Wisconsin

Jackpine Radical

(45,274 posts) Wed Aug 6, 2014, 02:20 PM Aug 2014

What is the procedure for getting an advisory referendum on the ballot in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin law doesn't permit initiatives, i.e. citizen-originated legislation, as some states do, but we do have "advisory referenda" which are sort of like resolutions in that they express voter sentiment without actually becoming law.

I was just thinking that a marijuana referendum might really draw out the less-likely voters, who are predominantly Democratic or at least liberal (e.g. students), thereby increasing the odds of a Democratic win, as well as opening up the debate on legalization here, given that even our "liberal" politicians are too chickenshit to take it on.

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What is the procedure for getting an advisory referendum on the ballot in Wisconsin? (Original Post) Jackpine Radical Aug 2014 OP

Good Idea Half-Century Man Aug 2014 #1

I just found something online that seems to suggest that advisory referenda Jackpine Radical Aug 2014 #2

Here is an article from when a similar idea was tried in Dane co. Half-Century Man Aug 2014 #3

First Paragraph from gw13 pdf. Half-Century Man Aug 2014 #4

I think one would want to target counties based on likely payoff, e.g. getting out the student vote. Jackpine Radical Aug 2014 #5

Half-Century Man

(5,279 posts)

1. Good Idea

Reply to Jackpine Radical (Original post)

Wed Aug 6, 2014, 03:16 PM

Aug 2014

I'll see what I can find out.

Referendum PDF

http://legis.wisconsin.gov/lrb/pubs/ib/95ib5.pdf

Advisory Referendum PDF

http://legis.wisconsin.gov/lrb/pubs/wb/06wb12.pdf

Jackpine Radical

(45,274 posts)

2. I just found something online that seems to suggest that advisory referenda

Reply to Half-Century Man (Reply #1)

Wed Aug 6, 2014, 03:21 PM

Aug 2014

have to originate with a governing body--the Legislature, even a town board (although in the latter case, the referendum would only apply to something within the purview of the town board).

http://legis.wisconsin.gov/lrb/gw/gw_13.pdf

Half-Century Man

(5,279 posts)

3. Here is an article from when a similar idea was tried in Dane co.

Reply to Jackpine Radical (Reply #2)

Wed Aug 6, 2014, 03:29 PM

Aug 2014

http://badgerherald.com/news/2014/04/01/dane-county-voters-support-legalization-marijuana-redistricting-maps-km/

Half-Century Man

(5,279 posts)

4. First Paragraph from gw13 pdf.

Reply to Jackpine Radical (Reply #2)

Wed Aug 6, 2014, 03:41 PM

Aug 2014

A referendum can be
initiated by the filing of petitions
signed by electors, or it can be
called at the discretion of a legisla-
tive body.

It seems we have a path to referendum; however there is no mechinism for a state wide referendum

The
initiative is a procedure that enables
citizens to propose and enact a law,
ordinance, or resolution through a
referendum. Unlike many states,
Wisconsin does not provide for a
statewide initiative process.

We follow Dane Co. example and do it county by county.

Jackpine Radical

(45,274 posts)

5. I think one would want to target counties based on likely payoff, e.g. getting out the student vote.

Reply to Half-Century Man (Reply #4)

Wed Aug 6, 2014, 05:53 PM

Aug 2014

Probably too late to do it this time around, but it could be interesting in 2016. The first step would be to find likely counties. Presence of a university campus in a swing county might be the best combination. You would time the petition drive in accordance with the school year, recruit students to do the drive, etc. & coordinate somewhat with individual political campaigns. This might be a good avenue to take over local political bodies--county boards, town boards, school boards, city councils, etc.

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