 (33%)

368,674 (67%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1931 ballot measures and Wisconsin1931 ballot measures



Wisconsin1932

April 5, 1932

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRAQ

Question 1 Sunday Repeal a law designating Sunday as a day of rest

Approveda

396,436 (59%)

271,786 (41%)


November 8, 1932

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Salaries; Executive officials Repeal a provision so the governor's salary is established by law

Approveda

452,605 (62%)

275,175 (38%)

LRCA

Question 2 Salaries; Executive officials Repeal a provision so the lieutenant governor's salary is established by law

Approveda

427,768 (62%)

267,120 (38%)

LRCA

Question 3 Impeachment; Constitutional wording Fix a verbal error related to impeachments

Approveda

436,113 (66%)

221,563 (34%)

LRCA

Question 4 Utilities; Budgets Allow municipalities to finance public utilities by mortgage

Approveda

401,194 (59%)

279,631 (41%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1932 ballot measures and Wisconsin1932 ballot measures



Wisconsin1934

April 3, 1934

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRAQ

Question 1 Public retirement funds Create a state pension system

Approveda

531,915 (77%)

154,729 (23%)


November 6, 1934

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Sex and gender; Suffrage States that women have the right to vote and can hold office

Approveda

411,088 (71%)

166,745 (29%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1934 ballot measures and Wisconsin1934 ballot measures



Wisconsin1936

November 3, 1936

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Transportation; Ethics Exclude notaries public and certain railroad and public utility employees from a ban on public officials receiving free passes and other privileges

Approveda

365,971 (50%)

361,799 (50%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1936 ballot measures and Wisconsin1936 ballot measures



Wisconsin1940

April 2, 1940

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRAQ

Question 1 Teachers Repeal a statue known as the teacher tenure law

Approveda

403,782 (52%)

372,524 (48%)

LRCA

Question 2 Taxes; Property; Local government Allow cities, villages, and towns to collect and return property tax with methods like installment payments

Approveda

330,971 (71%)

134,808 (29%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1940 ballot measures and Wisconsin1940 ballot measures



Wisconsin1944

April 4, 1944

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRAQ

Question 1 Education; Taxes Levy a two-tenths of a cent per dollar property tax to aid high schools

Defeated

131,004 (24%)

410,315 (76%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1944 ballot measures and Wisconsin1944 ballot measures



Wisconsin1945

April 3, 1945

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Judiciary Abolish the office of the Justice of the Peace in first class cities

Approveda

160,965 (59%)

113,408 (41%)

LRCA

Question 2 Budgets; Transportation Appropriate state funds for airports and aeronautical programs

Approveda

187,111 (65%)

101,169 (35%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1945 ballot measures and Wisconsin1945 ballot measures



Wisconsin1946

April 2, 1946

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Term limits; Law enforcement Remove limits on successive terms for sheriffs

Defeated

121,144 (42%)

170,131 (58%)


November 5, 1946

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Executive officials Remove a provision that designates the Secretary of State as state auditor and authorize the legislature to perform auditing of state accounts through legislation

Approveda

480,938 (61%)

308,072 (39%)

LRCA

Question 2 School choice Authorize the legislature to provide children with transportation to any private, parochial, or other school

Defeated

437,817 (45%)

545,475 (55%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1946 ballot measures and Wisconsin1946 ballot measures



Wisconsin1947

April 1, 1947

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRAQ

Question 1 Time Authorize daylight saving time

Defeated

313,091 (45%)

379,740 (55%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1947 ballot measures and Wisconsin1947 ballot measures



Wisconsin1948

November 2, 1948

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Eminent domain Allow municipalities to take private property for public use without a jury establishing necessity

Defeated

210,086 (21%)

807,318 (79%)

LRAQ

Question 2 Taxes; Veterans Establish a 3 percent retail sales tax to raise up to $200 million for WWII veteran bonuses

Defeated

258,497 (24%)

825,990 (76%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1948 ballot measures and Wisconsin1948 ballot measures



Wisconsin1949

April 5, 1949

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Budgets; Veterans Allow the state to appropriate money to improve veterans' housing

Approveda

311,576 (52%)

290,736 (48%)

LRCA

Question 2 Taxes; Property Repeal the prohibition on the state taxation of federal lands

Defeated

245,412 (45%)

297,237 (55%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1949 ballot measures and Wisconsin1949 ballot measures



Wisconsin1951

April 3, 1951

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Budgets; Local government Set a debt limit for cities for issuing bonds for school purposes at 8 percent of taxable property value

Approveda

313,739 (62%)

191,897 (38%)

LRCA

Question 2 Taxes; Property Allow for local and state taxation of federal lands when permitted by federal law

Approveda

305,612 (62%)

186,284 (38%)

LRAQ

Question 3 Executive officials; Elections Increase state executive officials' terms of office from two to four years

Defeated

210,821 (39%)

328,613 (61%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1951 ballot measures and Wisconsin1951 ballot measures



Wisconsin1952

November 4, 1952

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRAQ

Question 1 Redistricting Establish senate and assembly districts based on area in addition to population

Defeated

689,615 (48%)

753,092 (52%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1952 ballot measures and Wisconsin1952 ballot measures



Wisconsin1953

April 7, 1953

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Redistricting Provide that the legislature should determine the senate districts based on area and population and the assembly districts based on population

Overturned

433,043 (52%)

406,133 (48%)

LRCA

Question 2 Judiciary; Elections Provide that elected judges hold full terms of office

Approveda

386,972 (53%)

345,094 (47%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1953 ballot measures and Wisconsin1953 ballot measures



Wisconsin1954

November 2, 1954

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRSS

Question 1 Residency requirements Allow people who have resided in Wisconsin for less than one year to vote for president and vice president

Approveda

550,056 (57%)

414,680 (43%)

LRAQ

Question 2 Telecommunications Establish a state-owned, tax-supported statewide TV station

Defeated

308,385 (31%)

697,262 (69%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1954 ballot measures and Wisconsin1954 ballot measures



Wisconsin1955

April 5, 1955

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Budgets State that debt limits for school bonds are based on equalized property value

Approveda

320,376 (58%)

228,641 (42%)

LRCA

Question 2 Judiciary Set new qualifications and a retirement age for justices

Approveda

381,214 (68%)

177,929 (32%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1955 ballot measures and Wisconsin1955 ballot measures



Wisconsin1956

April 3, 1956

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Teachers; Public retirement funds Allow increases in teacher retirement benefits when approved by a three-fourths vote by the legislature

Approveda

365,560 (59%)

255,284 (41%)

LRCA

Question 2 Property; Local government Allow for municipal acquisition of land for public purposes

Approveda

376,692 (66%)

193,544 (34%)

LRCA

Question 3 Term limits; Law enforcement Remove limits for consecutive terms for sheriffs

Defeated

269,722 (45%)

328,603 (55%)

LRCA

Question 4 Transportation; Ethics; Elections Permit the giving of free transportation passes and communications to employees of railroads and other public utilities who are candidates for or hold public office to the same extent as the other employees as long as they are not in the performance of official duties

Defeated

188,715 (33%)

380,207 (67%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1956 ballot measures and Wisconsin1956 ballot measures



Wisconsin1957

April 2, 1957

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRSS

Question 1 Time Set a statewide daylight saving time

Approveda

578,661 (55%)

480,656 (45%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1957 ballot measures and Wisconsin1957 ballot measures



Wisconsin1960

April 5, 1960

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Transportation Permit the state to provide funds for port facility improvement

Approveda

472,177 (51%)

451,045 (49%)


November 8, 1960

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Budgets Set the debt limit for counties with a population of 500,000 or greater based on state equalized property value and not the locally assessed property value

Approveda

686,104 (56%)

529,467 (44%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1960 ballot measures and Wisconsin1960 ballot measures



Wisconsin1961

April 4, 1961

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Budgets Set a debt limit at 10 percent of equalized property value for integrated aid school districts

Approveda

409,963 (65%)

224,783 (35%)

LRCA

Question 2 Term limits; Law enforcement Remove the limit for successive terms of sheriffs

Defeated

283,495 (42%)

388,238 (58%)

LRCA

Question 3 Government continuity Grant the legislature power to keep the government functioning in case of enemy attack

Approveda

498,869 (79%)

132,728 (21%)

LRCA

Question 4 Salaries Allow for an increase in compensation for public officers other than members of the legislature whose terms are four years or more

Defeated

297,066 (49%)

307,575 (51%)

LRCA

Question 5 Eminent domain Remove the need for a jury verdict of necessity for municipal eminent domain and instead grant the power to the legislature to dictate by law

Approveda

348,406 (57%)

259,566 (43%)

LRCA

Question 6 Taxes; Property Separate private and personal property from other merchant property for tax purposes

Approveda

381,881 (63%)

220,434 (37%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1961 ballot measures and Wisconsin1961 ballot measures



Wisconsin1962

November 6, 1962

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Constitutional wording; Redistricting Remove the exclusion of certain Native Americans from redistricting calculations

Approveda

631,296 (71%)

259,557 (29%)

LRCA

Question 2a Local government Provide veto power to county executives in counties with 500,000 people or more

Approveda

524,240 (62%)

319,378 (38%)

LRCA

Question 2 Local government Create the position of a county executive with a four year term in counties with 500,000 people or more

Approveda

527,075 (61%)

331,393 (39%)

LRSS

Question 3 Absentee voting; Residency requirements Give former Wisconsin residents the right to vote by absentee ballot in presidential elections for up to 24 months after moving out of state

Approveda

627,279 (73%)

229,375 (27%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1962 ballot measures and Wisconsin1962 ballot measures



Wisconsin1963

April 2, 1963

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Judiciary Allow for judicial salary increases during the term of office

Defeated

216,205 (39%)

335,774 (61%)

LRCA

Question 2 Budgets Clarify the wording on the calculation of local debt limit and give an increased limit for school bonds

Approveda

291,926 (56%)

231,702 (44%)

LRCA

Question 3 Redistricting State that redistricting will be done at the second legislative session after the federal census rather than the first

Defeated

232,851 (46%)

277,014 (54%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1963 ballot measures and Wisconsin1963 ballot measures



Wisconsin1964

April 7, 1964

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Property taxes; Parks Allow for an increase in property tax to fund forestry projects

Defeated

440,978 (45%)

536,724 (55%)

LRCA

Question 2 Budgets Adjust the basis for valuation of property in local debt limit calculations

Defeated

336,994 (37%)

572,276 (63%)

LRCA

Question 3 Elections Allow multiple related items to be included in a single proposition when submitting proposed constitutional amendments to voters

Defeated

317,676 (35%)

582,045 (65%)

LRAQ

Question 4 Taxes; Transportation Increase the tax on gasoline by 1¢ per gallon to fund highway construction

Defeated

150,769 (14%)

889,364 (86%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1964 ballot measures and Wisconsin1964 ballot measures



Wisconsin1965

April 6, 1965

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Gambling Allow Wisconsin citizens to participate in free promotional lotteries

Approveda

454,390 (70%)

194,327 (30%)

LRCA

Question 2 Local government Abolish the positions of county coroner and county surveyor in counties with a population of 500,000 or more

Approveda

380,059 (64%)

215,169 (36%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1965 ballot measures and Wisconsin1965 ballot measures



Wisconsin1966

April 5, 1966

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Military service; Legislature Allow legislators to retain office while on short-term active duty in the reserves or during an emergency declared by the Governor

Approveda

362,935 (66%)

189,641 (34%)

LRCA

Question 2 Judiciary Abolish the position of Justice of Peace and authorize the establishment of inferior courts

Approveda

321,434 (60%)

216,341 (40%)

LRCA

Question 3 Budgets Create an exemption for special district public utilities from local government debt limits

Approveda

307,502 (61%)

199,919 (39%)


November 8, 1966

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRSS

Question 1 Residency requirements Allow new state residents to vote six months after being in the state

Approveda

582,389 (69%)

256,246 (31%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1966 ballot measures and Wisconsin1966 ballot measures



Wisconsin1967

April 4, 1967

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 State executive Set a four year term of office for the governor and lieutenant governor

Approveda

534,368 (63%)

310,478 (37%)

LRCA

Question 2 State executive Set a four year term of office for the secretary of state

Approveda

520,326 (63%)

311,974 (37%)

LRCA

Question 3 State executive Set a four year term for the office of state treasurer

Approveda

514,280 (62%)

314,873 (38%)

LRCA

Question 4 State executive Set a four year term of office for the attorney general

Approveda

515,962 (62%)

311,603 (38%)

LRCA

Question 5 State executive Establish that the governor and lieutenant governor are to be elected jointly

Approveda

507,339 (62%)

312,267 (38%)

LRCA

Question 6 Term limits Remove a provision that restricted sheriffs to two consecutive terms of office

Approveda

508,242 (61%)

324,544 (39%)

LRCA

Question 7 School choice Permit the legislature to provide transportation to students of private schools

Approveda

494,236 (57%)

377,107 (43%)

LRCA

Question 8 Salaries Permit the legislature to equalize judicial salaries

Approveda

489,989 (60%)

328,292 (40%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1967 ballot measures and Wisconsin1967 ballot measures



Wisconsin1968

April 2, 1968

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Judiciary Set a uniform retirement date for judges and justices

Approveda

734,046 (77%)

215,455 (23%)

LRCA

Question 2 Judiciary Allow judges with at least eight years of service on the supreme or circuit court to be temporarily appointed to the circuit court

Approveda

678,249 (73%)

245,807 (27%)

LRCA

Question 3 Forestry Appropriate funds for forestry purposes from sources other than property tax

Approveda

652,705 (69%)

286,512 (31%)

LRCA

Question 4 Administration; Legislature Allow the legislature to meet in regular session more often than once every two years

Approveda

670,757 (71%)

267,997 (29%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1968 ballot measures and Wisconsin1968 ballot measures



Wisconsin1969

April 1, 1969

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Administration Create an exemption to the requirement for uniformity of county government and give county executives veto power

Approveda

326,445 (50%)

321,851 (50%)

LRCA

Question 2 Budgets Allow the state to contract public debt under certain conditions

Approveda

411,062 (61%)

258,366 (39%)

LRAQ

Question 3 Education; Budgets Make the state responsible for the control and funding of vocational education programs

Defeated

292,560 (42%)

409,789 (58%)

LRAQ

Question 4 Water; Bonds Issue bonds to help with municipal water pollution control

Approveda

446,763 (64%)

246,968 (36%)

LRAQ

Question 5 Parks; Bonds Issue bonds to help buy and develop land for recreational purposes

Approveda

361,630 (53%)

322,882 (47%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1969 ballot measures and Wisconsin1969 ballot measures



Wisconsin1972

April 4, 1972

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Administration Create more than one type of county government

Approveda

571,285 (53%)

515,255 (47%)

LRCA

Question 2 Local government Allow counties with 500,000 people or fewer to choose whether to have an elected coroner or use a medical examiner and permit two or more counties to jointly implement a medical examiner system

Approveda

795,497 (71%)

323,930 (29%)

LRCA

Question 3 Public education governance; Property; Religion; Religion in schools Permit the use of public school buildings by civic, religious, or charitable organizations after hours

Approveda

871,707 (75%)

298,016 (25%)

LRCA

Question 4 Religion; Religion in schools Authorize the legislature to allow public schools to release students during school hours to receive religious instruction elsewhere

Approveda

595,075 (50%)

585,511 (50%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1972 ballot measures and Wisconsin1972 ballot measures



Wisconsin1973

April 3, 1973

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Gambling Allow the legislature to legalize bingo games operated by certain charitable organizations

Approveda

645,544 (62%)

391,499 (38%)

LRCA

Question 2 Sex and gender; Constitutional rights Prohibit the denial or abridgment of rights and protections under the law on the basis of sex

Defeated

447,240 (46%)

520,936 (54%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1973 ballot measures and Wisconsin1973 ballot measures



Wisconsin1974

April 2, 1974

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Public retirement funds Allow the legislature to increase the benefits of people already retired under the public retirement system

Approveda

396,051 (56%)

315,545 (44%)

LRCA

Question 2 Judiciary; Legislature; Legislature Allow the legislature to remove judges with a two-thirds vote

Approveda

493,496 (72%)

193,867 (28%)

LRCA

Question 3 Taxes; Property Allow the legislature to define agricultural and undeveloped land with separate taxation levels from regular property

Approveda

353,377 (51%)

340,518 (49%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1974 ballot measures and Wisconsin1974 ballot measures



Wisconsin1975

April 1, 1975

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Budgets Allow for certain debt to be excluded from municipal debt limits

Defeated

310,434 (48%)

337,925 (52%)

LRCA

Question 2 Budgets; Transportation Broaden the authority under which state funds can be appropriated to improving transportation facilities

Overturned

342,132 (50%)

342,308 (50%)

LRCA

Question 3 Housing; Veterans; Bonds Allow the state to use funds from general obligation bonds for veterans' housing loans

Approveda

385,915 (56%)

300,232 (44%)

LRCA

Question 4 Dueling; Suffrage Repeal a provision that barred people from voting or holding public office if they had been found guilty of dueling

Approveda

395,616 (58%)

282,726 (42%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1975 ballot measures and Wisconsin1975 ballot measures



Wisconsin1976

April 6, 1976

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Budgets Allow for an increase in municipal debt level from 5 percent to 10 percent of the state equalized valuation of the taxable property in that area

Defeated

328,097 (31%)

715,420 (69%)


November 2, 1976

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRSS

Question 1 Residency requirements Allow new state residents to vote 10 days after being in the state

Approveda

1,017,887 (61%)

660,875 (39%)

LRCA

Question 2 Budgets; Transportation Broaden the authority under which state funds may be appropriated to improving transportation facilities

Defeated

722,658 (44%)

935,152 (56%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1976 ballot measures and Wisconsin1976 ballot measures



Wisconsin1977

April 5, 1977

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Gambling Allow the legislature to authorize charitable raffle games

Approveda

483,518 (62%)

300,473 (38%)

LRCA

Question 2 Judiciary Unify the state court system under the administration of the state Supreme Court

Approveda

490,437 (69%)

215,939 (31%)

LRCA

Question 3 Judiciary Create an appellate court

Approveda

455,350 (67%)

229,316 (33%)

LRCA

Question 4 Judiciary Create a disciplinary system for judges and justices in Wisconsin under the authority of the state Supreme Court

Approveda

565,087 (79%)

151,418 (21%)

LRCA

Question 5 Age limits; Term limits; Judiciary Empower the state legislature to set a retirement age for supreme court justices or court of record judges to any age 70 or above

Approveda

506,207 (67%)

244,170 (33%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1977 ballot measures and Wisconsin1977 ballot measures



Wisconsin1978

April 4, 1978

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Administration Allow more than one system of town government

Defeated

179,011 (32%)

383,395 (68%)


November 7, 1978

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRSS

Question 1 Residency requirements Permit all bona fide residents of Wisconsin regardless of length of residency to vote for president and vice president

Approveda

782,181 (65%)

424,386 (35%)

LRSS

Question 2 Residency requirements Permit all U.S. citizens who live overseas to vote in federal elections in Wisconsin if it was their last state of residency

Approveda

658,289 (56%)

524,029 (44%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1978 ballot measures and Wisconsin1978 ballot measures



Wisconsin1979

April 3, 1979

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Executive officials Define that a vacancy in the office of Governor should be filled by the Lieutenant Governor, followed by the Secretary of State

Approveda

538,959 (74%)

187,440 (26%)

LRCA

Question 2 Legislature; Executive officials Provide that the state legislature must approve governor-appointed successors to vacancies in the Lieutenant Governor

Approveda

540,186 (75%)

181,497 (25%)

LRCA

Question 3 Legislature Eliminate the Lieutenant Governor's role as presiding officer of the Wisconsin State Senate

Approveda

372,734 (53%)

327,008 (47%)

LRCA

Question 4 State executive; Legislature; Constitutional wording Clarify wording about constitutional officers' four-year terms

Approveda

533,620 (76%)

164,768 (24%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1979 ballot measures and Wisconsin1979 ballot measures



Wisconsin1980

November 4, 1980

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRSS

Question 1 Residency requirements Allow non-resident property owners in public inland lake protection and rehabilitation districts to vote at district meetings

Approveda

1,210,452 (77%)

355,024 (23%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1980 ballot measures and Wisconsin1980 ballot measures



Wisconsin1981

April 7, 1981

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Primary elections; Recall Require primary elections if there is more than one political party nomination for partisan office and more than two candidates for a nonpartisan office in a recall election

Approveda

366,635 (59%)

259,820 (41%)

LRCA

Question 2 Bonds Allow sewage districts and counties to issue bonds of up to 50 years in length

Approveda

386,792 (61%)

250,866 (39%)

LRCA

Question 3 Bail; Criminal trials Authorize judges to consider certain circumstances when imposing and setting cash bail

Approveda

505,092 (73%)

185,405 (27%)

LRCA

Question 4 Constitutional wording; Business Remove a provision about a special act of the legislature creating corporations

Approveda

418,997 (69%)

186,898 (31%)

LRCA

Question 5 Legislature; Banking Remove a provision requiring a two-thirds majority to pass banking laws

Approveda

336,142 (54%)

290,035 (46%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1981 ballot measures and Wisconsin1981 ballot measures



Wisconsin1982

April 6, 1982

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Law enforcement Hold counties responsible for the acts of the county sheriff

Approveda

316,156 (59%)

219,752 (41%)


September 14, 1982

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRAQ

International Nuclear Weapons Reduction Negotiations Advisory Question Military-related; Nuclear weapons and missiles Order the state to advise the president and Congress that the people of Wisconsin supported efforts to negotiate a mutual nuclear weapons moratorium and reduction with the Soviet Union

Approveda

641,514 (76%)

205,018 (24%)


November 2, 1982

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Constitutional wording Replace pronouns with gender neutral language

Approveda

771,267 (62%)

479,053 (38%)

LRCA

Question 2 Constitutional wording; Redistricting Update a provision to reflect federal constitutional law about redistricting and military personal

Approveda

834,188 (72%)

321,331 (28%)

LRCA

Question 3 Constitutional wording; Legislature Remove references to an 1881 amendment about election dates and terms of office for state legislators

Approveda

919,349 (79%)

238,884 (21%)

LRCA

Question 4 Constitutional wording; Legislature Clarify that legislative voting should be done by roll call vote

Approveda

977,438 (83%)

193,679 (17%)

LRCA

Question 5 Constitutional wording; Public education governance Remove a reference to the 1902 election and superintendent of public instruction's term

Approveda

934,236 (81%)

215,961 (19%)

LRCA

Question 6 Military service; Constitutional wording Remove references to using money collected for draft exemptions for school funds

Approveda

887,488 (75%)

295,693 (25%)

LRCA

Question 7 Constitutional wording; Statehood Remove provisions about Wisconsin's 1848 transition from territory to statehood

Approveda

926,875 (81%)

223,213 (19%)

LRCA

Question 8 Constitutional wording; Judiciary Remove transitional provisions from a 1977 court reorganization amendment

Approveda

882,091 (79%)

237,698 (21%)

LRCA

Question 9 Constitutional wording; Judiciary Specify the effective date of terms of office for supreme court justices

Approveda

960,540 (83%)

190,366 (17%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1982 ballot measures and Wisconsin1982 ballot measures



Wisconsin1983

April 5, 1983

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRAQ

Question 1 Nuclear energy Allow the construction of a radioactive waste disposal site in the state

Defeated

78,327 (11%)

628,414 (89%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1983 ballot measures and Wisconsin1983 ballot measures



Wisconsin1986

April 1, 1986

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Absentee voting; Constitutional rights; Constitutional wording; Residency requirements; Voter registration; Suffrage Guarantee the right of a secret ballot, specify that all U.S. citizens or residents of Wisconsin election districts over 18 are qualified electors, and enumerate that the legislature can enact laws about residency, voter registration, absentee voting, the exclusion of felons from voting, the extension of suffrage to additional classes of people

Approveda

401,911 (83%)

83,183 (17%)

LRCA

Question 2 Judiciary; State executive; Legislature Remove and revise elections procedure provisions

Approveda

404,273 (83%)

82,512 (17%)

LRCA

Question 3 Constitutional wording; American Indian issues Remove constitutional language about voting information for "persons residing upon Indian lands"

Approveda

381,339 (79%)

102,090 (21%)

LRCA

Question 4 Constitutional wording Changing the constitutional phrase "serve these rights" back to "secure these rights" to match the Declaration of Independence

Approveda

419,699 (87%)

65,418 (13%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1986 ballot measures and Wisconsin1986 ballot measures



Wisconsin1987

April 7, 1987

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Gambling Permit pari-mutuel on-track betting but prohibit the state from owning, operating, or leasing land for any such enterprise or location

Approveda

580,089 (52%)

529,729 (48%)

LRCA

Question 2 Gambling Permit the creation of a state lottery

Approveda

739,181 (65%)

391,942 (35%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1987 ballot measures and Wisconsin1987 ballot measures



Wisconsin1989

April 4, 1989

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Taxes Allow the state to provide property and sales tax relief through tax credits and refunds

Defeated

405,765 (50%)

406,863 (50%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1989 ballot measures and Wisconsin1989 ballot measures



Wisconsin1990

April 3, 1990

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 State executive Prohibit the governor from using the partial veto to form new words by removing individual letters from words in appropriation bills

Approveda

387,068 (61%)

252,481 (39%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1990 ballot measures and Wisconsin1990 ballot measures



Wisconsin1991

April 2, 1991

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Public assistance; Housing Permit the state to acquire, improve, and build housing for people of low and moderate income

Defeated

295,823 (42%)

402,921 (58%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1991 ballot measures and Wisconsin1991 ballot measures



Wisconsin1992

April 7, 1992

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Transportation Allow the state to fund railroad improvements using state money and bonds

Approveda

640,592 (58%)

457,690 (42%)

LRCA

Question 2 Legislature Require any legislative pay raises to take effect at the start of a new term after a general election and to apply to all members of the legislature

Approveda

736,832 (68%)

348,645 (32%)


November 3, 1992

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Taxes; Property Lower residential and agricultural property taxes by issuing income tax credits

Defeated

675,876 (31%)

1,536,975 (69%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1992 ballot measures and Wisconsin1992 ballot measures



Wisconsin1993

April 6, 1993

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRAQ

Question 1 Gambling Allow gambling casinos on excursion vessels

Defeated

465,432 (44%)

604,289 (56%)

LRAQ

Question 2 Gambling Restrict gambling casinos

Approveda

646,827 (61%)

416,722 (39%)

LRAQ

Question 3 Gambling Allow video poker and other forms of video gambling

Defeated

358,045 (34%)

702,864 (66%)

LRAQ

Question 4 Gambling Continue to allow pari-mutuel on-track betting

Approveda

548,580 (52%)

507,403 (48%)

LRAQ

Question 5 Gambling Allow the state-operated lottery to continue

Approveda

773,306 (73%)

287,585 (27%)

LRCA

Question 6 Crime victims Ensure that the guaranteed privileges and protections of crime victims are protected

Approveda

861,405 (84%)

163,087 (16%)

LRCA

Question 7 Gambling Clarify that all forms of gambling other than bingo, raffles, pari-mutuel ontrack betting and the current state-run lottery are prohibited

Approveda

623,987 (59%)

435,180 (41%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1993 ballot measures and Wisconsin1993 ballot measures



Wisconsin1995

April 4, 1995

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Gambling Permit the state to create a lottery whose proceeds would be dedicated to athletic facilities

Defeated

348,818 (36%)

618,377 (64%)

LRCA

Question 2 Constitutional wording Remove masculine gender pronouns

Defeated

412,032 (45%)

498,801 (55%)

LRCA

Question 3 Judiciary Permit a judge to hold a nonjudicial public office after vacating a judicial office during that term

Defeated

390,744 (44%)

503,239 (56%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1995 ballot measures and Wisconsin1995 ballot measures



Wisconsin1996

November 5, 1996

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Legislature Prohibit people convicted of a misdemeanor involving a violation of public trust or a felony from holding public office

Approveda

1,292,934 (70%)

543,516 (30%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1996 ballot measures and Wisconsin1996 ballot measures



Wisconsin1998

November 3, 1998

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Local government Extend sheriffs' terms from two to four years, allow sheriffs to hold non-partisan office, and require vacancies to be filled by gubernatorial appointments until a successor is elected

Approveda

1,161,942 (74%)

412,508 (26%)

LRCA

Question 2 Constitutional rights; Firearms Guarantee the right to keep and bear arms

Approveda

1,205,873 (74%)

425,052 (26%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1998 ballot measures and Wisconsin1998 ballot measures



Wisconsin1999

April 6, 1999

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Gambling; Taxes; Property Require that gambling proceeds be used for property tax relief for residents

Approveda

648,903 (86%)

105,976 (14%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin1999 ballot measures and Wisconsin1999 ballot measures



Wisconsin2000

November 7, 2000

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRSS

Question 1 Residency requirements Extend the right to vote in federal elections to the children of U.S. citizens living abroad who formerly resided in Wisconsin.

Approveda

1,293,458 (62%)

792,975 (38%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin2000 ballot measures and Wisconsin2000 ballot measures



Wisconsin2003

April 1, 2003

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Constitutional rights; Right to hunt and fish Provide for a state constitutional right to hunt, fish, trap, and take game

Approveda

668,459 (82%)

146,182 (18%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin2003 ballot measures and Wisconsin2003 ballot measures



Wisconsin2005

April 5, 2005

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Local government Provide that certain county officials be elected to four-year terms

Approveda

534,742 (75%)

177,037 (25%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin2005 ballot measures and Wisconsin2005 ballot measures



Wisconsin2006

November 7, 2006

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 LGBTQ; Family Provide that only marriage between a man and a woman will be recognized as valid

Approveda

1,264,310 (59%)

862,924 (41%)

LRAQ

Question 2 Death penalty Enact the death penalty in first-degree intentional homicide convictions supported by DNA evidence

Approveda

1,166,571 (56%)

934,508 (44%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin2006 ballot measures and Wisconsin2006 ballot measures



Wisconsin2007

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin2007 ballot measures and Wisconsin2007 ballot measures



Wisconsin2008

April 1, 2008

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 State executive Remove the governor’s partial veto power to create a new sentence by combining parts of two or more sentences in an appropriation bill

Approveda

575,582 (71%)

239,613 (29%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin2008 ballot measures and Wisconsin2008 ballot measures



Wisconsin2014

November 4:

Type Title Subject Description Result
LRCA Question 1 Gov't Finances Creates a transportation fund for funding state transportation systems Approveda

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin2014 ballot measures and Wisconsin2014 ballot measures



Wisconsin2015

April 7:

Type Title Subject Description Result
LRCA Question 1 Judiciary Selection methods of chief justice of Wisconsin Supreme Court Approveda

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin2015 ballot measures and Wisconsin2015 ballot measures



Wisconsin2018

April 3, 2018:

Type Title Subject Description Result
LRCA Question 1 State Exec Eliminate the position of state treasurer
Defeatedd

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin2018 ballot measures and Wisconsin2018 ballot measures



Wisconsin2020

April 7:

Type Title Subject Description Result
LRCA Marsy's Law Amendment Law Adds Marsy's Law to Wisconsin Constitution Approveda

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin2020 ballot measures and Wisconsin2020 ballot measures



Wisconsin2023

April 4:

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Bail; Criminal trials Authorize the state legislature to define serious harm in relation to the conditions a judge imposes on an accused person released before conviction

Approveda

1,163,303 (67%)

584,624 (33%)

LRCA

Question 2 Bail; Criminal trials Authorize judges to impose cash bail on an accused person of a violent crime based on circumstances, like the need to protect the community from serious harm and the probability the accused will not appear in court

Approveda

1,186,025 (68%)

569,286 (32%)

LRAQ

Question 3 Public assistance Advise the state legislature to require able-bodied childless adults to look for work in order to receive tax-payer funded welfare benefits

Approveda

1,417,035 (80%)

363,941 (20%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin2023 ballot measures and Wisconsin2023 ballot measures



Wisconsin2024

April 2:

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Election administration Prohibit any level of government in the state from applying or accepting non-governmental funds or equipment for election administration

Approveda

638,555 (54%)

534,612 (46%)

LRCA

Question 2 Election administration Provide that only election officials designated by law may administer elections

Approveda

685,806 (59%)

483,900 (41%)


August 13:

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Legislature Prohibit the legislature from delegating its power to appropriate money

Defeated

521,538 (43%)

704,260 (57%)

LRCA

Question 2 State executive; Legislature Require legislative approval before the governor can expend federal money appropriated to the state

Defeated

521,639 (42%)

706,637 (58%)


November 5:

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Citizenship Voting Requirement Amendment Citizenship voting Prohibit the state and local governments from allowing noncitizens to vote

Approveda

2,272,446 (71%)

950,445 (29%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin2024 ballot measures and Wisconsin2024 ballot measures



Wisconsin2025

April 1:

Type Title Subject Description Result Yes Votes No Votes

LRCA

Question 1 Voter ID Add a voter photo ID requirement to the Wisconsin Constitution

Approveda

1,437,317 (63%)

851,851 (37%)

See also: Wisconsin Wisconsin2025 ballot measures and Wisconsin2025 ballot measures



See also

External links