As I See It
Yes or no on referendum? It doesn’t matter
Just months after Wisconsin voters were asked to approve a statewide referendum, yet another referendum awaits voters in November. On election day, voters statewide will be asked to approve a small change in the state constitution dealing with voting eligibility. The Wisconsin constitution states every United States citizen age 18 or older who is a resident of an election district in this state is a qualified elector of that district. Essentially, it says you have to be a citizen to cast a ballot. The referendum asks if the word “every” should be replaced with “only.” Ironically, no matter if Wisconsin voters say yes or no to this referendum, nothing changes. That is because it is already illegal for non-citizens to vote in Wisconsin’s elections. Federal laws prohibit non-citizens from voting and no cities or towns in Wisconsin allow non-citizens to vote in municipal elections. There are no efforts to change that. In other words, this referendum is meaningless. Wisconsin voters have faced four statewide referenda already this year. We are getting referendum fatigue. If our lawmakers insist on putting referenda before voters, it should be to take our pulse on things that really matter.
Kevin
October 8, 2024 at 6:25 am
Words matter, the meaning of words matter, the way you say the words matter, the way you interpret the words matter.
I think Satan perfected the art of the con in the Garden of Eden, “Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”
Democrats, squishy republicans, and the non-committal independents love to say our elections secure, they say our border is secure, they say there is no inflation, they say blue masks will keep you safe, they say the vaccine is 100% effective, they say girls can be boys with a simple hormonal cocktail and breast removal, they say boys can be girls with a few snips and a slightly different hormonal cocktail, they say alot of things…..we never quite no who ‘they’ is, but somehow ‘they’ seem to carry the day.
I call bullshit SRS…you are right they ought to do something worthwhile, such as ‘enforce the laws’ that were written, the way they were written, then perhaps we wouldn’t need the constant modification of laws and added referendums to clarify the words in the laws!
walden
October 8, 2024 at 1:09 pm
Apparently Shaw has not yet mastered the English language. The constitution as it is currently written specifies “residents” can vote; but does not proscribe those that cannot, like illegal aliens that have established residence. This language needs to be tidied up before the Dems in Madison follow other states allowing illegals to vote in state elections. This change would also align state law with current federal voting requirements.
We have been peppered with various meaningless Leftist “advisory referendums” at the county and state level, remember Steve Doyle’s advisory “weed” referendums as gimmicks to get “really dumb kids” (Kamala’s description) to vote. Yet this is the first time Shaw has said your vote really doesn’t matter, so don’t bother. He takes this position because he cannot say outright that he backs illegals voting in WI. This is journalistic slight-of-hand.
If you value your vote; vote YES on this update to the Wisconsin Constitution.
Roy
October 8, 2024 at 2:23 pm
Then, former County Board Chair Kruse loved her pinko “Advisory Referenda” intended to juice the liberal turnout and get her favorites elected. Each one cost the taxpayers 5 grand.
Wait, I forgot. That is a non-partisan body.
Tom
October 9, 2024 at 11:25 am
If it doesn’t matter, then there should be no opposition to voting “Yes” on the Referendum. Thank you.