On Tuesday, Wisconsin residents cast their votes on two constitutional amendments that would increase state legislators’ control over the use of federal funds in the state.
Following redistricting, there are several legislative primaries on the ballot, as well as a contested primary in Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District.
In Eau Claire, Lauri Rometti stated that she voted in favor of both amendments. She expressed her opposition to the governor having exclusive control over the use of federal funds and expressed her willingness to vote similarly if the current governor were a Republican.
“I don’t enjoy seeing the governor have sole authority over allocating cash. I also wanted to see it allocated to its legislative portion. “So there was more agreement on spending,” she said.
Rometti stated that she intends to vote for Eric Hovde for the US Senate in November. In November, she plans to vote for former President Donald Trump and Republican U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden based on policy rather than personality.
“My main concerns are immigration, inflation, and Israel, and I’m looking for candidates who will be strong on these issues.” “And I believe it is Donald Trump,” she continued.
Joseph Laabs, a third-grade teacher at Milwaukee Academy of Science Charter School, disseminated the word about the constitutional changes at work.
“I kind of disseminated it around my school.” I don’t think many people realized that was on the ballot,” he remarked.
Mary Thayer was one of several Madison voters who expressed confusion about the constitutional amendments’ text.
“I read it sixteen times and still didn’t get what they were trying to express. I got advice from some of the folks who keep track of it better, and I was able to figure out what I thought was right,” Thayer said.
She was already planning to vote against the modifications when she received a text message Tuesday morning pushing her to vote yes.
“Don’t let right-wing governors like Scott Walker spend federal aid without oversight,” the text message read, beside an image of the former Republican governor.
Republicans support the two constitutional amendments as a response to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ use of federal COVID-19 funds.
“I’m not sure who sent that SMS, but if I hadn’t received the others, it could have persuaded me. ” It’s just that the language is so convoluted,” Thayer explained.
Dan Metcalf of Eau Claire similarly had difficulty understanding the ballot initiatives’ text. He said he usually votes for Democrats, but the initiative looked like a good idea.
“I believe that a check-and-balance government is more fair. So instead of having one person be like a king or whatever, there will be another one or two other bodies that will also put in their views or whatever, rather than handing it to one guy,” he explained.
But Meltcalf, who talked with WPR after casting his ballot, said he voted against the proposals because he didn’t grasp what the outcome would be.
Polls across the state will be open until 8 p.m. Tuesday. Voters in line by 8 p.m. will be able to cast their ballots.
