Natural Resources and Energy (5)
Revenue, Financial Institutions, and Rural Issues (5)
Transportation and Veterans Affairs (5)
Universities and Technical Colleges (5)
Workforce Development, Public Works, and Military Affairs (5)
Ayes: 5 − Senators Fitzgerald, Ellis, Grothman, Larson, and Hansen.
Noes: 0−None.
Sincerely,
SCOTT FITZGERALD
Majority Leader
Chair, Committee on Senate Organization
___________
Petitions and Communications
State of Wisconsin
Government Accountability Board
December 23, 2014
The Honorable, the Senate:
You have asked for the last day on which the Legislature may act to ensure that a proposed constitutional amendment can be placed on the ballot for the April 7, 2015 spring election. The Legislature must complete action on a proposed constitutional amendment no later than Tuesday, January 27, 2015.
By statute, all proposed constitutional amendments and any other measure or questions that is to be submitted to a vote of the people shall be filed with the official or agency responsible for preparing the ballots for the election no later than 70 days before the election at which the amendment, measure, or question will appear on the ballot. Wis. Stat. §8.37. Tuesday, January 27, 2015 is 70 days before the April 7, 2015 spring election. In order for the legislative action to be filed in our office, it is sufficient for the chief clerks to notify our office by e-mail no later than Tuesday, January 27, 2015 that the Legislature passed the resolution. It is not necessary that we received the signed resolution by the close of business on Tuesday, January 27, 2015.
In order to facilitate preparation for the April 2015 spring election, I suggest sponsoring legislators contact the office of the Attorney General to make arrangements for the preparation of the explanatory statement required by Wis. Stat. §10.01 (2)(c). The explanatory statement is published in the paper by the county clerk immediately before the election. It is also posted at the polling place on Election Day. Please make the appropriate arrangements to ensure that this information is communicated to the members of the Legislature. If you or any member of the Legislature has a question, please contact me at 608-261-8683, Elections Division Administrator Michael Haas at 608-266-0136, or ask to speak to one of our Elections Specialists.
Sincerely,
KEVIN J. KENNEDY
Director and General Counsel
