Three amendment questions to appear on Nov. 3 ballot

In addition to candidate races, all Wisconsin voters will decide three proposed statewide constitutional amendments appearing on the Nov. 3 ballot.

• Question 1 (Partial Veto Limit): Proposed amendment prohibiting the governor, when exercising partial-veto authority on appropriation bills, from creating or increasing any tax or fee.

If passed, the governor could still strike spending items or reduce appropriation levels, but could no longer rearrange text or numbers in state budget legislation if doing so results in creating a new tax/fee or raising existing rates. Proponents argue it prevents executive overreach and protects taxpayers from unapproved revenue increases, while opponents argue it reduces the governor’s flexibility to address state budget shortfalls or revenue needs.

• Question 2 (Protection for Places of Worship): Proposed amendment prohibiting state or local governments from ordering the closure of, or forbidding gatherings in, places of worship during a declared state of emergency.

If allowed, religious assemblies and houses of worship would gain explicit constitutional protection against mandatory shutdown or attendance-limit orders during public health or civil emergencies. Supporters view it as a necessary safeguard for religious freedom and first amendment rights during crises, while critics argue it restricts public health officials from applying uniform, emergency safety rules to prevent disease transmission or manage local safety threats.

• Question 3 (Government Equal Treatment): Proposed amendment prohibiting state and local governmental entities from discriminating against or granting preferential treatment to individuals or groups based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, education, contracting, or administration.

If passed, public agencies, public school districts, and state universities would be prohibited from using race, ethnicity, or sex as criteria in hiring practices, college admissions, state contracting incentives, or targeted grant allocations. Advocates argue it creates a strictly merit-based, colorblind standard for all government operations, while opponents contend it restricts public institutions from utilizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives or minority-business enterprise preferences to address historical disparities.