Welfare referendum under fire
Democrats call it a ploy to entice voters to polls
Voters statewide will see a non-binding advisory referendum on the April 4 ballot asking if welfare recipients should be required to look for employment to receive benefits.
The Republicans backing the referendum say the question is necessary to address worker shortages across the state, but Democrats call it a political stunt to influence turnout in the critical Supreme Court race on the same ballot.
But what impact will the results of this referendum actually have? And what is Wisconsin’s current policy on work requirements for welfare benefits?
What’s on the ballot?
The referendum asks, “Shall ablebodied, childless adults be required to look for work in order to receive taxpayer-funded benefits?” Voters can respond yes or no.
This is one of three statewide referendum questions on the ballot, as well as Supreme Court candidates, other non-partisan races and a special election for an important state Senate seat in the Milwaukee suburbs. The other two referendum questions ask voters to approve a constitutional amendment giving judge’s more discretion when making bail decisions.
What’s an advisory referendum?
This question is an advisory referendum, which allows citizens to vote on a non-binding question, meaning the results of the referendum will not have any immediate effect or change any existing law. Rather, lawmakers can use the results to gauge public opinion and inform policy decisions, according to state documents.
However, referendums are increasingly being used by both political parties, particularly with non-partisan spring elections, which don’t usually generate great voter turnout, said Barry Burden, a political science professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
“These elections just don’t generate the same level of media coverage or