In a statewide vote, Wisconsin residents have chosen to amend their constitution to exclude non-citizens from participating in local elections.
The Cap Times reported that Wisconsin voters have firmly spoken, choosing to approve a constitutional amendment that bars non-citizens from voting in local elections. This decision echoes the efforts by state Republicans to secure voting rights in municipal governance strictly for U.S. citizens.
The Associated Press confirmed the decision after ballot counting concluded around 9:45 p.m., with the amendment receiving robust support.
Prior to this change, Wisconsin already held regulations that restricted state and federal election participation to U.S. citizens alone.
This amendment was introduced by Republican lawmakers as a definitive action to ensure that U.S. citizens are the exclusive participants in local electoral processes. This comes after Republicans faced setbacks in trying to pass other constitutional reforms earlier this year.
Notably, some U.S. locations such as three states and Washington D.C., do allow non-citizens to vote in local elections. However, Wisconsin's local governments have never permitted such rights, aligning with the state's recent tighter control over election procedures.
Through the successful passage of the amendment, Republicans are celebrating a needed victory after a previous defeat. During August's primary, they failed to pass a reform intended to reduce the gubernatorial powers of Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat.
Apart from impacting current political balances, this amendment also follows an earlier successful initiative in April 2024. In this previous vote, Wisconsin residents approved restrictions on private funding for elections and tightened who can administer electoral procedures.
Opponents of the amendment, including groups like the League of Women Voters, have articulated their concerns, suggesting that the language used in the amendment could lead to further restrictive measures on voter eligibility.
They warn that these steps could fuel ongoing conspiracy theories about widespread voter fraud involving non-citizens, which are not supported by evidence.
Nonpartisan legal experts from the Wisconsin Legislature have clarified that while the amendment prevents non-citizen voting, it does not impose new proof of citizenship requirements or additional documentation for those registering to vote. However, the long-term effects this amendment will have on judicial decisions related to voting laws remain to be seen.
Dan Lenz, a former staff attorney for Law Forward, voiced his apprehension during a webinar about the amendment's vague future implications. He reflected on the challenges of predicting how future legal interpretations could vary.
Supporters of the amendment, including U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil and other conservative figures, advocated strongly for a "yes" vote, asserting that voting should be an exclusive right of American citizens.
Following the result, Brian Schimming, chair of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, stated, "Voters have delivered an unmistakable message: Wisconsin elections will be decided by U.S. citizens."
The affirmation of this amendment by Wisconsin voters not only reflects a growing trend in certain U.S. states towards tightening voting participation but also symbolizes pivotal shifts in the state's political directives.
As Wisconsin continues to reassess and redefine its electoral boundaries, the focus remains on who gets to participate in the democratic process and how these decisions are shaped by local and national politics.