Eleanor Finch
The Wisconsin Constitution, first ratified in 1848, has been amended numerous times since. The most recent amendment was in November 2024, when Wisconsin voters approved a change specifying that only US citizens could vote in federal, state, local, or school elections. This removed the possibility of non-citizens voting in local elections, which had not been explicitly prohibited before. Prior to this, the last amendment was in 1996, and the constitution has been amended nearly 150 times in total since its inception.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of last amendment | November 2024 |
| Number of times amended | 151 |
| Process of amendment | Legislators in two successive legislative sessions must vote by a majority in both houses to pass the amendment and present the amendment to voters |
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![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
- The Wisconsin Constitution has been amended nearly 150 times since 1848
- Amendments can be proposed by constitutional convention or state legislature
- The constitution outlines the structure and function of the state government and describes its powers and limitations
- It declares the rights of citizens, including the right to hunt and fish
- The governor can veto bills passed by the state legislature
The Wisconsin Constitution has been amended nearly 150 times since 1848
The Wisconsin Constitution, first ratified in 1848, is the governing document of the 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 constitution was written at a constitutional convention held in Madison, Wisconsin, in December 1847 and approved by the citizens of the Wisconsin Territory in a referendum in March 1848. Wisconsin was admitted to the United States on May 29, 1848.
The original constitution from 1848 is still in use today, but it has been amended nearly 150 times since its ratification. This makes the Wisconsin Constitution the oldest U.S. state constitution outside of New England. Only Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont use older constitutions.
The process for amending the Wisconsin Constitution is outlined in Article XII of the constitution. There are two ways to propose amendments: through a constitutional convention or by introduction in either house of the state legislature. If a majority of state legislators vote in favor of holding a constitutional convention, the people of Wisconsin must approve the vote at the next general election. If an amendment is introduced through the legislature, it requires a three-vote process: a majority in both houses must first pass the amendment, after which the proposed amendment must be considered by the state legislature chosen at the next general election. In either case, Wisconsin voters have the final say and can ratify or reject the proposed amendment.
The Wisconsin Constitution has been amended to address a range of issues, including voting rights, the powers of the executive branch, and the structure of the judiciary. For example, in 1908, an amendment removed the right of certain noncitizens to vote, and in 1930, the constitution was amended to grant the governor a powerful line-item veto on appropriation bills. More recently, in 2024, Wisconsin voters amended the constitution to specify that only U.S. citizens could vote in federal, state, local, or school elections. These amendments demonstrate the evolving nature of the Wisconsin Constitution and its adaptability to the changing needs of the state.
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Amendments can be proposed by constitutional convention or state legislature
The Wisconsin Constitution was written in 1847 at a constitutional convention in Madison, Wisconsin, and approved in 1848. Wisconsin was admitted to the United States on May 29, 1848. Since then, the constitution has been amended over 150 times, with the original constitution still in use.
Amendments to the Wisconsin Constitution can be proposed through a constitutional convention or by the state legislature. A constitutional convention is called when a majority of state legislators vote in favor of holding one, and the people of Wisconsin approve the vote at the next general election. If an amendment is proposed via a constitutional convention, it is placed on a statewide ballot, and if a simple majority of electors agree, the legislature must convene a convention during its next session.
On the other hand, if an amendment is introduced by the legislature, it must pass a three-vote process. First, a majority of members in both houses of the state legislature must vote in favor of the amendment. After the proposed amendment passes both houses, any further progress must wait until after the general elections, when the newly elected state legislature reconvenes. If the amendment is approved by a majority in both chambers during the next legislative session, it is then considered by the state legislature chosen in the next general election.
The Wisconsin Constitution grants certain powers to the legislative branch of government while also outlining limitations on its authority. For instance, the constitution prohibits the state legislature from authorizing gambling and passing legislation affecting certain private businesses, such as changing a person's name. However, amendments have created exceptions to these restrictions, such as allowing bingo games for specific nonprofit organizations and a state lottery.
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The constitution outlines the structure and function of the state government and describes its powers and limitations
The Wisconsin Constitution was written in December 1847 and ratified by voters in the Wisconsin Territory in March 1848. Wisconsin was admitted to the United States on May 29, 1848, and its constitution is the oldest outside of New England. The constitution has been amended nearly 150 times since 1848, but the original document is still in use.
The constitution outlines the structure and function of the state government, including the legislative and executive branches, and describes its powers and limitations. It is divided into a preamble and fourteen articles.
Article IV of the constitution describes the Wisconsin Legislature, which is divided into two houses: the State Assembly and the State Senate. It sets out the method of electing legislators and their terms of office. It also gives each house the power to amend bills passed by the other and outlines certain limitations on the power of the legislative branch, such as a prohibition on authorizing gambling.
Article V of the constitution describes the executive branch of the state government, providing for a governor and lieutenant governor who are elected jointly to four-year terms. The governor is given command of the state's military forces and the power to pardon convicts and veto bills passed by the legislature. This power was expanded in 1930 with a line-item veto on appropriation bills but was partially curtailed in 1990 to prevent the governor from creating new words in a bill by vetoing letters.
The constitution also establishes the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, as well as providing for the formation of municipal courts by the legislature. It outlines the process for selecting the chief justice of the Supreme Court and allows for the establishment of Circuit Courts with districts prescribed by the legislature.
Amendments to the constitution can be proposed by a constitutional convention or introduced by either house of the state legislature. A constitutional convention requires a majority vote of the state legislators and approval by the people of Wisconsin in a general election. A legislative amendment requires a majority vote in both houses in two successive legislative sessions and is then presented to voters for ratification or rejection.
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It declares the rights of citizens, including the right to hunt and fish
The Wisconsin Constitution, written in 1847 and approved in 1848, 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 citizens. The constitution has been amended over a hundred times, with 136 amendments through 1996 and 16 additional amendments approved by voters since then.
Article I of the Wisconsin Constitution is entitled "Declaration of Rights" and consists of 26 sections. This article outlines the legal rights of state citizens, including the right to hunt and fish. In addition to reaffirming the rights guaranteed in the United States Bill of Rights, Article I offers additional guarantees to Wisconsin citizens.
Among these guarantees are sections that prohibit imprisonment for debt, guarantee resident aliens the same property rights as citizens, affirm that the military is subordinate to civil authorities, and allow for the use of state-owned school buildings by civil and religious organizations during non-school hours. The right to hunt and fish is guaranteed to citizens, subject to statutes and regulations that promote wildlife conservation and management.
The Wisconsin Constitution also outlines the powers and structure of the state government, including the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judiciary. The constitution sets forth the method of electing officials, their terms, and the process for amending bills. It also describes the state boundaries and provides for the establishment of municipal courts.
The process for amending the Wisconsin Constitution is stated in Article XII and involves either a constitutional convention or the introduction of an amendment by the state legislature. The constitution has been amended numerous times to address various issues, such as granting the governor a powerful line-item veto on appropriation bills and allowing for exceptions to the prohibition on authorizing gambling.
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The governor can veto bills passed by the state legislature
The Wisconsin Constitution, written in 1847 and approved in 1848, has been amended over a hundred times, with voters approving 16 constitutional amendments since 1996. The constitution outlines the structure and function of the state government, its powers, and its limitations.
Article V of the Wisconsin Constitution describes the executive office in the state, providing for a governor and lieutenant governor who are elected to four-year terms. The constitution also outlines the powers and duties of the executive branch, including the power of the governor to veto bills passed by the state legislature.
The Wisconsin Constitution grants the governor the authority to veto, or reject, bills passed by the state legislature. This means that the governor can prevent a bill from becoming law by refusing to sign it. The governor's veto power serves as a check on the legislative branch, allowing for careful consideration and review of proposed laws.
The Wisconsin Constitution was amended in 1930 to expand the governor's veto power by granting a line-item veto on appropriation bills. This unique authority allowed the governor to veto specific items or provisions within a bill while approving the rest. This amendment enhanced the governor's influence over the legislative process and budgetary matters.
However, in 1990, the constitution was again amended to place certain constraints on the governor's line-item veto power. This amendment specified that the governor could not create a new word in a bill by vetoing individual letters. This restriction addressed concerns about the potential misuse of the line-item veto and ensured that the governor's power was exercised within defined limits.
While the governor can veto bills, the Wisconsin Constitution also provides a mechanism for the state legislature to override a gubernatorial veto. If a bill is vetoed by the governor, it is returned to the legislative house where it originated. The legislature can then attempt to override the veto by gathering a two-thirds majority vote in both houses. This process allows for a balance of powers between the executive and legislative branches, ensuring that neither branch holds absolute authority over the law-making process.
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Frequently asked questions
The Wisconsin Constitution was last amended in November 2024.
The Wisconsin Constitution has been amended nearly 150 times since 1848.
The November 2024 amendment specified that only US citizens could vote in federal, state, local, or school elections.
The first amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution was in 1908, ending the practice of allowing noncitizens to vote in 1912.
