On Tuesday, Wisconsin voters endorsed two of three Republican‑authored constitutional amendments, sending a clear signal that many residents want to keep government “color‑blind” and curb executive tax‑raising authority. The first amendment bars state agencies and public schools from giving preferential treatment based on race, ethnicity, nationality or sex, a move its supporters say will protect merit‑based hiring and restore fairness. The second amendment limits the governor’s use of the partial veto to increase taxes, reinforcing legislative control over the budget.
Amendments pass with solid majorities
The anti‑DEI amendment earned 56.4% support, while the partial‑veto restriction received a comparable margin. Both measures cleared the 50% threshold needed for constitutional change. A third proposal – which would have prevented public officials from banning gatherings in places of worship during emergencies – failed to gain enough votes.
Republican rationale and grassroots backing
Conservative groups framed the amendments as essential safeguards for individual liberty and parental rights. The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty invested a six‑figure campaign to educate voters, emphasizing that government should treat all citizens equally without “new forms of discrimination” that they argue undermine the American Dream. State Senator Steve Nass, R‑Whitewater and a key architect of the measures, warned that “old wounds cannot be healed by inflicting new ones,” underscoring the belief that equality, not equity, is the Constitution’s true promise.
Critics raise concerns
Opponents, including the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, argue the amendments could roll back decades of civil‑rights progress. League Executive Director Debra Cronmiller warned that eliminating race‑ and sex‑based considerations might undo progress for women and minorities, likening the change to giving everyone the same pair of shoes regardless of size. She cautioned that voters could be misled by the ballot language, which she said appears “good on its surface” but could have unintended consequences.
Legal context and precedent
The Wisconsin proposals mirror similar bans adopted in Arizona, California, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Washington between 1996 and 2012. Courts have upheld comparable amendments, as in Michigan where the state Supreme Court affirmed the constitutionality of a similar measure. Attorneys Emily Lau and Sterling Knoche of the University of Wisconsin‑Madison’s State Democracy Research Initiative noted that the ultimate impact will depend on how courts interpret terms like “preferential treatment” and “discrimination.”
Potential effects on state programs
Legal advocacy group Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) has already begun filing lawsuits challenging diversity scholarships and enrollment quotas that could be affected by the new language. WILL’s vice president Dan Lennington testified that “all laws must be colorblind to ensure the American Dream for all individuals.” The organization recently won a state Supreme Court case striking down a minority‑student financial‑aid program, and it is now targeting additional race‑based initiatives in health services and education.
What this means for Wisconsin voters
With nine of twelve constitutional amendments approved during Governor Tony Evers’ eight‑year tenure, the latest votes illustrate a growing willingness among Wisconsin’s electorate to reshape the state charter along conservative lines. While supporters celebrate the victories as a reaffirmation of merit‑based governance, critics remain vigilant, warning that the changes could limit tools used to address historic inequities.
Looking ahead
Future litigation will likely determine how broadly the amendments are applied. As Wisconsin courts interpret the new provisions, the state may see a shift in how public agencies design hiring, contracting and educational programs. Voters and policymakers alike will be watching closely to see whether the intended outcomes—greater fairness and restrained executive power—materialize.
Original reporting: Wisconsin Watch — read the source article.
