WisconsinWisconsin voters would decide limits on government preferences
Wisconsin voters would decide in November 2026 whether to bar state and local government entities from race- and sex-based discrimination or preferences in public activities.
What it does
If voters approve, state and local government entities could not discriminate or give preferences based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public jobs, education, contracts, or administration.
Argument forPeople might face fewer race- or sex-based preferences in public jobs, schools, contracts, and government services if voters approve the amendment.
Argument againstSome public programs might have less room to address racial or ethnic disparities, though actions needed to keep federal funding would remain allowed.
More detail
If voters approve the amendment, government entities could not discriminate or give preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, education, contracting, or administration. It would cover the state, local governments, public colleges and schools, and other state or local government bodies. The rule would not bar actions required to keep eligibility for a federal program when losing eligibility would cost the government entity federal funds. It would allow sex-based qualifications reasonably needed for the normal operation of a covered activity. Any part that conflicts with the U.S. Constitution or federal law would apply only as far as federal law permits; invalid parts could be separated from the rest. The legislature submits the proposed amendment to voters at the election on the first Tuesday of November 2026. The resolution does not state when the rule would take effect if voters approve it.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 26Published 5-26-2026. Enrolled Joint Resolution 11To Governor
- Jan 27Deposited in the office of the Secretary of State on 1-27-2026
- Jan 23Report correctly enrolled on 1-23-2026Minor
- Jan 22Received from Senate concurred inMinor
- Jan 21Ordered immediately messaged
- Vote recorded SHALL THE DECISION OF THE CHAIR STAND. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded CONCURRENCE. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded SHALL THE DECISION OF THE CHAIR STAND. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 21Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 18, Noes 15Passed 2nd Chamber
- Jan 21Rules suspended to give joint resolution its third reading
- Jan 21Ordered to a third readingMinor
- Jan 21Decision of the Chair stands as the judgment of the Senate, Ayes 18, Noes 15
- Jan 21Point of order that Senate Substitute Amendment 2 was not germane well taken
- Jan 21Decision of the Chair stands as the judgment of the Senate, Ayes 18, Noes 15
- Jan 21Point of order that Senate Substitute Amendment 1 was not germane well taken
- Jan 21Read a second timeMinor
- Jan 21Senate Substitute Amendment 2 offered by Senators Carpenter, Dassler-Alfheim, Drake, Habush Sinykin, Hesselbein, L. Johnson, Keyeski, Larson, Pfaff, Ratcliff, Roys, Smith, Spreitzer, Wall and WirchMinor
- Jan 21Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senators L. Johnson, Carpenter, Dassler-Alfheim, Drake, Habush Sinykin, Keyeski, Larson, Hesselbein, Pfaff, Ratcliff, Roys, Smith, Spreitzer, Wall and WirchMinor
- Jan 16Placed on calendar 1-21-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
- Vote recorded Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 16Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2
- Jan 14Available for scheduling
- Jan 14Read first time and referred to committee on Senate OrganizationMinor
- Jan 14Received from AssemblyMinor
- Jan 13Ordered immediately messaged
- Vote recorded ADOPTION. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 13Adopted, Ayes 54, Noes 45Passed 1st Chamber
- Jan 13Rules suspended
- Jan 13Ordered to a third readingMinor
- Jan 13Read a second timeMinor
- Jan 12Representative B. Jacobson added as a coauthor
- Jan 8Placed on calendar 1-13-2026 by Committee on Rules
- Vote recorded Report adoption recommended by Committee on Judiciary, Ayes 5, Noes 3. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 8Referred to committee on RulesMinor
- Jan 8Report adoption recommended by Committee on Judiciary, Ayes 5, Noes 3Minor
- Jan 8Executive action taken
- 2025
- Nov 5Public hearing held
- Oct 9Read first time and referred to Committee on JudiciaryMinor
- Oct 9Introduced by Representatives Murphy, Allen, Behnke, Dittrich, Donovan, Goeben, Gundrum, Knodl, Kreibich, Maxey, Melotik, Mursau, O'Connor, Piwowarczyk and Wichgers; cosponsored by Senators Nass, Wanggaard, Kapenga and TomczykIntroduced
Civil Rights & VotingGovernment & EthicsCriminal Justice