Wisconsin Constitution Article XII - Amendments
Wisconsin Constitution – Article XII: Amendments
Overview:
Article XII of the Wisconsin Constitution lays out the process for amending the state constitution. It provides the legal steps that must be followed to either amend existing provisions or add new ones.
🔹 Key Sections of Article XII:
§1 – Method of Amending Constitution
An amendment must be proposed by the Legislature.
It must pass both houses (Senate and Assembly) in two consecutive legislative sessions.
After passing twice, the amendment is submitted to the people for a vote in a general election.
If approved by a majority of voters, it becomes part of the constitution.
🔹 This is a three-step process:
Legislative approval (twice).
Publication to inform the public.
Ratification by popular vote.
§2 – Constitutional Convention
A constitutional convention can be called if two-thirds of both houses of the Legislature agree.
Voters must then approve the idea of holding a convention via a public referendum.
If approved, a convention is convened to revise or amend the constitution.
Any proposed changes must still be submitted to the voters for final approval.
🔹 Summary:
Wisconsin has a deliberate and multi-step amendment process to ensure that constitutional changes reflect broad, sustained consensus—first in the Legislature, then among voters. It also allows for a more comprehensive overhaul via a constitutional convention, though that is rarely used.
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