Upcoming Wisconsin Primary Election - Aug. 13

The Wisconsin Primary Election is coming up on Tuesday, August 13. Primary Elections are some of the most critical elections in the state and can often be more impactful than general elections.

Now is the time to start planning how you will vote when it comes to congress, state senate, state assembly and the two state referenda questions. Check your sample ballot HERE to see candidates and referenda on your ballot.

It's essential for the dairy community to actively participate in this Primary Election. The decisions made will directly affect our state's governance and financial oversight, which in turn will impact agriculture and dairy businesses.

The upcoming Primary Election is the first time voters statewide can choose partisan candidates in the newly created districts established under Act 94. These new maps have resulted in several state legislative districts where incumbent lawmakers are competing against each other and have also created open seats where multiple candidates from the same party will vie for nomination in Tuesday’s primary.

Make a plan today and vote in this important Primary Election. Thank you for voting for candidates who support our shared ‘dairy’ values.

How to vote:

• Make sure you are registered to vote
• Vote an absentee ballot by mail. Request a ballot
• Vote in-person on Election Day, Tuesday, August 13. All polling locations are open from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• “Early Voting” is already underway and runs through August 11, depending on your municipality’s clerk hours. Office hours vary among municipalities. Contact your local elections clerk to verify the office is open for early in-person voting (find your clerk HERE).
• Confirm your polling location and find additional election information at myvote.wi.gov.

What do the Constitutional Amendments on the Primary ballot do?

Under current law, the governor has the authority to accept and spend federal funds without the Legislature's involvement or consent. If these amendments pass, the governor will be required to get legislative consent before allocating federal funds. The legislature would grant its consent through a joint resolution that does not require the governor’s approval.

The decision to place two constitutional questions on next Tuesday’s ballot stems from the Wisconsin state legislative GOP's aim to oversee Governor Tony Evers' unilateral distribution of federal funds, particularly in response to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Wisconsin has received substantial federal funding to mitigate COVID-19-related financial losses across state and local governments, businesses, nonprofits, and other entities.

To amend the Wisconsin constitution, lawmakers must pass identical changes in two consecutive legislative sessions. These changes do not require the governor’s approval. Afterward, Wisconsin voters must approve the change(s) by a simple majority vote in a statewide referendum.

This August 13^th, two Constitutional amendment questions will on your ballot, proposing to require the governor to get legislative approval before making spending decisions with federal funds. These questions have received initial approval from the Legislature in two consecutive legislative sessions and now come before the people of Wisconsin for approval:

Summary of Question #1.

Do you think the Legislature should be required to make spending decisions and NOT delegate decision-making to an elected or non-elected third party?

Summary of Question #2.

Do you think the Legislature should share in the approval process relating to how federal money sent to Wisconsin is spent? 

Sponsors of the proposed amendments are state Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) and state Representative Robert Wittke (R-Racine).

If you have questions about the Primary Election or the referendum questions, please contact DBA director of government affairs Chad Zuleger at czuleger@dairyforward.com, or call 608-345-6906.