Evers Proposes Citizen-Led Ballot Initiatives in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has proposed allowing citizen-led ballot initiatives in his 2025-27 biennial budget, aiming to empower voters to enact policy changes such as cannabis legalization. Currently, Wisconsin is one of the few states without a process for citizen-initiated ballot measures, which has hindered public support for reforms that the GOP-controlled Legislature has ignored. Evers emphasized that the will of the people should dictate law, criticizing Republican lawmakers for placing constitutional amendments on the ballot without providing the same opportunity to citizens. Surveys indicate strong bipartisan support for issues like legalizing marijuana, yet the Legislature has repeatedly blocked such reforms. This initiative could allow citizens to propose statutory changes and referenda for laws currently in place, including potentially contentious issues like abortion rights. Evers has previously attempted to push this agenda but faced obstacles from the Republican majority in the Legislature.