State Feed: Wisconsin

Wisconsin Voters Want Direct Say in Government

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 12:28:05 -0400

(MADISON, WI) – The overwhelming majority of Wisconsinites want a direct say in government through statewide initiative and referendum rights, according to a recent poll.
Citizens in Charge Foundation, a national voter rights group focused on the ballot initiative and referendum process and the John K. MacIver Institute for Public Policy, a free market think tank in Wisconsin, released the results of an opinion poll conducted in the state on voter support for initiative and referendum rights. The results were clear, with 63% of voters supporting and only 16% opposing.

Citizens' Rights Safe in Many States as State Legislatures End Sessions

Tue, 18 May 2010 14:23:59 -0400

Of the 45 states whose legislatures hold sessions in 2010, 27 of them have adjourned for the year, and 5 more will wrap up before the end of the month. Of the more than 80 bills dealing with the initiative and referendum process in various states, 51 of them would have reduced citizens’ initiative rights. Thanks to the work of activists in our coalitions, only 3 bills reducing citizen’s rights have passed and become law.

How We Helped Expand Petitioning Rights in Wisconsin

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:00:24 -0400

Several years ago while myself and several other Wisconsin activists were working on the recall of a City of Milwaukee Alderman, the recall effort was going on during a regularly scheduled election so we told the group collecting signatures to stand just outside of the polling locations and approach the voters as they were going in to vote. This seemed like a simple and easy way to gather signatures because all of those going in to vote were residents of the district of the alderman that we were attempting to recall.

Milwaukee Editorial Couldn't Be More Wrong

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:52:31 -0400

Last Sunday the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel ran an editorial blatantly attacking the citizens and their powers of local direct initiative and recall. My response, which is copied below to the ridiculous claims of the Journal-Sentinel were published in today’s edition.

Recalls, Direct Legislation Are Vital

Progressivism in Wisconsin never led to initiative & referendum rights

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:10:37 -0400

The name Wisconsin is practically synonymous with Progressivism, yet
this state has never had a statewide initiative and referendum process.
Indeed, it is one of only three states where voters turned down their
opportunity to get it (Texas and Rhode Island are the others). The
circumstances were as follows.

In 1907 Lieutenant Governor W. D. Connor and State Senator W. D.
Brazeau took up the cause and secured approval in the state senate by a
19 to 5 vote, but lost in the lower house. The Progressive reformers had

Progressivism in Wisconsin never led to initiative & referendum rights

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:10:37 -0400

Merger petition will be certified for two Wisconsin school districts

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 10:16:57 -0400

The effort to put a school merger on the ballot is being tested. A petition to have residents in both the Chetek and Weyerhaeuser school districts vote on a merger between the two is being certified Thursday night. The two school boards recently voted to consolidate next July. A petition to send that decision to a referendum then started going around Weyerhaeuser. The petition was turned in with 132 signatures. Only 52 valid signatures are needed to put the merger on the ballot. That petition is being certified.

The Power of Recall

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:43:32 -0400

One powerful citizen tool that we don’t talk about as much here on the CICF Blog is the power of recall. Recall allows voters to remove a particularly unresponsive, corrupt, or even unpopular elected official from office before their term is up. Citizens in 18 states have the power to recall state-level officials. Many other local jurisdictions give their voters recall powers as well.

Speed cameras on U.S. highways?

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:21:02 -0400

Lawmakers in Wisconsin, Ohio, Montana and Mississippi failed to get a freeway speed camera measure onto a ballot, but points to Maryland as an example of lawmakers’ success. He says 13 states have specific laws banning freeway cameras, but he sees a natural progression from states using red-light cameras to using freeway speed cameras.

Read the story from CNN

Referendum results will play a part in Wisconsin gun debate

Thu, 14 May 2009 13:51:30 -0400

Kenosha area lawmakers are lining up behind a recent legal opinion confirming the legality of toting unconcealed firearms in public places.

Read the story from Kenosha News

Voters Weigh in on Wisconsin Referendums

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 06:44:09 -0400

In addition to electing two statewide offices and several local races, Wisconsinites voted on several referendums Tuesday. Voters in six school districts weighed in on funding referendums.

Read the story from WISC-TV

Group Effort to Recall Wisconsin Governor

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:00:37 -0400

A group of Wisconsinites has formed a committee to explore recalling governor Jim Doyle. Recall supporters would need to collect over 500,000 signatures within 60 days of formally beginning their collection efforts.

Read the story from the Kenosha News

Federal Court Invalidates Wisconsin Finance Reporting Restrictions

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 13:02:37 -0400

A federal district court ruled has ruled that Wisconsin’s campaign finance reporting requirements are overly restrictive on First Amendment rights in a case arising from a referendum campaign. According to Wisconsin’s election law, two Whitewater citizens who sought to distribute flyers and yard signsagainst a local referendum would have had to register with the state and comply with a host of other reporting regulations. The citizens brought suit and won, striking down the restrictions.

Appleton referendum tops today's primary election ballot

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 11:05:24 -0500

Based on ballot measures, voters in Appleton and Grand Chute figure to have the highest turnouts today in the Fox Cities.

Citizen group files court challenge on TIF petition

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:22:51 -0500

Not satisfied with the city’s response to its petition drive, citizen group Glosta Tea Party filed a lawsuit against Gloucester officials on Friday, Feb. 6 asking for a suspension of the tax incentive plan brokered between the city and developers of Gloucester Crossing.

A hearing set for Tuesday, Feb. 10, in Salem’s Essex Superior Court was delayed until March 18 after the city requested more time to prepare its case.

Jamie O’Hara, a lead organizer of Glosta Tea Party, said his group was caught off guard by the city’s move.

Petition seeks referendum on spending

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:59:12 -0400

A petition with more than 400 signatures calls for the Village of North Fond du Lac to go to referendum for all future expenditures that exceed $1 million.

The petition was filed in the village office on Thursday, just one day after a heated public hearing during which officials moved plans forward, despite some citizen opposition, for a $37 million lakeside hotel/convention center/marina.

Change of government drive stalls, ballot measure won't happen

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 08:10:44 -0500

A citizens group has decided that it will not pursue an April referendum that would ask voters if they want to change the city’s form of government.