How Wisconsin groups are mobilizing voters on Aug. 13 constitutional referendum questions
For the second time this year, Wisconsin voters will weigh in on two referendum questions put forward by Republican lawmakers.
And this time around — the first time referendums have appeared on an August primary ballot in Wisconsin — groups on both sides of the issue appear to be putting more effort into making sure voters understand what a "yes" or "no" vote means to mobilize voters in what could be a low-turnout election.
Voters Tuesday will see two questions asking whether the state Legislature should get the power to sign off on how the governor decides to spend federal funding. The governor currently has the power to accept and allocate those dollars without lawmakers' approval.
A “yes” vote on the first question would add an amendment to the state constitution prohibiting the Legislature from delegating its power to appropriate money, while a “no” vote would not add that.
Voting “yes” on the second question means changing the Wisconsin Constitution to require the governor to earn legislative approval — in the form of a joint resolution — before spending federal funds given to the state. A “no” vote would continue to allow the governor to accept and use federal funds without approval from lawmakers.
More: What to know about constitutional amendment questions going to Wisconsin voters in August
Wisconsin voters generally support constitutional amendments when they're on the ballot. In state history, those referendums have passed about three out of four times. Republicans voted to put five referendum questions on the 2024 ballots, the most in a single year since 1982.
Two of those were approved by voters in April. About 54% and 59% of voters checked "yes" on the two questions, a majority that puts them into effect. The changes mean clerks can no longer use private donations and grants to administer elections.
The amendments’ outcomes will depend on how many Democrats or Republicans show up at the polls for other races on Tuesday. In northeastern Wisconsin, three Republicans are seeking to replace former U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, and in western Wisconsin, three Democrats are vying to oust Republican U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden.
“Turnout is going to be quite uneven across the state, just depending on whether there's something of interest that's really got voters' attention or not. That unevenness is probably going to determine whether these issues end up passing or not,” said Barry Buden, a political science professor at University of Wisconsin-Madison and director of the university's Elections Research Center. "These are big choices made by a relatively small number of folks."
On the Republican side, former Gov. Tommy Thompson weighs in
Republicans and conservative groups support voting "yes" on both questions, while Democrats and liberal groups encourage a "no" vote. When lawmakers voted to place the questions on the ballot, all Republicans voted for it and all Democrats voted against it.
A few weeks before the August election, Republican Party of Wisconsin chairman Brian Schimming was asked by reporters how the party is reaching voters and encouraging them to vote "yes."
"Our whole network of volunteers and staff across the state are quite aware and are publicizing the need for a 'yes' vote on both these questions," Schimming said. "My goal is to make sure every single Republican in the state knows that a 'yes' vote on both questions is the way to provide taxpayers accountability."
Schimming said Democrats are "panicked" about the amendments because it takes away their power to spend from a "slush fund," referring to billions of dollars in pandemic aid Gov. Tony Evers had the authority to spend. While Evers is a Democrat, the amendment would apply to all governors going forward, regardless of their party.
Former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson also weighed in on the questions, arguing government works best when elected officials work together — in this case, the governor and Legislature coming to an agreement on how to spend federal funds.
"Should your representative — the person who goes door to door to hear and respond to the concerns of their constituents, the person working with and most responsive to local government officials and needs — have a role, as is the case for all other taxpayer spending, in directing immense amounts of federal aid(?)" Thompson wrote.
A top Republican in the state — Senate President Chris Kapenga of Delafield — acknowledged on social media that the amendment language is confusing and provided a lengthy explanation. Democrats responded that Republicans wrote and placed the questions on the ballot.
Democrats say changes would slow government response to emergencies
Democrats have argued the amendments will broadly affect federal funds and would introduce more red tape that would slow emergency funding for natural disasters or health crises.
The party has also bashed the amendments' language as deliberately confusing and intentionally scheduled for a low-turnout election.
Wisconsin's chief election official, Meagan Wolfe, told reporters Monday she expected turnout to be in the mid-teens to upper-20s percentage range. Another referendum question will go before voters in the Nov. 5 election, a high-turnout election that includes the presidential vote.
Democratic Party of Wisconsin chairman Ben Wikler said in a statement that the amendments are "aimed at cementing" Republicans' "extreme agenda into Wisconsin’s Constitution" and encouraged voters who "oppose far-right power grabs" to vote no.
"These amendments would do nothing but create more gridlock and dysfunction in Madison and make it harder for our state government to help first responders respond quickly to emergencies,” Wikler said. “Republican politicians, led by (Assembly Speaker) Robin Vos, are pushing misleading and risky constitutional amendments aimed at cementing their extreme agenda into Wisconsin’s Constitution."
Democrats have created a Vote No website and held press conferences across the state to encourage a "no" vote, including a virtual call with Dan Jacobs, the Milwaukee chef who was a finalist on "Top Chef: Wisconsin." It's another example of both parties using influencers to spread their message.
Democrats have increased their messaging since the April amendments in an effort to clarify the "misleading and confusing" language, said Joe Oslund, communications director for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.
Evers himself has been outspoken on the referendums. During Vice President Kamala Harris and running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's rally in Eau Claire last week, Evers spent part of his speech encouraging the crowd of about 12,000 to vote "no."
"The Republican Legislature snuck two confusing constitutional amendments onto the ballot next Tuesday that will erode our state's checks and balances, and make it harder for me to do my job and other governors to do their job," Evers said.
Both sides make arguments about checks and balances
Interestingly, both Republicans and Democrats argue their positions on the questions will preserve checks and balances of who holds power in state government.
Republicans say giving lawmakers approval over the funds puts the decision in the hands of representatives, who are closer to their constituents, and that the "power of the purse" belongs to the Legislature.
Democrats point out the governor has the sole discretion over federal funds, which is laid out in a law dating back to the 1930s, and say Republicans are attempting a "power grab."
Referendums have become increasingly partisan over the years and currently reflect Republicans’ frustration over losing control of the governor’s office and state Supreme Court, Burden said. Tuesday’s primary is the first time in state history that amendments have been on an August ballot. Previously, they’ve been put before voters exclusively in April or November.
“It reflects strategy by Republicans to find a time of year, of the four statewide elections that happen, that Republicans are going to be advantaged by having higher turnout,” Burden said, adding that legislators early on likely anticipated competitive Republican primaries for U.S. Senate and Gallagher’s open seat.
Burden said it’s not clear if Democrats or Republicans have an advantage, but that both parties’ messaging will be important to helping the average voter understand arcane legal language.
“That makes the messaging more important, because followers of these conservative and liberal groups are likely to trust the messages they hear from those group leaders,” Burden said. “It’s a relatively small number of people making what seem like arcane decisions, which end up changing the state constitution somewhat permanently, a very difficult document to amend."
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin voters hearing heavy messaging on Aug. 13 ballot questions