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Green Bay Reporter

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Sen. Wall authors Wisconsin Senate bill mandating plain language for referendum questions

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Jamie Wall, Wisconsin State Senator for 30th District | www.wallforwisconsin.com

Jamie Wall, Wisconsin State Senator for 30th District | www.wallforwisconsin.com

A bill authored by State Sen. Jamie Wall in the Wisconsin Senate seeks to improve voter understanding by mandating clear, straightforward language for all referendum questions, including constitutional amendments, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "the form of referendum questions".

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill mandates that all referendum questions presented to voters, including those regarding constitutional amendments, must be in plain language. It stipulates that questions should not compel a negative vote for approval or an affirmative vote for disapproval. For proposed constitutional amendments, the bill requires that the referendum question clearly state whether any portion of the amendment is already part of existing statutes as of the date when the joint resolution for the referendum was finalized. These changes ensure voters are better informed and can understand ballot questions more easily, promoting clarity and transparency in voting processes.

The bill was co-authored by Representative Deb Andraca (Democrat-23rd District), Senator Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (Democrat-18th District), Senator Dora E. Drake (Democrat-4th District), Senator Dianne H. Hesselbein (Democrat-27th District), and Senator Sarah Keyeski (Democrat-14th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Brienne Brown (Democrat-43rd District), Representative Ryan M. Clancy (Democrat-19th District), and Representative Ben DeSmidt (Democrat-65th District), along with 22 other co-sponsors.

Jamie Wall has co-authored or authored another 21 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

Wall graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1993.

Wall, a Democrat, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2025 to represent the state's 30th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Eric Wimberger.

In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.

Bills Introduced by Jamie Wall in Wisconsin Senate During 2025 Regular Session

Bill NumberDate IntroducedShort Description
SB21204/16/2025The form of referendum questions
SB16203/27/2025Bid requirement for publication and printing of county board proceedings, notices, and advertisements in counties having a population of 250,000 or more and at least two English newspapers published daily

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