Wisconsin Voters Back Equality Amendment, Seek Limit on Governor Partial-Veto Power, WILL Poll Reveals

A clear majority of Wisconsin voters back a proposed constitutional amendment to bar race-based preferences in state government, while a plurality favors a separate measure to curb executive partial-veto powers, according to a statewide poll released by the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty.

WILL Policy Director Kyle Koenen said the upcoming election gives residents a direct say on two high-stakes state issues.

“Wisconsin voters will be presented with a significant opportunity in the upcoming election to stem rising property taxes and ensure state government treats all citizens equally,” Koenen said. “Our organization will play a central role in providing key information to voters ahead of Election Day.”

Voters Back Equality

The survey found 61.1% of registered voters support the Equality Amendment, which prohibits state and local entities from discriminating against or granting preferential treatment to individuals based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Opposition sits at 15.2%, with 23.7% undecided.

Support for the measure spans across political lines, drawing 65.7% of Republicans, 63% of independents and 54.2% of Democrats.

Voters Eye Limits on Wisconsin Governor Partial-Veto Power

The second proposal aims to restrict the governor from using partial vetoes to create or increase taxes and fees. That measure holds 46.5% overall support, compared to 21.7% opposed and 31.9% undecided.

Party identification heavily influences views on the veto limits. Republicans favor the change at 66.9%, while independents back it by a 2-to-1 margin. Democrats split sharply, with 27.9% in favor, 31.6% opposed and 40.5% undecided.

Debate over executive authority intensified after Gov. Tony Evers used a partial veto in 2023 to extend an annual two-year school district revenue limit increase through the year 2425. The Wisconsin Policy Forum cited that maneuver as a major driver behind last year’s 5.8% property tax levy increase, the largest jump in nearly two decades. Per-student revenue limits could rise by up to $1,300 in the 2026-27 school year if local boards take full advantage of the vetoed language.

While the constitutional amendment would not overturn the existing 400-year revenue extension, it would block future executives from enacting tax or fee hikes through selective line edits.