Three Constitutional Amendments on Wisconsin's November 2026 Ballot: What Every Voter Should Know!

Milwaukee, Wi- Oct. 2026: Wisconsin voters will decide three proposed constitutional amendments on November 3, 2026. These proposals address religious gatherings during emergencies, the governor's partial veto authority, and government policies concerning discrimination and equal opportunity.

The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin has publicly opposed all three amendments, warning that they could weaken important public protections and alter the balance of governmental authority.

These decisions deserve careful consideration because constitutional amendments can affect Wisconsin residents for generations.

1. Freedom to Gather During an Emergency

This proposal would prohibit state and local governments from closing places of worship or forbidding religious gatherings during declared emergencies, including public health emergencies.

Supporters argue that religious freedom must be protected, especially during a crisis.

Opponents warn that the amendment could restrict the government's ability to protect public health during infectious disease outbreaks and other emergencies.

The central question is whether protecting religious gatherings should also limit emergency public health measures intended to protect the broader community.

2. Limiting the Governor's Partial Veto Authority

This amendment would prohibit Wisconsin's governor from using the partial veto to create or increase taxes or fees, or authorize their creation or increase.

Supporters argue that the Legislature, rather than the governor acting through partial vetoes, should control taxation.

Opponents argue that the restriction could weaken the governor's constitutional authority and alter the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches.

The proposal also raises questions about future state budgets, public school financing, and the flexibility of government to address changing financial needs.

3. Governmental Entity Discrimination — The So-Called Equality Amendment

This proposal would prohibit Wisconsin governmental entities from discriminating against or granting preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, education, contracting, and administration.

Supporters argue that government should treat everyone equally without racial or other preferences.

Opponents warn that the amendment could restrict lawful programs designed to overcome historical discrimination and expand access to employment, education, and economic opportunity.

This issue is particularly significant in Wisconsin, where Black workers have experienced a long history of racial discrimination, employment exclusion, and unequal advancement opportunities.

Wisconsin's Fair Employment Act, including Wis. Stat. §§ 111.31 and 111.321, recognizes employment discrimination as a matter of public concern and prohibits racial discrimination in employment.

Yet prohibiting discrimination on paper does not automatically eliminate discrimination in practice.

The proposed amendment does not increase workplace discrimination investigations, strengthen enforcement procedures, or provide additional remedies for Black workers experiencing unlawful discrimination.

Instead, its potential effects on race-conscious outreach, recruitment, contracting, and other equal-opportunity initiatives raise important questions about how Wisconsin will address existing inequalities.

Why These Amendments Matter to North Teutonia Avenue

For communities such as Milwaukee's North Teutonia Avenue corridor, constitutional decisions are not simply abstract legal questions.

They can influence how government responds to public health emergencies, finances education and public services, protects workers, and supports access to economic opportunities.

Our community has a direct interest in ensuring that public institutions remain accountable, responsive, and committed to fair treatment.

The fundamental questions are:

• Will these changes strengthen protections for Wisconsin residents?

• Will they preserve effective government accountability?

• Will they help eliminate discrimination or restrict efforts to address it?

• Will they improve opportunities for historically underserved communities?

  
  

Before You Vote, Understand the Consequences

The Wisconsin Constitution establishes the fundamental rules governing our state. Changing those rules requires more than agreement with an amendment's title or stated purpose.

Voters should examine the actual language, consider the legal consequences, and understand what a "Yes" or "No" vote would mean.

A "Yes" vote approves the proposed constitutional change. A "No" vote rejects that change and leaves the existing constitutional language in place.

The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin recommends voting No on all three amendments, citing concerns about public health, governmental checks and balances, and equal opportunity.

Every voter should independently evaluate these arguments before casting a ballot.

Our Community. Our Voice. Our Future.

The North Teutonia Avenue Business & Neighbor Association encourages residents, businesses, and community organizations to become informed, participate in respectful public discussion, and exercise their right to vote.

Election Day: Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Visit MyVote Wisconsin to check your registration, find your polling place, and review voting information.

Get informed. Ask questions. Understand the consequences. Make your voice count.

Disclaimer — North Teutonia Avenue Business & Neighbor Association

The North Teutonia Avenue Business & Neighbor Association is committed to promoting civic engagement, community education, equal opportunity, and informed public participation. Information presented on this website, including discussions of proposed legislation, constitutional amendments, and public policies, is provided for educational and informational purposes only. The views and analyses presented are intended to encourage public discussion and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Association, its members, or affiliated organizations. The Association respects the right of individuals to form their own opinions and encourages all residents to review reliable sources, examine proposed legislation, and participate in the democratic process. Nothing presented constitutes legal advice or an endorsement of any political candidate or political party.

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