Omar Bennett
The Wisconsin Constitution is the governing document of the U.S. State of Wisconsin. It was first adopted in 1848 and has since been amended nearly 150 times. The process of amending the constitution is outlined in Article XII and involves two methods: a legislative or convention-referred constitutional amendment. Both methods require approval by a simple majority of the state's electorate for an amendment to be passed. This paragraph will explore the steps and requirements for amending the Wisconsin Constitution, including the roles of legislators and voters in the process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of amendments | 152 |
| Ways to amend | Legislative or convention-referred constitutional amendment |
| Legislative amendment requirements | Majority vote in both houses of the Wisconsin State Legislature in two legislative sessions |
| Convention-referred amendment requirements | Majority vote in favor of holding a convention in the state legislature, majority approval from Wisconsin voters at the next general election, and majority approval from voters at an election |
| Amendment submission | Amendments may be proposed in either house of the legislature |
| Amendment ratification | Majority vote from the state's voters |
| Amendment effect | Takes effect upon certification of a statewide canvass of the votes |
Explore related products
![Constitution of the United States and of the State of Wisconsin with Amendments to Date and a Brief History of the Admission of Wisconsin to the Union. 1918 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/617DLHXyzlL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
- Two successive legislative sessions must pass the proposed amendment by majority vote
- The amendment is then presented to the state's voters for ratification or rejection
- Amendments can be proposed in either house of the legislature
- A constitutional convention can be used to propose amendments
- A majority of the state legislators must vote in favor of holding a new convention
Two successive legislative sessions must pass the proposed amendment by majority vote
The Wisconsin Constitution is the governing document of the U.S. State of Wisconsin. It establishes the structure and function of the state government, describes the state boundaries, and declares the rights of state citizens. The current (and first) Wisconsin Constitution was ratified and adopted in 1848. It has been amended nearly 150 times since then.
To amend the Wisconsin Constitution, legislators in two successive legislative sessions must pass the proposed amendment by majority vote. This means that a proposed amendment must be approved by a simple majority of both chambers of the Wisconsin State Legislature in two legislative sessions. If an amendment is approved by a majority in both chambers of the Legislature in one session, that proposed amendment must then be considered by the state legislature chosen at the next general election.
The Wisconsin Constitution grants the legislature considerable discretion in the manner in which amendments are drafted and submitted to the people. An amendment may be proposed in either house of the legislature, and if it is agreed upon by a majority of both houses, it is entered into their journals and referred to the legislature to be chosen at the next general election. If the proposed amendment is again agreed upon by a majority of all the members elected to each house, it is then submitted to the people for ratification or rejection, also by majority vote.
It is important to note that Wisconsin citizens do not have the power to amend the constitution through initiated constitutional amendments. Constitutional conventions can, however, be used to propose amendments. If a simple majority of both houses of the Legislature votes in favor of a constitutional convention, a question is placed on a statewide ballot. If the electors of the state agree by a simple majority to call a convention, the legislature must convene one during its next session.
The Fifth: Due Process and Your Rights
You may want to see also
The amendment is then presented to the state's voters for ratification or rejection
The Wisconsin Constitution is the state constitution of Wisconsin. It establishes the structure and function of the state government, describes the state boundaries, and declares the rights of state citizens. The constitution can be amended with a legislative or convention-referred constitutional amendment, both requiring voter approval.
To amend the Constitution, legislators in two successive legislative sessions must pass the proposed amendment by majority vote and then present it to the state's voters for ratification or rejection, also by majority vote. If an amendment is approved by a majority in both chambers of the Legislature in one session, that proposed amendment must then be considered by the state legislature chosen at the next general election in the state.
The constitution grants the legislature considerable discretion in the manner in which amendments are drafted and submitted to the people. An otherwise valid amendment will be construed as more than one amendment only in exceedingly rare circumstances. The propositions need only relate to the same subject and tend to effect or carry out one general purpose.
The legislature must resubmit a proposed amendment to the people when the previous referendum was voided by court order. It is within the legislature's discretion to submit several distinct propositions to the electorate as one constitutional amendment if they relate to the same subject matter and are designed to accomplish one general purpose.
The Wisconsin Constitution has been amended nearly 150 times since 1848, with voters approving 16 additional constitutional amendments since 1996.
Amending the Constitution: Understanding the Process
You may want to see also
Amendments can be proposed in either house of the legislature
The Wisconsin Constitution has a detailed process for proposing amendments. Amendments can be proposed in either house of the legislature, and if they are agreed upon by a majority in both houses, they are entered into the journals, with the votes of each legislator recorded. These proposed amendments are then referred to the next general election for consideration by the newly elected legislature. If the proposed amendments are again agreed upon by a majority in both houses of the new legislature, they are submitted to the people of Wisconsin for ratification or rejection, which requires a majority vote. This process ensures that any changes to the constitution reflect the will of the people and are not rushed or subject to temporary political sentiments.
The Wisconsin Legislature, as described in Article IV of the state constitution, consists of two houses: the State Assembly and the State Senate. This bicameral system allows for a more deliberate and representative legislative process. The constitution grants the legislature significant discretion in drafting and submitting amendments to the people. The legislature can also choose to call a constitutional convention to propose amendments, but this requires approval by a majority of voters in a statewide ballot.
The process for amending the Wisconsin Constitution demonstrates a commitment to democratic principles and a recognition that the constitution is a living document that may require changes over time. The requirement for successive legislative sessions and majority votes in both houses ensures that amendments reflect a broad consensus and are not the result of fleeting political sentiments. This safeguards the integrity of the constitution and helps prevent hasty or ill-considered changes.
While the legislature plays a crucial role in proposing and approving amendments, the ultimate decision rests with the people of Wisconsin. This is consistent with the democratic ideals upon which the United States was founded and reinforces the principle of popular sovereignty. The people of Wisconsin have the power to accept or reject proposed amendments, ensuring that their rights and freedoms are protected and that the constitution remains a document that serves the interests of its citizens.
In summary, the process of amending the Wisconsin Constitution is deliberately rigorous and involves both the legislature and the people. By requiring successive legislative sessions, majority votes in both houses, and final ratification by the voters, the state has established a system that encourages thoughtful and widely supported constitutional changes while respecting the foundational document that outlines the rights and responsibilities of its government and citizens.
Abolishing Slavery: The Thirteenth Amendment's Historic Addition
You may want to see also
Explore related products
A constitutional convention can be used to propose amendments
The Wisconsin Constitution, the governing document of the U.S. State of Wisconsin, has been amended nearly 150 times since its ratification in 1848. The constitution can be amended through a legislative or convention-referred constitutional amendment, with both requiring voter approval.
- A majority of both houses of the Wisconsin State Legislature must vote in favour of holding a new convention.
- The people of Wisconsin must approve the vote to call a convention at the next general election.
- If the electors of the state agree by a simple majority, the legislature needs to convene a convention during its next session.
- Amendments are proposed and discussed at the convention.
- The proposed amendments are then presented to the voters for ratification or rejection by a majority vote.
Wisconsin has held two constitutional conventions in its history, in 1846 and 1847. The 1847 convention resulted in the ratification of the current Wisconsin Constitution, which is still in use today.
The First Amendment: Interest Groups' Safeguard
You may want to see also
A majority of the state legislators must vote in favor of holding a new convention
The Wisconsin Constitution can be amended through a legislative or convention-referred constitutional amendment, both requiring voter approval. To call a convention for a convention-referred constitutional amendment, a majority of the state legislators must vote in favor of holding a new convention. This is the first step in the process of proposing amendments to the state's constitution through a convention. The Wisconsin Constitution grants the legislature considerable discretion in the manner in which amendments are drafted and submitted to the people.
The Wisconsin Legislature is divided into two houses, the Wisconsin State Assembly and the Wisconsin State Senate. For a convention-referred constitutional amendment, a majority of both houses of the Wisconsin State Legislature must vote in favor of holding a constitutional convention. If a simple majority of both houses of the Wisconsin State Legislature votes in favor, a constitutional convention question is placed on a statewide ballot. If a majority of the electors of the state agree to call a constitutional convention, then the legislature needs to convene a convention during its next session.
The process for making changes to the Wisconsin Constitution is stated in Article XII of the constitution. Article XII describes the two ways that the Wisconsin Constitution can be changed. One way is through a legislatively referred constitutional amendment, and the other is through a convention-referred constitutional amendment. A legislatively referred constitutional amendment may be proposed to the voters if approved by a simple majority of both chambers of the Wisconsin State Legislature in two legislative sessions. If an amendment is approved by a majority in both chambers of the Legislature in one session, that proposed amendment must then be considered by the state legislature chosen at the next general election in the state.
To amend the Wisconsin Constitution, legislators in two successive legislative sessions must vote, by a majority in both houses, to pass the amendment and present the amendment to voters. If the amendment passes the legislature twice, it must be approved in a third vote by the voters at an election. This has always been interpreted as taking place at a general election, and every successful amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution was approved at a general election.
The Fourth Amendment: Protecting Privacy Rights Since 1791
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Wisconsin Constitution is the state constitution of Wisconsin, outlining the state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters.
The Wisconsin Constitution can be amended with a legislative or convention-referred constitutional amendment, both requiring voter approval. Amendments can be proposed in either house of the legislature and must be agreed upon by a majority of members in each of the two houses. The proposed amendment is then referred to the legislature to be chosen at the next general election. If the amendment is agreed upon by a majority in both chambers of the Legislature, it must be approved in a third vote by the voters at an election.
A convention-referred constitutional amendment is proposed when a majority of the state legislators vote in favor of holding a new convention, which is then approved by the people of Wisconsin at the next general election.
The Wisconsin Constitution, ratified in 1848, has been amended nearly 150 times and is still in use today.
To amend the Wisconsin Constitution, legislators in two successive legislative sessions must pass the proposed amendment by majority vote and then present it to the state’s voters for ratification or rejection, also by majority vote.
