Senate Bill 205 aims to amend the process of providing information to voters regarding proposed constitutional amendments and statewide referenda in Wisconsin. The bill removes the requirement for the attorney general to prepare an explanatory statement for each proposed amendment or referendum. Instead, it mandates that a complete state referendum disclosure notice be included with each proposal that passes both houses of the legislature. This notice must contain the date of the referendum, the full text of the ballot question, a plain language summary of current law, and explanations of the effects of both a yes and no vote. The combined content of these explanations cannot exceed one page and must be printed in a specified format.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that the complete state referendum disclosure notice must be included in the type C notice provided by county clerks prior to any referendum. This notice will be posted at polling places on election day and published on the Elections Commission's website for at least 30 days before the referendum. It will also be included with absentee ballots sent to voters. The bill emphasizes transparency and accessibility of information to ensure voters are well-informed about the implications of their votes on proposed amendments and referenda.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 5.35(6)(a)1, 5.35, 10.01(2)(c), 10.01