Wisconsin 2023 ballot measures
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As of January 4, 2024, three statewide ballot measures appeared on the ballot in Wisconsin in 2023. All three were approved.
Want to learn more about ballot measures in other states in 2023?
- You can find a list of 2023's certified statewide ballot measures here.
- You can find a list of 2023's certified local ballot measures here.
- Here is a list of bills and resolutions passed passed in 2023 to change the laws governing ballot measures.
On the ballot
April 4:
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Question 1 | Law enforcement | Authorize the state legislature to define serious harm in relation to the conditions a judge imposes on an accused person released before conviction |
|
1,163,303 (67%) |
584,624 (33%) |
|
| Question 2 | Law enforcement | 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 |
|
1,186,025 (68%) |
569,286 (32%) |
|
| Question 3 | Welfare | Advise the state legislature to require able-bodied childless adults to look for work in order to receive tax-payer funded welfare benefits |
|
1,417,035 (80%) |
363,941 (20%) |
Potential measures
For 2023, measures that were certified for the ballot are available here, and measures that failed to make the ballot are available here.
Getting measures on the ballot
Citizens
In Wisconsin, citizens do not have the power to initiate statewide initiatives or referendums. Voters of Wisconsin had voted on two ballot measures—Question 2 and Question 8 in 1914—to authorize a statewide initiative or referendum process. Both of the ballot measures were rejected.
Legislature
The Wisconsin State Legislature can refer statewide ballot measures, in the form of constitutional amendments, state statutes, and advisory questions, to the ballot in even-numbered years and odd-numbered years.
Wisconsin requires a simple majority vote (50%+1) in each legislative chamber during two successive legislative sessions to refer a constitutional amendment to the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 50 votes in the Wisconsin House of Representatives 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.
The state requires a simple majority vote (50%+1) in each legislative chamber during one legislative session to refer statutes and advisory questions to the ballot. The governor's signature is needed for statutes and questions to appear on the ballot.
Historical facts
- See also: List of Wisconsin ballot measures
- A total of 36 measures appeared on statewide ballots between 1985 and 2022.
- From 1985 through 2022, an average of one measure appeared on the ballot during odd-numbered years in Wisconsin.
- The number of measures appearing on statewide ballots for odd-numbered years between 1985 and 2022 ranged from zero to seven.
- Between 1985 and 2022, 27 measures were approved and nine were defeated.
Local ballot measures
- See also: Wisconsin 2023 local ballot measures
Click here to read more about 2023 local ballot measures in Wisconsin.
See also
- 2023 ballot measures
- List of Wisconsin ballot measures
- Laws governing ballot measures in Wisconsin
- Campaign finance requirements for Wisconsin ballot measures
External links
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