A good friend of mine voted early this year. She shared with me that when she reached the constitutional amendments on the ballot, she wasn’t sure what was being asked. She read the questions twice, made her best guess, and left unsure whether she had voted the way she intended.
That stayed with me, and frankly, it made me feel badly. These are not small decisions. An amendment changes the state constitution. Once it passes, it is far harder to undo than an ordinary law. No one should have to work that out in the voting booth.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Here is what you need to know.
If you prefer to vote early, you can do so now. Early in-person absentee voting is underway and runs through Sunday, November 1. Each local clerk sets the days, hours, and locations, so check with your clerk or MyVote Wisconsin before you go. Bring a photo ID.
Three amendments are on every Wisconsin ballot
Some context. Wisconsin voters cannot petition to place a question on the ballot. An amendment must pass the Legislature in two consecutive sessions before it goes to voters. This year there are three, the most on a single statewide ballot since 1995.
The official wording is legal language. It reads a bit like a closing disclosure. Here is what each question asks in plain terms.
Question 1: Partial veto. Wisconsin governors can veto parts of a budget bill, down to individual words and numbers. This amendment would prohibit a governor from using that power to create or raise a tax or fee. It stems from Gov. Tony Evers’s 2023 veto, which extended a school-funding property tax provision by 400 years. It would apply only to future vetoes.
- A yes vote adds that limit to the constitution.
- A no vote leaves the governor’s partial veto power as it is now.
Question 2: Gathering in places of worship during an emergency. This would prohibit state and local governments from closing places of worship or banning gatherings in them during a state of emergency, including a public health emergency. It grew out of COVID-era restrictions.
- A yes vote adds that protection to the constitution.
- A no vote leaves the current religious liberty section unchanged.
Question 3: Government discrimination and preferential treatment. This would prohibit any government entity in Wisconsin from discriminating against, or giving preferential treatment to, anyone based on race, sex, ethnicity, or national origin. It covers areas such as hiring, contracting, and education. It would apply to state agencies, cities, school boards, courts, and the state’s universities and technical colleges.
- A yes vote adds that rule to the constitution.
- A no vote leaves the constitution without it.
Each of these has thoughtful supporters and opponents. My aim is not to tell you how to vote. It is to make sure you are not seeing these questions for the first time with a marker in your hand.
See the exact wording and what it means
For the exact wording, Wisconsin Public Radio has published a clear, neutral guide. It shows each question as it appears on the ballot, what the constitution would say if it passes, and the arguments on both sides:
What to know about Wisconsin’s November 2026 referendums (WPR)
One more point. Poll workers are required to remain neutral, so they cannot explain what a yes or no vote means. The time to prepare is before you arrive.
Know your candidates, too
The amendments are only part of the ballot. The governor’s race is open for the first time since 2010, with Democrat David Crowley and Republican Tom Tiffany as the nominees. Legislative, congressional, and local races will also appear, as well as local ballot measures. I encourage you to take a few minutes to learn where the candidates stand on the issues that matter to you and your clients.
See your own ballot in two minutes
Every ballot differs depending on where you live. MyVote, run by the Wisconsin Elections Commission, shows you yours. Enter your name and address to see every candidate and question, your polling place, and your registration status: