Two constitutional amendments are on the ballot August 13th that would slow down our ability to adapt to and mitigate climate change in Wisconsin. We need every climate voter in Wisconsin to alert their friends and be sure to vote NO! In a low-turnout election like our August primary it’s easy for important changes to slip by unnoticed and for people to forget to vote. This election matters!

  1. About the amendments
  2. Prepare to vote
  3. Tell everyone you know
  4. Resources

About the amendments

Wisconsin Citizens’ Climate Lobby opposes the two constitutional amendments that are on the August 13th ballot. They each would hamstring the governor’s office from accepting any federal funds by requiring the legislature to give permission first. Think about the growing number of climate disasters that are taking place–severe weather, floods, fires, and drought. The governor would have to get permission from the legislative branch in order to receive federal disaster relief money. Under current state law it is the responsibility of the governor, as the executive branch, to receive and manage federal money for the benefit of the state. The amendments would subject the process to the gridlock, delays and partisanship of the legislative branch and would apply to all federal programs, including Inflation Reduction Act climate programs, health care, and infrastructure. Our membership worked hard to get the new federal climate funding, and we need our state to be able to move swiftly to make use of it.   

Many groups oppose the amendments, including the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Education Association Council, Wisconsin Association of Local Health Departments & Boards, Wisconsin Conservation Voters, Wisconsin Public Health Association, Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, and many state environmental groups. 

Text of the amendments:

  • Question 1: Prohibit the legislature from delegating its power to appropriate money.
  • Question 2:  Require legislative approval before the governor can expend federal money appropriated to the state.

Learn more:

Prepare to vote

  • Mark your calendar to remind you to vote NO on the amendment questions on August 13th.
  • If you will be out of town on August 13th, plan to vote absentee or early. You can find out how and request an absentee ballot at myvote.wi.gov. 
  • Find out what’s on your ballot, where you vote, and everything else related to voting at myvote.wi.gov. It’s a marvelously useful state run website. 
  • Vote for the best climate candidates running for US Senate, Congress, Wisconsin Senate and Wisconsin Assembly.

Tell everyone you know

Here are some ideas for how you can spread the word:

  • Email your friends.
  • Bring it up in conversations, by asking if they know about the election and the amendments, or sharing that you just learned about them. 
  • Share on social media.
  • Submit a newsletter article to organizations you’re connected to.
  • Write a letter to the editor.

Resources

Toolkit for spreading the word: The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin’s toolkit

Helping your friends with voting questions: Our state elections website has the answers at Myvote.wi.gov

Sample email for your contacts:
Subject: Join me in voting no on August 13th to the proposed constitutional amendments

Hi _____,

I’m writing to all my friends in Wisconsin to ask you to vote NO on two constitutional amendments that would hamstring the ability of our state to deal with climate change. 

You may not realize that there is an election on August 13th where we vote for federal and state candidates, and that it includes two constitutional amendments. The amendments would require the governor to go through our part-time, highly partisan state legislature in order to accept any money from federal programs, including disaster assistance, energy conservation, health care, transportation–any federal money. This isn’t good for our state! 

Please check your calendar and plan to vote. If you will be out of town, vote early or absentee. It’s not hard and you can arrange it online at the state elections website, myvote.wi.gov.

Remember: Vote NO on the constitutional amendment ballot questions on August 13th.

I’m happy to talk more about this with you or help you get ready to vote. You can also learn more about it on Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s website.