Wisconsin Assembly Bill AJR76

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 9/29/23
• Refer: 9/29/23
• Refer: 11/6/23
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

Eligibility to vote in Wisconsin (second consideration).

Impact

If approved, AJR76 would amend Article III of the Wisconsin constitution to reinforce the requirement that only U.S. citizens aged 18 and above can be qualified electors. It places a significant emphasis on citizenship, potentially affecting voter registration processes and how suffrage is defined in state law. Proponents believe that reaffirming this requirement is necessary to maintain the integrity of the electoral process, while also simplifying the language of existing laws surrounding voting eligibility.

Summary

AJR76, known as the proposed constitutional amendment regarding voting eligibility in Wisconsin, seeks to clarify the requirements for being a qualified elector. This amendment, which is set to be considered a second time by the legislature, stipulates that only a United States citizen aged 18 or older, who resides in an election district in Wisconsin, may vote in elections for national, state, or local offices as well as in state or local referendums. This proposal is a result of discussions initiated by the 2021 legislature and aims to simplify the existing eligibility criteria outlined in the Wisconsin constitution.

Contention

The amendment has stirred a range of opinions among lawmakers and the public. Supporters argue that specifying citizenship as a criterion for voting helps prevent any ambiguity in voter eligibility, promoting a clearer and more secure electoral framework. However, critics point to concerns that such measures may be seen as exclusionary, particularly in the context of immigration and could disproportionately affect marginalized communities. The bill's passage hinges on public acceptance and legislative backing during the upcoming voting cycle in November 2024.