Amendment 1 - SJR71 - Eligibility to Vote

Summary

This proposed constitutional amendment, to be given second consideration by the 2023 legislature for submittal to the voters in November 2024, was first considered by the 2021 legislature in 2021 Senate Joint Resolution 32, which became 2021 Enrolled Joint Resolution 13. Currently, the constitution provides that every United States citizen age 18 or older who is a resident of an election district in Wisconsin is a qualified elector of that district. A qualified elector is an individual who is eligible to vote in Wisconsin, subject to requirements established by law, such as voter registration. This constitutional amendment specifies that only a United States citizen age 18 or older is a qualified elector and only such a qualified elector may vote in an election for national, state, or local office or at a statewide or local referendum.

A "Yes" vote supports this proposed constitutional amendment to add language to the Wisconsin Constitution that only U.S. citizens who are 18 years old or older can vote in federal, state, local, or school elections.

A "No" Vote opposes this proposed constitutional amendment to add language to the Wisconsin Constitution that only U.S. citizens who are 18 years old or older can vote in federal, state, local, or school elections.

Arguments

"This subtle change is a dog-whistle toward noncitizens here in Wisconsin. The truth is, noncitizens have not been voting in Wisconsin, yet conspiracy theories have run rampant since the 2020 presidential election. There are a multitude of checks and balances to ensure that noncitizens are unable to register to vote and cast a ballot and yet, voters now must choose to change our constitution once again to appease the lawmakers who refuse to look past the conspiracy theories and accept what their own experts have told them. Adding this language to our constitution is disrespectful and unnecessary. The current language describes eligible voters, and it should remain the law of the land." - Nick Ramos, Executive Director for Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, in opposition to Amendment 1 - SJR71 (Learn more)

"From the debate on this issue last session I know some legislators believe this is unnecessary, but this is a simple straightforward solution to a problem that threatens our constituents most fundamental right, voting. To those who do not believe this is an issue, I would point to the Maryland State Constitution which uses similar language to describe who can vote, 'every citizen of the United States.' That language did not stop College Park and 10 other municipalities in Maryland from allowing illegal immigrants to vote in local elections." - Julian Bradley, WI State Senator - District 28, in support of Amendment 1 - SJR71 (Learn more)

"...ripped the proposals as an effort that will 'fly in the face of good bipartisan work'. Not only are these amendments an attempt to limit access to the ballot box based on misinformation spread by some in this body about the security of our elections. But they're part of a broader effort by legislative Republicans to circumvent the traditional lawmaking process and enshrine the political agenda in our state's most important document, the Wisconsin constitution." - Greta Neubauer, WI State Representative-District 66, in opposition to Amendment 1 - SJR71 (Learn more)

"The right to vote is a sacred one as a United States citizen and is envied across the world. I think it's important that we protect that right and make sure that votes of citizens aren't canceled by the votes of noncitizens." - Tyler August, WI State Senator-District 32, in support of Amendment 1 - SJR71 (Learn more)

Measure Details