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Thursday, September 11, 2025

Sen. Tomczyk authors Wisconsin Senate bill to change voter referendum notices

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Cory Tomczyk Wisconsin State Senator (District 29) | https://www.facebook.com

Cory Tomczyk Wisconsin State Senator (District 29) | https://www.facebook.com

The new bill authored by State Sen. Cory Tomczyk seeks to improve transparency and clarity in communicating referendum details to voters across Wisconsin, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "information provided to voters concerning proposed constitutional amendments and other statewide referenda. (FE)".

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

In essence, the bill mandates a change in the process of informing voters about constitutional amendments and statewide referenda. It stipulates that a complete state referendum disclosure notice must be included with each proposal passing both legislative houses. This disclosure notice requires the referendum date, the full ballot question and text of the proposal, and plain language explanations of both the current law and the effects of "yes" or "no" votes. These explanations must fit on one page with specific formatting criteria. Additionally, the notice must be published online by the Elections Commission on voter registration sites and displayed by county clerks. It must also accompany absentee ballots. The bill eliminates the requirement for the attorney general to prepare explanatory statements. This change is intended to streamline and clarify voter information regarding referenda.

The bill was co-authored by Representative Jerry L. O'Connor (Republican-60th District), Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara (Republican-19th District), Senator Jesse L. James (Republican-23rd District). It was co-sponsored by Representative David Armstrong (Republican-67th District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), and Representative Robert Brooks (Republican-59th District), along 13 other co-sponsors.

Cory Tomczyk has authored or co-authored another 84 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

Tomczyk, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2023 to represent the state's 29th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Jerry Petrowski.

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 Cory Tomczyk in Wisconsin Senate During 2025 Regular Session

Bill NumberDate IntroducedShort Description
SB20504/16/2025Information provided to voters concerning proposed constitutional amendments and other statewide referenda. (FE)
SB19604/14/2025Various changes to the unemployment insurance law. (FE)
SB18604/14/2025Training completion awards for volunteer firefighters. (FE)
SB18404/14/2025Governmental restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle or other device
SB16704/03/2025Possession of a firearm on school grounds by school employees and fees for licenses to carry a concealed weapon. (FE)
SB15703/27/2025Prohibiting gender transition medical intervention for individuals under 18 years of age
SB15503/21/2025Requiring periodic inspections of parking structures
SB14003/21/2025Provisional social worker certificates and licenses
SB13603/14/2025School bus back-up lamps
SB13403/14/2025Alternative open enrollment application procedures for residency change based on military orders
SB12603/14/2025The effective date of certain provisions contained in 2023 Wisconsin Act 126
SB12003/07/2025School board policies related to changing a pupil’s legal name and pronouns
SB11403/07/2025Sales and use tax exemption for diapers and feminine hygiene products. (FE)
SB10503/07/2025Jailers and protective occupation annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System who are rehired by a participating employer. (FE)
SB9703/07/2025Parental notification of alleged sexual misconduct by a school staff member. (FE)
SB8202/26/2025Governmental restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle or other device
SB7902/26/2025A disclaimer of parental rights and payments allowed in connection with an adoption
SB6502/21/2025Impoundment of vehicles used in certain reckless driving offenses. (FE)
SB5902/21/2025Tuition and fee remission for certain veterans and their dependents enrolled in the University of Wisconsin System or a technical college. (FE)
SB5602/21/2025The use of federal capitalization grant funds for lead service line replacement. (FE)
SB5302/21/2025Requiring the display of the national motto in public schools and on public buildings. (FE)
SB4002/12/2025Flags flown, hung, or displayed from a flagpole or the exterior of state and local buildings and eliminating a related administrative rule
SB3302/12/2025Representations depicting nudity and providing a penalty
SB3202/12/2025Requiring a school board to spend at least 70 percent of its operating expenditures on direct classroom expenditures and annual pay increases for school administrators. (FE)
SB2702/07/2025Requiring state employees to perform their work at the offices of their employer. (FE)
SB2202/05/2025Requiring school boards to make textbooks, curricula, and instructional materials available for inspection by school district residents
SB1702/05/2025Special circumstances battery to a community service officer and providing a penalty
SB1602/05/2025Participation in interscholastic athletics and application of the public records and open meetings laws to interscholastic athletic associations
SB901/24/2025Special registration plates with white lettering on a black background. (FE)
SB801/24/2025Repair and replacement of implements of husbandry under warranty
SB301/24/2025Requiring local approval for certain wind and solar projects before Public Service Commission approval
SB201/24/2025Expanding veterans benefits to individuals who served in Laos in support of the United States during the Vietnam War

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