Dane County Judge to Allow Challenge to Spring Election Referenda Questions to Continue

Thursday, October 19th, 2023 -- 11:00 AM

(Raymond Neupert, WRN) A Dane County judge won't toss out a lawsuit challenging a pair of referendum questions that were on the April 2023 ballot.

The referenda were a proposed constitutional amendment to allow judges to consider more factors when allowing bail, and a non-binding question whether or not "able-bodied adults" should be required to look for work while on unemployment.

Attorneys for the liberal legal group Law Forward argue that the referenda advanced to voters at the last minute and didn't properly appear on ballots. Lawyers from the Wisconsin Elections Commission said the statute giving a deadline was advisory, not mandatory.

A lawyer for the Assembly said the votes were already cast and counted. Judge Rhonda Lanford says that she can still toss out the referenda if they were improperly voted on, and will allow the case to continue.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.