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2026 Elections
Wisconsin State Office
Wisconsin Supreme Court Judge Chris Taylor
Judge Maria Lazar
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2026 Supreme Court Election
Judge Chris Taylor
Judge Maria Lazar
Current: 4th District Wisconsin Court of Appeals Current: 2nd District Wisconsin Court of Appeals Previously: State Legislator Previously: Wisconsin Circuit Court in Waukesha Previously: Attorney and Policy Director
Planned Parenthood of WisconsinPreviously: Assistant Attorney General
Administration of Governor Scott Walker
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Judge Dugan trial verdict
Dear reader —
As you probably know by now, Judge Hannah Dugan has been found guilty of a felony obstruction but not guilty of concealing an immigrant from federal agents.
Grassroots North Shore as well as a group of local and statewide nonprofits and progressive organizations have signed a statement the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign put out as a press release and has posted on its website. It says in part:
This case was never about one individual. It was about whether people can still walk into a courthouse without fear and trust the justice system to protect them. It’s also about the need to safeguard judicial independence. Judges must be able to do their jobs and enforce the rule of law without intimidation. This verdict underscores a broader pattern of federal actions that threaten those principles.
Let’s be clear: Everyone in Wisconsin, regardless of immigration status, deserves access to justice without fear, violence, or intimidation. While this outcome is deeply concerning, it does not change our commitment to defending the rule of law and judicial independence.
. . .
Moments like this test the limits of our democracy. But they also remind us why the rule of law, independent courts, and courageous public servants matter so much. We remain committed to defending those values, standing with judges who uphold them, and working toward a justice system that is fair, humane, and worthy of the public’s trust.To understand more about the case, Ruth Conniff's commentary — Making sense of the trial and felony conviction of a Milwaukee judge who stood up to ICE — in today's Wisconsin Examiner focuses on the prosecution's argument that Dugan interfered by letting Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, the defendant, leave the courthouse. So the agents ultimately had to arrest Flores-Ruiz on the street outside making the agents less "safe." "The federal agents called to the stand, the prosecutors in the courtroom, and Schimel [the Acting US Attorney], in his summary of the case, made a big point about the 'safety' of law enforcement officers. Repeatedly, we heard that immigration agents prefer to make arrests inside courthouses because they provide a 'safe' environment in which to operate."
Conniff concludes: "The real questions raised by Dugan’s case are whether we believe the 'safety' of the agents making those dubious arrests matters more than the safety of our communities, and whether we want the courts to be able to regulate the conduct in their own courthouses as a check on the government’s exercise of raw power."
For an explanation of the legal issues, Adam Klasfeld and Harry Litman, both legal scholars, discuss what happened and what comes next. One issue that might emerge from an appeal is "materiality," meaning that nothing Judge Dugan did materially affected the outcome: Flores-Ruiz exited Judge Dugan's courtroom through a door primarily used by juries but it led to the public hallway where the federal agents were waiting. Presumably they could have arrested him in the public hallway. One of them even accompanied the immigrant to the ground floor and presumably could have detained him before he left the courthouse! Subsequently Flores-Ruiz was arrested on the street outside the courthouse. So no harm, no foul? The discussion between Klasfeld and Litman is about 22 minutes long.
There is a legal defense fund for her. Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Janine P. Geske oversees and serves as trustee of the fund. Because the case involves a sitting judge, there are strict rules on who can contribute. The gist of the rules are as follows:
- if you are not a registered lobbyist,
- you are not a Milwaukee County resident,
- or you do not have any business before the Milwaukee County Circuit Court system,
you are probably eligible to contribute as are your friends, family, and like-minded co-workers. Any amount you can give or can solicit from others will be appreciated. Contribute online through Stripe (rather than ActBlue) or write a check payable to “Hannah Dugan Legal Defense Fund” and send to:
Hannah Dugan Legal Defense Fund
1345 N Jefferson St., #172
Milwaukee, WI 53202In solidarity,
Nancy Kaplan
www.grassrootsnorthshore.com
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Donation
Make a general donation to Grassroots North Shore.
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Supporting Judge Hannah Dugan
#Know the Facts
Grassroots North Shore announces its strongest possible support for Judge Hannah Dugan. We have always known her to be an even-handed, fair jurist with deep respect for the rule of law.
Judge Dugan has been arrested and charged with two felonies. As the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel describes it, she has retained the legal services of the “LeBron James of lawyers” — former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement — and of lead attorney Steven Biskupic, former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, staunch Republicans both. But she should never have had to acquire legal representation at all.
According to the allegations in the criminal complaint, Dugan is accused of escorting Eduardo Flores-Ruiz and his public defender out of her courtroom and into the hallway through a side door, after learning that immigration authorities were in the hallway seeking his arrest. Federal agents had agreed to arrest him in the hallway (and not in the courtroom), yet they allowed him to leave.
“A DEA agent on the team saw Flores-Ruiz and his attorney enter the hallway near the courtroom and walk briskly to the elevators. The agent managed to ride the elevator down with them, and communicated with the other members of the removal team their movements until they were able to confront him outside of the southern end of the courthouse near the flagpoles” (Urban Milwaukee, April 25, 2025). (The emphasis has been added.)
The man and his lawyer were never “concealed” anywhere. And Eduardo Flores-Ruiz was duly arrested on the public sidewalk soon thereafter.
Hannah Dugan was acting in her capacity as a judge to maintain order in her courtroom and prevent an incident at the public entrance to her courtroom. She did nothing illegal and she certainly should never have been handcuffed and arrested in the courthouse parking lot. According to Nancy Gertner, retired federal judge and senior lecturer at Harvard Law School, this was not done to enforce the law. It was done to intimidate Judge Dugan and all members of the independent judiciary (The Contrarian, April 28, 2025). All charges against her should be dismissed.
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Nicolet School Board
Candidates Online Information Andrew Frankin Other important races on your ballot:
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice
Judge Susan Crawford
Comparison with Brad Schimel
Crawford endorsementSuperintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly (Incumbent) Website
Underly questionnaire
Underly endorsementBrittany Kinser Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram Proposed Wisconsin Constitution Amendment Ballot Language
QUESTION 1: “Photographic identification for voting. Shall section 1m of article III of the constitution be created to require that voters present valid photographic identification verifying their identity in order to vote in any election, subject to exceptions which may be established by law?”
Vote NO: Here's Why
A statute, passed by the legislature and signed by the governor, establishes the requirement that in order to vote, the voter must present an approved form of photo ID to the poll worker on election day or to the municipal clerk (or agents of the clerk) when voting during early in-person voting or to vote absentee (aka vote by mail).
Embedding it in the state constitution does not alter the law or its enforcement. It simply makes it harder for some future legislature. That's because to amend the state constitution to remove the language, two successive legislatures would have to approve the language of an amendment to alter any part of the state constitution. Then the voters would also have to approve it.
Amending the constitution should be rare and should only present the principles by which we are to be governed. So having a provision that protects the right to vote certainly belongs in the constitution. Having a provision that specifies who is eligible to vote and under what circumstances is now and ought to be a matter hammered out in the legislature with the concurrence of the governor.
In 2024 and 2025, the legislature has presented Wisconsin voters with six ballot questions, each of which sought to amend the state constitution. Between 1848, when it was originally ratified, and 2023, the constitution had been amended only 148 times. So over 175 years, it has been changed 148 times. In 2024, voters were asked to ratify a further four amendments. Only three of them passed. Now another proposed amendment is on the ballot for voters to consider. These ballot measures represent the gerrymandered legislature's attempts to make policies around elections and voting rights as difficult to change as possible. Most of the amendments that voters approved in 2024 should have been legislative matters and do not present the general principles.
For more information, visit the League of Women Voters VOTE NO Toolkit for this Ballot Question.
Legislative Language
SECTION 1. Section 1m of article III of the constitution is created to read:
"[Article III] Section 1m (1) No qualified elector may cast a ballot in any election unless the elector presents valid photographic identification that verifies the elector’s identity and that is issued by this state, the federal government, a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state, or a college or university in this state. The legislature shall by law establish acceptable forms of photographic identification, and the legislature may by law establish exceptions to the requirement under this subsection.
"(2) A qualified elector who is unable to present valid photographic identification on election day shall be permitted to cast a provisional ballot. A provisional ballot may not be counted unless the elector presents valid photographic identification at a later time and place as provided by the legislature by law.
"SECTION 2. Numbering of new provision. If another constitutional amendment ratified by the people creates the number of any provision created in this joint resolution, the chief of the legislative reference bureau shall determine the sequencing and the numbering of the provisions whose numbers conflict.""
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Endorsement of Dr. Underly for Superintendent of Public Instruction
Grassroots North Shore enthusiastically supports the re-election of Dr. Jill Underly for State Superintendent of the Department of Public Instruction. She has championed public instruction and prioritized accessibility of a good education for every child.
Under her tenure, the state’s k-12 education system has risen to 6th in the nation in 2024 from 14th in 2020. Wisconsin has its highest ever graduation rate at 90.5%, ranked 3rd in the country. Her department has invested in reading coaches, support for mental health, and teacher recruitment, while defending teachers’ labor rights.
We add our endorsement to the wide array of groups that feel Dr. Underly deserves another term. Her commitment to public education stands in stark contrast to the goal of her opponent, whose intent to divert more public money from public schools to a fragmented, unaccountable patchwork of privately run schools would devastate the public school system.
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Bayside
Offices Candidates and Online Information Village Trustee, 2 seats Mike Barth, Incumbent
emailKavin Tedamrongwanish, Incumbent
emailOther important races on your ballot:
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Judge Susan Crawford
Comparison with Brad Schimel
Crawford endorsementSuperintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly (Incumbent) Website
Underly questionnaire
Underly endorsementBrittany Kinser Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram Wisconsin Appeals Court District 2 Mark Gundrum, Incumbent Proposed Wisconsin Constitution Amendment Ballot Language
QUESTION 1: “Photographic identification for voting. Shall section 1m of article III of the constitution be created to require that voters present valid photographic identification verifying their identity in order to vote in any election, subject to exceptions which may be established by law?”
Vote NO: Here's Why
A statute, passed by the legislature and signed by the governor, establishes the requirement that in order to vote, the voter must present an approved form of photo ID to the poll worker on election day or to the municipal clerk (or agents of the clerk) when voting during early in-person voting or to vote absentee (aka vote by mail).
Embedding it in the state constitution does not alter the law or its enforcement. It simply makes it harder for some future legislature. That's because to amend the state constitution to remove the language, two successive legislatures would have to approve the language of an amendment to alter any part of the state constitution. Then the voters would also have to approve it.
Amending the constitution should be rare and should only present the principles by which we are to be governed. So having a provision that protects the right to vote certainly belongs in the constitution. Having a provision that specifies who is eligible to vote and under what circumstances is now and ought to be a matter hammered out in the legislature with the concurrence of the governor.
In 2024 and 2025, the legislature has presented Wisconsin voters with six ballot questions, each of which sought to amend the state constitution. Between 1848, when it was originally ratified, and 2023, the constitution had been amended only 148 times. So over 175 years, it has been changed 148 times. In 2024, voters were asked to ratify a further four amendments. Only three of them passed. Now another proposed amendment is on the ballot for voters to consider. These ballot measures represent the gerrymandered legislature's attempts to make policies around elections and voting rights as difficult to change as possible. Most of the amendments that voters approved in 2024 should have been legislative matters and do not present the general principles.
For more information, visit the League of Women Voters VOTE NO Toolkit for this Ballot Question.
Legislative Language
SECTION 1. Section 1m of article III of the constitution is created to read:
"[Article III] Section 1m (1) No qualified elector may cast a ballot in any election unless the elector presents valid photographic identification that verifies the elector’s identity and that is issued by this state, the federal government, a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state, or a college or university in this state. The legislature shall by law establish acceptable forms of photographic identification, and the legislature may by law establish exceptions to the requirement under this subsection.
"(2) A qualified elector who is unable to present valid photographic identification on election day shall be permitted to cast a provisional ballot. A provisional ballot may not be counted unless the elector presents valid photographic identification at a later time and place as provided by the legislature by law.
"SECTION 2. Numbering of new provision. If another constitutional amendment ratified by the people creates the number of any provision created in this joint resolution, the chief of the legislative reference bureau shall determine the sequencing and the numbering of the provisions whose numbers conflict.""
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Brown Deer
Offices Candidates and Online Information Village President Wanda Montgomery, Incumbent Village Trustee, 2 seats Priscilla Hightower Thompson, Incumbent Darryl Johnson, Incumbent North Shore Municipal Court Judge Christopher Lipscomb Sr, Incumbent Other importanat races on your ballot:
Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly (Incumbent) Website
Underly questionnaire
Underly endorsementBrittany Kinser Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram Wisconsin Appeals Court District 2 Mark Gundrum, Incumbent Proposed Wisconsin Constitution Amendment Ballot Language
QUESTION 1: “Photographic identification for voting. Shall section 1m of article III of the constitution be created to require that voters present valid photographic identification verifying their identity in order to vote in any election, subject to exceptions which may be established by law?”
Vote NO: Here's Why
A statute, passed by the legislature and signed by the governor, establishes the requirement that in order to vote, the voter must present an approved form of photo ID to the poll worker on election day or to the municipal clerk (or agents of the clerk) when voting during early in-person voting or to vote absentee (aka vote by mail).
Embedding it in the state constitution does not alter the law or its enforcement. It simply makes it harder for some future legislature. That's because to amend the state constitution to remove the language, two successive legislatures would have to approve the language of an amendment to alter any part of the state constitution. Then the voters would also have to approve it.
Amending the constitution should be rare and should only present the principles by which we are to be governed. So having a provision that protects the right to vote certainly belongs in the constitution. Having a provision that specifies who is eligible to vote and under what circumstances is now and ought to be a matter hammered out in the legislature with the concurrence of the governor.
In 2024 and 2025, the legislature has presented Wisconsin voters with six ballot questions, each of which sought to amend the state constitution. Between 1848, when it was originally ratified, and 2023, the constitution had been amended only 148 times. So over 175 years, it has been changed 148 times. In 2024, voters were asked to ratify a further four amendments. Only three of them passed. Now another proposed amendment is on the ballot for voters to consider. These ballot measures represent the gerrymandered legislature's attempts to make policies around elections and voting rights as difficult to change as possible. Most of the amendments that voters approved in 2024 should have been legislative matters and do not present the general principles.
For more information, visit the League of Women Voters VOTE NO Toolkit for this Ballot Question.
Legislative Language
SECTION 1. Section 1m of article III of the constitution is created to read:
"[Article III] Section 1m (1) No qualified elector may cast a ballot in any election unless the elector presents valid photographic identification that verifies the elector’s identity and that is issued by this state, the federal government, a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state, or a college or university in this state. The legislature shall by law establish acceptable forms of photographic identification, and the legislature may by law establish exceptions to the requirement under this subsection.
"(2) A qualified elector who is unable to present valid photographic identification on election day shall be permitted to cast a provisional ballot. A provisional ballot may not be counted unless the elector presents valid photographic identification at a later time and place as provided by the legislature by law.
"SECTION 2. Numbering of new provision. If another constitutional amendment ratified by the people creates the number of any provision created in this joint resolution, the chief of the legislative reference bureau shall determine the sequencing and the numbering of the provisions whose numbers conflict.""
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Nancy Kaplan published Crawford-Schimel Comparison in Judge Susan Crawford 2025-01-25 16:56:25 -0600
Crawford and Schimel Positions
Issue Crawford
Schimel
Abortion
supports women’s access to reproductive health care; represented Planned Parenthood in blocking a 2011 Wisconsin law that made physicians who provide abortion services get admitting privileges at a nearby hospital.
says he’s pro-life; believes the Wisconsin’s 1849 abortion ban is valid; has signed a legal white paper that endorsed making “it a crime to intentionally destroy the life of an unborn child unless it is necessary to save the life of the mother.”Labor
represented Madison Teachers, Inc. in a lawsuit to overturn Wisconsin’s Act 10, which outlawed collective bargaining for public employees. She supports protecting “workers’ rights.”
supports protecting Act 10, which outlawed collective bargaining for public employees.Redistricting
co-authored an amicus brief outlining options for a nonpartisan redistricting plan.
defended gerrymandered maps before the U.S. Supreme Court.Priorities for the Court
believes "in protecting the basic rights and freedoms of Wisconsinites"; is committed to ensuring that the courtroom presents a level playing field and that the court can act as a check and balance on the other branches of government.
would "take back the Wisconsin Supreme Court and end the madness” of “rogue judges… putting their radical agenda above the law.”Information derived from the League of Women Voters.
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Jeff Wright, Superintendent of the Sauk Prairie School District
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How can (or should) DPI address the differing needs of urban and rural districts?
DPI needs leaders who understand the differing needs of urban and rural districts to address those needs effectively. This is a strength I bring based on my unique experience. For nine years, I was a high school administrator on Chicago’s southsideSince 2012, I’ve been a district administrator in Sauk Prairie, where I was named the Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance’s “Administrator of the Year.” Past DPI leadership acknowledged these differing needs and established structures to support districts of different sizes in a differentiated manner. I’ll restore these systems and rebuild the trust between the DPI and the districts it supports.
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Wisconsin’s per-pupil spending has declined from 12th highest in the nation (11% above the national average) to below the national average. In what ways do you think the decline in resources has impacted educational outcomes in our state?
Reduced resources have a direct impact on educational outcomes and student experience. An over-reliance on local property tax increases authorized by referenda has created a haves vs. have nots landscape in Wisconsin. Reduced resources lead to reductions in interventions and supports for students who need them to experience academic success and enrichment activities, career programming, and other rich programs that make school engaging for students and help prepare them for life with both academic and soft skills. When our schools thrive, our communities thrive. These cuts in funding hurt our kids and make our communities less attractive to new families.
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How will the recent change in state standards help or hurt Wisconsin schools and students?
The changes in our state standards came at the worst possible time, with districts still assessing student progress post-COVID. Wisconsin needs to set high standards for its students. Even Gov. Evers called the lowering of standards a mistake in a clear rebuke of the current administration. The legislature is now stepping in to assert its authority over this school issue. This is happening because of the absence of system-wide collaboration and open communication. I will work with our Legislature as a nonpartisan problem solver to do what is right for our schools.
When the standards changed, my district created a tool that empowered districts to measure year-to-year achievement to help inform next steps. This tool was shared by AWSA with school leaders statewide. Our team is focused on individual student growth – a key measurement I will prioritize. My approach focuses on equity and providing actionable data to help schools improve.
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What changes if any would you propose in the school voucher program and the Charter School program, and why do you think they are needed – or not needed?
I oppose the expansion of taxpayer-funded private school vouchers in Wisconsin. They are an unaffordable and unaccountable system draining resources from public schools, undermining the investment needed to ensure all children in Wisconsin receive a high- quality education. Ideally, Wisconsin would move toward legislation to reverse the rapid expansion of the state’s voucher program. While I understand we cannot end the program overnight, my long-term goal is to curb expansion.
An immediate change I will fight for is increased taxpayer transparency regarding voucher programs. Currently, property tax bills do not differentiate between the funds used by public schools and those allocated to the voucher program. For example, in Fort Atkinson, local property taxes raised over $1.9 million for the voucher program, but the local superintendent reports this funding is paying for students who were already enrolled in private schools, with no impact on public school enrollment. Taxpayers deserve to know these funds are not going to their public schools, even though they are listed as such on property tax bills. This kind of transparency is not only ethically right but also allows taxpayers to understand the true cost of the growing voucher program and its impact on public schools.
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What specific changes could be made to reduce the achievement gap between minority and white achievement?
I have experienced success in reducing achievement gaps by focusing on individual student growth, by training teachers on proven high-impact strategies, and by creating school cultures where all students are presumed to be smart and worthy of our trust. This requires asking difficult questions about how our systems unintentionally – or intentionally – give advantage to those who already are advantaged.
We also need to focus on key benchmarks that when met increase the likelihood of school success including reading at grade level by third grade, success in algebra by the end of ninth grade, and meeting attendance expectations.
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Do students who lost ground during the pandemic still need assistance? What actions can and should we take to help our children catch up on what they have missed?
The progress made by students since the pandemic needs to be reviewed district-by- district. This was made difficult by the DPI’s decision to change the cut scores of the state’s standardized tests. There are districts – including many that brought students back for in-person learning quickly – where achievement rates have returned to pre- pandemic levels. Others face a far different reality. For those with lagging achievement, we need to focus on measuring individual student growth and intervening if growth is not occurring at a rate necessary to catch up.
Beyond academic achievement, many students still need support with their mental wellness. It’s not unusual for people to find themselves on waitlists as long as a year to gain access to counseling. Districts can engage systems that help connect students to care, can work with community partners to access virtual care, and the DPI can advocate for additional funds for school-based mental health staff.
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What is your position on police presence in our schools?
All of the schools where I have worked as a teacher, principal, or district administrator have had School Resource Officers. They have been important members of our team and our school community. This was the case in Chicago and is the case in Sauk Prairie. It is essential that clear boundaries are established between the SRO and the school administration so the laws specific to school settings are followed. With these boundaries in place, a professional SRO can be a powerful link between the school and community and can help make our schools safer from internal and external violent threats.
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How can (or should) DPI address the differing needs of urban and rural districts?
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Questionnaire
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How can (or should) DPI address the differing needs of urban and rural districts?
The issues facing rural areas are very similar to those facing the most urban schools. Suburban schools are advantaged by the current system. But urban and rural schools both see challenges in funding, poverty rates, broadband access, higher English-learner populations, educator recruitment & retention, special education reimbursement rates, declining enrollment, and aging buildings. We can address these issues through fully investing in public education and our kids’ futures, as I outlined in my $4 billion biennial budget request to try to make our public education system whole again.
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Wisconsin’s per-pupil spending has declined from 12th highest in the nation (11% above the national average) to below the national average. In what ways do you think the decline in resources has impacted educational outcomes in our state?
A decline in per-pupil spending negatively impacts kids in multiple ways, including larger class sizes, outdated materials and technology in the classroom, cuts to support services such as mental health resources and career counseling, deterioration of school facilities, and a teacher shortage, as primary examples. This decline in state spending impacts lower-income communities at an even higher rate, along with private vouchers siphoning money from public education. This is why I have proposed a budget which puts our kids first and invests in public education. Wisconsin educators are doing a great job despite these challenges, but that’s not sustainable long-term.
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How will the recent change in state standards help or hurt Wisconsin schools and students?
We updated educational standards to align achievement benchmarks with the tests we give Wisconsin students. We also implemented higher standards for Math & Science, and we raised standards for Career & Technical Education. We worked with a diverse group of educator experts from across Wisconsin to determine these new benchmarks. This change will help parents more effectively understand where students are, and where they need more support. False attacks on educators’ recommendations to align to Wisconsin tests are politically-based and originate from voucher school advocates who want to privatize education.
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What changes if any would you propose in the school voucher program and the Charter School program, and why do you think they are needed – or not needed?
I am generally opposed to privatization of education, including traditional vouchers, ESA vouchers, and tax credits that funnel public money to private and parochial schools. Public funds should be used to strengthen public schools, which serve the vast majority of students and are accountable to the public. Voucher programs divert critical resources away from public schools, often leaving them underfunded and less equipped to meet the needs of their students. Meanwhile, private and parochial schools receiving these funds are not held to the same transparency and accountability standards as public schools, creating inequities and undermining public education as a whole. Public dollars should come with public oversight to ensure transparency and equity.
I believe all charter schools should be chartered by locally-elected school boards, to ensure maximum accountability.
Today, however, we have vouchers and independent charters, and under my leadership, DPI does everything we can to ensure students in those schools receive the best education possible, because we should not abandon any child.
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What specific changes could be made to reduce the achievement gap between minority and white achievement?
The black-white achievement gap is a direct result of years of chronic underfunding of public schools. Since Scott Walker made deep cuts, schools are struggling to provide the support and programs students need to thrive. This gap is the result of systemic disinvestment in public education. The expansion of privatization has diverted critical funding away from public schools, disproportionately affecting students in districts like MPS. Resources have been shifted to voucher schools, exacerbating inequities and leaving public schools with less to address the needs of their students. We know how to address this gap: investing in public schools.
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Do students who lost ground during the pandemic still need assistance? What actions can and should we take to help our children catch up on what they have missed?
It is critical that we still support students who lost ground during the pandemic, many of whom experienced significant disruptions in both learning and socialization. We must continue to focus on mental health support and addressing deficiencies in academic performance due to extended remote schooling. We owe it to our kids to equip them for the future. Tutoring programs, extending summer programs and tailoring lesson plans to individual needs are some of the many ways we can and are helping kids catch back up. However, these things all come at a cost, which is why we all must advocate for their future and why I have proposed a $4 billion investment in public schools this biennium. Under my leadership we’ve beat the odds and are in an elite group of states with the highest graduation rate even in the post pandemic years. Investment is critical to sustain this.
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What is your position on police presence in our schools?
I do not believe police need a permanent presence in our school. And most education professionals I know are opposed as well. Instead, we need early interventions and to invest in kids from the beginning of their education career — in early childhood programming, social workers, after-school and wrap-around care, mental health, food security, and in high quality summer programming for enrichment, rather than pay for criminal justice support when children are older. This front-loaded investment will save the taxpayers money by building our communities up, and ensuring that we disrupt the systems of inequity that plague our highest-poverty schools.
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How can (or should) DPI address the differing needs of urban and rural districts?
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Nancy Kaplan published Port Washington-Saukville School Board in 2025 Elections 2025-01-22 17:58:09 -0600
Port Washington-Saukville School Board
Port Washington School Board
At-Large Candidates Online Information Yvonne Klotz, Incumbent email Sulaimon Jimoh Has withdrawn from the race Port Washington Candidates Online Information Karen Krainz, Incumbent email Brian Stevens, Incumbent email Other important races on your ballot:
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice
Judge Susan Crawford
Comparison with Brad Schimel
Crawford endorsementSuperintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly (Incumbent) Website
Underly questionnaire
Underly endorsementBrittany Kinser Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram Proposed Wisconsin Constitution Amendment Ballot Language
QUESTION 1: “Photographic identification for voting. Shall section 1m of article III of the constitution be created to require that voters present valid photographic identification verifying their identity in order to vote in any election, subject to exceptions which may be established by law?”
Vote NO: Here's Why
A statute, passed by the legislature and signed by the governor, establishes the requirement that in order to vote, the voter must present an approved form of photo ID to the poll worker on election day or to the municipal clerk (or agents of the clerk) when voting during early in-person voting or to vote absentee (aka vote by mail).
Embedding it in the state constitution does not alter the law or its enforcement. It simply makes it harder for some future legislature. That's because to amend the state constitution to remove the language, two successive legislatures would have to approve the language of an amendment to alter any part of the state constitution. Then the voters would also have to approve it.
Amending the constitution should be rare and should only present the principles by which we are to be governed. So having a provision that protects the right to vote certainly belongs in the constitution. Having a provision that specifies who is eligible to vote and under what circumstances is now and ought to be a matter hammered out in the legislature with the concurrence of the governor.
In 2024 and 2025, the legislature has presented Wisconsin voters with six ballot questions, each of which sought to amend the state constitution. Between 1848, when it was originally ratified, and 2023, the constitution had been amended only 148 times. So over 175 years, it has been changed 148 times. In 2024, voters were asked to ratify a further four amendments. Only three of them passed. Now another proposed amendment is on the ballot for voters to consider. These ballot measures represent the gerrymandered legislature's attempts to make policies around elections and voting rights as difficult to change as possible. Most of the amendments that voters approved in 2024 should have been legislative matters and do not present the general principles.
For more information, visit the League of Women Voters VOTE NO Toolkit for this Ballot Question.
Legislative Language
SECTION 1. Section 1m of article III of the constitution is created to read:
"[Article III] Section 1m (1) No qualified elector may cast a ballot in any election unless the elector presents valid photographic identification that verifies the elector’s identity and that is issued by this state, the federal government, a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state, or a college or university in this state. The legislature shall by law establish acceptable forms of photographic identification, and the legislature may by law establish exceptions to the requirement under this subsection.
"(2) A qualified elector who is unable to present valid photographic identification on election day shall be permitted to cast a provisional ballot. A provisional ballot may not be counted unless the elector presents valid photographic identification at a later time and place as provided by the legislature by law.
"SECTION 2. Numbering of new provision. If another constitutional amendment ratified by the people creates the number of any provision created in this joint resolution, the chief of the legislative reference bureau shall determine the sequencing and the numbering of the provisions whose numbers conflict.""
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City of Port Washington
Candidates Online Information Other important races on your ballot:
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice
Judge Susan Crawford
Comparison with Brad Schimel
Crawford endorsementSuperintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly (Incumbent) Website
Underly questionnaire
Underly endorsementBrittany Kinser Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram Proposed Wisconsin Constitution Amendment Ballot Language
QUESTION 1: “Photographic identification for voting. Shall section 1m of article III of the constitution be created to require that voters present valid photographic identification verifying their identity in order to vote in any election, subject to exceptions which may be established by law?”
Vote NO: Here's Why
A statute, passed by the legislature and signed by the governor, establishes the requirement that in order to vote, the voter must present an approved form of photo ID to the poll worker on election day or to the municipal clerk (or agents of the clerk) when voting during early in-person voting or to vote absentee (aka vote by mail).
Embedding it in the state constitution does not alter the law or its enforcement. It simply makes it harder for some future legislature. That's because to amend the state constitution to remove the language, two successive legislatures would have to approve the language of an amendment to alter any part of the state constitution. Then the voters would also have to approve it.
Amending the constitution should be rare and should only present the principles by which we are to be governed. So having a provision that protects the right to vote certainly belongs in the constitution. Having a provision that specifies who is eligible to vote and under what circumstances is now and ought to be a matter hammered out in the legislature with the concurrence of the governor.
In 2024 and 2025, the legislature has presented Wisconsin voters with six ballot questions, each of which sought to amend the state constitution. Between 1848, when it was originally ratified, and 2023, the constitution had been amended only 148 times. So over 175 years, it has been changed 148 times. In 2024, voters were asked to ratify a further four amendments. Only three of them passed. Now another proposed amendment is on the ballot for voters to consider. These ballot measures represent the gerrymandered legislature's attempts to make policies around elections and voting rights as difficult to change as possible. Most of the amendments that voters approved in 2024 should have been legislative matters and do not present the general principles.
For more information, visit the League of Women Voters VOTE NO Toolkit for this Ballot Question.
Legislative Language
SECTION 1. Section 1m of article III of the constitution is created to read:
"[Article III] Section 1m (1) No qualified elector may cast a ballot in any election unless the elector presents valid photographic identification that verifies the elector’s identity and that is issued by this state, the federal government, a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state, or a college or university in this state. The legislature shall by law establish acceptable forms of photographic identification, and the legislature may by law establish exceptions to the requirement under this subsection.
"(2) A qualified elector who is unable to present valid photographic identification on election day shall be permitted to cast a provisional ballot. A provisional ballot may not be counted unless the elector presents valid photographic identification at a later time and place as provided by the legislature by law.
"SECTION 2. Numbering of new provision. If another constitutional amendment ratified by the people creates the number of any provision created in this joint resolution, the chief of the legislative reference bureau shall determine the sequencing and the numbering of the provisions whose numbers conflict.""
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Village of Grafton
Grafton Village President
Candidates Online Information Dan Delorit, Incumbent LinkedIn | email Lisa Uribe Harbeck Facebook | email Grafton Village Board
Candidates Online Information Sarah Scarpace LinkedIn | email Kevin D. Curtis Website | email Dave Armstrong, Incumbent email Jim Miller, Incumbent email Carl Stier email Other important races on your ballot:
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice
Judge Susan Crawford
Comparison with Brad Schimel
Crawford endorsementSuperintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly (Incumbent) Website
Underly questionnaire
Underly endorsementBrittany Kinser Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram Proposed Wisconsin Constitution Amendment Ballot Language
QUESTION 1: “Photographic identification for voting. Shall section 1m of article III of the constitution be created to require that voters present valid photographic identification verifying their identity in order to vote in any election, subject to exceptions which may be established by law?”
Vote NO: Here's Why
A statute, passed by the legislature and signed by the governor, establishes the requirement that in order to vote, the voter must present an approved form of photo ID to the poll worker on election day or to the municipal clerk (or agents of the clerk) when voting during early in-person voting or to vote absentee (aka vote by mail).
Embedding it in the state constitution does not alter the law or its enforcement. It simply makes it harder for some future legislature. That's because to amend the state constitution to remove the language, two successive legislatures would have to approve the language of an amendment to alter any part of the state constitution. Then the voters would also have to approve it.
Amending the constitution should be rare and should only present the principles by which we are to be governed. So having a provision that protects the right to vote certainly belongs in the constitution. Having a provision that specifies who is eligible to vote and under what circumstances is now and ought to be a matter hammered out in the legislature with the concurrence of the governor.
In 2024 and 2025, the legislature has presented Wisconsin voters with six ballot questions, each of which sought to amend the state constitution. Between 1848, when it was originally ratified, and 2023, the constitution had been amended only 148 times. So over 175 years, it has been changed 148 times. In 2024, voters were asked to ratify a further four amendments. Only three of them passed. Now another proposed amendment is on the ballot for voters to consider. These ballot measures represent the gerrymandered legislature's attempts to make policies around elections and voting rights as difficult to change as possible. Most of the amendments that voters approved in 2024 should have been legislative matters and do not present the general principles.
For more information, visit the League of Women Voters VOTE NO Toolkit for this Ballot Question.
Legislative Language
SECTION 1. Section 1m of article III of the constitution is created to read:
"[Article III] Section 1m (1) No qualified elector may cast a ballot in any election unless the elector presents valid photographic identification that verifies the elector’s identity and that is issued by this state, the federal government, a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state, or a college or university in this state. The legislature shall by law establish acceptable forms of photographic identification, and the legislature may by law establish exceptions to the requirement under this subsection.
"(2) A qualified elector who is unable to present valid photographic identification on election day shall be permitted to cast a provisional ballot. A provisional ballot may not be counted unless the elector presents valid photographic identification at a later time and place as provided by the legislature by law.
"SECTION 2. Numbering of new provision. If another constitutional amendment ratified by the people creates the number of any provision created in this joint resolution, the chief of the legislative reference bureau shall determine the sequencing and the numbering of the provisions whose numbers conflict.""
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Whitefish Bay School Board
Candidates Online Information Other important races on your ballot:
Supreme Court of Wisconsin Judge Susan Crawford Website | Facebook | instagram | X (Twitter)
Grassroots North Shore endorsementSuperintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly (Incumbent) Website | Underly questionnaire | Grassroots North Shore endorsement Brittany Kinser Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram Proposed Wisconsin Constitution Amendment Ballot Language
QUESTION 1: “Photographic identification for voting. Shall section 1m of article III of the constitution be created to require that voters present valid photographic identification verifying their identity in order to vote in any election, subject to exceptions which may be established by law?”
Vote NO: Here's Why
A statute, passed by the legislature and signed by the governor, establishes the requirement that in order to vote, the voter must present an approved form of photo ID to the poll worker on election day or to the municipal clerk (or agents of the clerk) when voting during early in-person voting or to vote absentee (aka vote by mail).
Embedding it in the state constitution does not alter the law or its enforcement. It simply makes it harder for some future legislature. That's because to amend the state constitution to remove the language, two successive legislatures would have to approve the language of an amendment to alter any part of the state constitution. Then the voters would also have to approve it.
Amending the constitution should be rare and should only present the principles by which we are to be governed. So having a provision that protects the right to vote certainly belongs in the constitution. Having a provision that specifies who is eligible to vote and under what circumstances is now and ought to be a matter hammered out in the legislature with the concurrence of the governor.
In 2024 and 2025, the legislature has presented Wisconsin voters with six ballot questions, each of which sought to amend the state constitution. Between 1848, when it was originally ratified, and 2023, the constitution had been amended only 148 times. So over 175 years, it has been changed 148 times. In 2024, voters were asked to ratify a further four amendments. Only three of them passed. Now another proposed amendment is on the ballot for voters to consider. These ballot measures represent the gerrymandered legislature's attempts to make policies around elections and voting rights as difficult to change as possible. Most of the amendments that voters approved in 2024 should have been legislative matters and do not present the general principles.
For more information, visit the League of Women Voters VOTE NO Toolkit for this Ballot Question.
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Glendale
Offices Candidates and Online Information Alder District 1 Tomika Vukovic, Incumbent
emailAlder District 3 John Gelhard, Incumbent
emailAlder District 5 Steve Schmelzling, Incumbent
emailOther important races on your ballot:
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Judge Susan Crawford
Comparison with Brad Schimel
Crawford endorsementSuperintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly (Incumbent) Website
Underly questionnaire
Underly endorsementBrittany Kinser Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram Wisconsin Appeals Court District 2 Mark Gundrum, Incumbent Proposed Wisconsin Constitution Amendment Ballot Language
QUESTION 1: “Photographic identification for voting. Shall section 1m of article III of the constitution be created to require that voters present valid photographic identification verifying their identity in order to vote in any election, subject to exceptions which may be established by law?”
Vote NO: Here's Why
A statute, passed by the legislature and signed by the governor, establishes the requirement that in order to vote, the voter must present an approved form of photo ID to the poll worker on election day or to the municipal clerk (or agents of the clerk) when voting during early in-person voting or to vote absentee (aka vote by mail).
Embedding it in the state constitution does not alter the law or its enforcement. It simply makes it harder for some future legislature. That's because to amend the state constitution to remove the language, two successive legislatures would have to approve the language of an amendment to alter any part of the state constitution. Then the voters would also have to approve it.
Amending the constitution should be rare and should only present the principles by which we are to be governed. So having a provision that protects the right to vote certainly belongs in the constitution. Having a provision that specifies who is eligible to vote and under what circumstances is now and ought to be a matter hammered out in the legislature with the concurrence of the governor.
In 2024 and 2025, the legislature has presented Wisconsin voters with six ballot questions, each of which sought to amend the state constitution. Between 1848, when it was originally ratified, and 2023, the constitution had been amended only 148 times. So over 175 years, it has been changed 148 times. In 2024, voters were asked to ratify a further four amendments. Only three of them passed. Now another proposed amendment is on the ballot for voters to consider. These ballot measures represent the gerrymandered legislature's attempts to make policies around elections and voting rights as difficult to change as possible. Most of the amendments that voters approved in 2024 should have been legislative matters and do not present the general principles.
For more information, visit the League of Women Voters VOTE NO Toolkit for this Ballot Question.
Legislative Language
SECTION 1. Section 1m of article III of the constitution is created to read:
"[Article III] Section 1m (1) No qualified elector may cast a ballot in any election unless the elector presents valid photographic identification that verifies the elector’s identity and that is issued by this state, the federal government, a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state, or a college or university in this state. The legislature shall by law establish acceptable forms of photographic identification, and the legislature may by law establish exceptions to the requirement under this subsection.
"(2) A qualified elector who is unable to present valid photographic identification on election day shall be permitted to cast a provisional ballot. A provisional ballot may not be counted unless the elector presents valid photographic identification at a later time and place as provided by the legislature by law.
"SECTION 2. Numbering of new provision. If another constitutional amendment ratified by the people creates the number of any provision created in this joint resolution, the chief of the legislative reference bureau shall determine the sequencing and the numbering of the provisions whose numbers conflict.""
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Steve Cain
Candidate for Ozaukee County Circuit Judge, Branch 2 
Other important races on your ballot:
Supreme Court of Wisconsin Judge Susan Crawford Website | Facebook | instagram | X (Twitter)
Grassroots North Shore endorsementSuperintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly (Incumbent) Website
Underly questionnaire
Underly endorsementBrittany Kinser Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram Proposed Wisconsin Constitution Amendment Ballot Language
QUESTION 1: “Photographic identification for voting. Shall section 1m of article III of the constitution be created to require that voters present valid photographic identification verifying their identity in order to vote in any election, subject to exceptions which may be established by law?”
Vote NO: Here's Why
A statute, passed by the legislature and signed by the governor, establishes the requirement that in order to vote, the voter must present an approved form of photo ID to the poll worker on election day or to the municipal clerk (or agents of the clerk) when voting during early in-person voting or to vote absentee (aka vote by mail).
Embedding it in the state constitution does not alter the law or its enforcement. It simply makes it harder for some future legislature. That's because to amend the state constitution to remove the language, two successive legislatures would have to approve the language of an amendment to alter any part of the state constitution. Then the voters would also have to approve it.
Amending the constitution should be rare and should only present the principles by which we are to be governed. So having a provision that protects the right to vote certainly belongs in the constitution. Having a provision that specifies who is eligible to vote and under what circumstances is now and ought to be a matter hammered out in the legislature with the concurrence of the governor.
In 2024 and 2025, the legislature has presented Wisconsin voters with six ballot questions, each of which sought to amend the state constitution. Between 1848, when it was originally ratified, and 2023, the constitution had been amended only 148 times. So over 175 years, it has been changed 148 times. In 2024, voters were asked to ratify a further four amendments. Only three of them passed. Now another proposed amendment is on the ballot for voters to consider. These ballot measures represent the gerrymandered legislature's attempts to make policies around elections and voting rights as difficult to change as possible. Most of the amendments that voters approved in 2024 should have been legislative matters and do not present the general principles.
For more information, visit the League of Women Voters VOTE NO Toolkit for this Ballot Question.
Legislative Language
SECTION 1. Section 1m of article III of the constitution is created to read:
"[Article III] Section 1m (1) No qualified elector may cast a ballot in any election unless the elector presents valid photographic identification that verifies the elector’s identity and that is issued by this state, the federal government, a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state, or a college or university in this state. The legislature shall by law establish acceptable forms of photographic identification, and the legislature may by law establish exceptions to the requirement under this subsection.
"(2) A qualified elector who is unable to present valid photographic identification on election day shall be permitted to cast a provisional ballot. A provisional ballot may not be counted unless the elector presents valid photographic identification at a later time and place as provided by the legislature by law.
"SECTION 2. Numbering of new provision. If another constitutional amendment ratified by the people creates the number of any provision created in this joint resolution, the chief of the legislative reference bureau shall determine the sequencing and the numbering of the provisions whose numbers conflict.""
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Fox Point-Bayside School Board
1 seats
Candidates Online Information Andrew Carlson email Dr. David Melby, Incumbent Rebecca Wahlberg Other important races on your ballot:
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice
Judge Susan Crawford
Comparison with Brad Schimel
Crawford endorsementSuperintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly (Incumbent) Website
Underly questionnaire
Underly endorsementBrittany Kinser Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram Proposed Wisconsin Constitution Amendment Ballot Language
QUESTION 1: “Photographic identification for voting. Shall section 1m of article III of the constitution be created to require that voters present valid photographic identification verifying their identity in order to vote in any election, subject to exceptions which may be established by law?”
Vote NO: Here's Why
A statute, passed by the legislature and signed by the governor, establishes the requirement that in order to vote, the voter must present an approved form of photo ID to the poll worker on election day or to the municipal clerk (or agents of the clerk) when voting during early in-person voting or to vote absentee (aka vote by mail).
Embedding it in the state constitution does not alter the law or its enforcement. It simply makes it harder for some future legislature. That's because to amend the state constitution to remove the language, two successive legislatures would have to approve the language of an amendment to alter any part of the state constitution. Then the voters would also have to approve it.
Amending the constitution should be rare and should only present the principles by which we are to be governed. So having a provision that protects the right to vote certainly belongs in the constitution. Having a provision that specifies who is eligible to vote and under what circumstances is now and ought to be a matter hammered out in the legislature with the concurrence of the governor.
In 2024 and 2025, the legislature has presented Wisconsin voters with six ballot questions, each of which sought to amend the state constitution. Between 1848, when it was originally ratified, and 2023, the constitution had been amended only 148 times. So over 175 years, it has been changed 148 times. In 2024, voters were asked to ratify a further four amendments. Only three of them passed. Now another proposed amendment is on the ballot for voters to consider. These ballot measures represent the gerrymandered legislature's attempts to make policies around elections and voting rights as difficult to change as possible. Most of the amendments that voters approved in 2024 should have been legislative matters and do not present the general principles.
For more information, visit the League of Women Voters VOTE NO Toolkit for this Ballot Question.
Legislative Language
SECTION 1. Section 1m of article III of the constitution is created to read:
"[Article III] Section 1m (1) No qualified elector may cast a ballot in any election unless the elector presents valid photographic identification that verifies the elector’s identity and that is issued by this state, the federal government, a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state, or a college or university in this state. The legislature shall by law establish acceptable forms of photographic identification, and the legislature may by law establish exceptions to the requirement under this subsection.
"(2) A qualified elector who is unable to present valid photographic identification on election day shall be permitted to cast a provisional ballot. A provisional ballot may not be counted unless the elector presents valid photographic identification at a later time and place as provided by the legislature by law.
"SECTION 2. Numbering of new provision. If another constitutional amendment ratified by the people creates the number of any provision created in this joint resolution, the chief of the legislative reference bureau shall determine the sequencing and the numbering of the provisions whose numbers conflict.""
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Shorewood School Board
2 seats
Candidates Online Information Mary Theisen Facebook Aaron Lippmann Other important races on your ballot:
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice
Judge Susan Crawford
Comparison with Brad Schimel
Crawford endorsementSuperintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly (Incumbent) Website
Underly questionnaire
Underly endorsementBrittany Kinser Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram Proposed Wisconsin Constitution Amendment Ballot Language
QUESTION 1: “Photographic identification for voting. Shall section 1m of article III of the constitution be created to require that voters present valid photographic identification verifying their identity in order to vote in any election, subject to exceptions which may be established by law?”
Vote NO: Here's Why
A statute, passed by the legislature and signed by the governor, establishes the requirement that in order to vote, the voter must present an approved form of photo ID to the poll worker on election day or to the municipal clerk (or agents of the clerk) when voting during early in-person voting or to vote absentee (aka vote by mail).
Embedding it in the state constitution does not alter the law or its enforcement. It simply makes it harder for some future legislature. That's because to amend the state constitution to remove the language, two successive legislatures would have to approve the language of an amendment to alter any part of the state constitution. Then the voters would also have to approve it.
Amending the constitution should be rare and should only present the principles by which we are to be governed. So having a provision that protects the right to vote certainly belongs in the constitution. Having a provision that specifies who is eligible to vote and under what circumstances is now and ought to be a matter hammered out in the legislature with the concurrence of the governor.
In 2024 and 2025, the legislature has presented Wisconsin voters with six ballot questions, each of which sought to amend the state constitution. Between 1848, when it was originally ratified, and 2023, the constitution had been amended only 148 times. So over 175 years, it has been changed 148 times. In 2024, voters were asked to ratify a further four amendments. Only three of them passed. Now another proposed amendment is on the ballot for voters to consider. These ballot measures represent the gerrymandered legislature's attempts to make policies around elections and voting rights as difficult to change as possible. Most of the amendments that voters approved in 2024 should have been legislative matters and do not present the general principles.
For more information, visit the League of Women Voters VOTE NO Toolkit for this Ballot Question.
Legislative Language
SECTION 1. Section 1m of article III of the constitution is created to read:
"[Article III] Section 1m (1) No qualified elector may cast a ballot in any election unless the elector presents valid photographic identification that verifies the elector’s identity and that is issued by this state, the federal government, a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state, or a college or university in this state. The legislature shall by law establish acceptable forms of photographic identification, and the legislature may by law establish exceptions to the requirement under this subsection.
"(2) A qualified elector who is unable to present valid photographic identification on election day shall be permitted to cast a provisional ballot. A provisional ballot may not be counted unless the elector presents valid photographic identification at a later time and place as provided by the legislature by law.
"SECTION 2. Numbering of new provision. If another constitutional amendment ratified by the people creates the number of any provision created in this joint resolution, the chief of the legislative reference bureau shall determine the sequencing and the numbering of the provisions whose numbers conflict.""


