worship, even when other types of public gatherings have been closed. A “yes” vote on Question 2, would vote to amend Wis. Const. Art. I, § 18. The amendment would prohibit the state and local governments from closing, or prohibiting gatherings in places of worship, during a state of emergency. A “no” vote on Question 2, would vote not to amend Wis. Const. Art. I, § 18, of the Wisconsin Constitution. Explanatory statement regarding Question 3: Under current law, both under Article I, Section 1, of the Wisconsin Constitution and the Equal Protection Clause of the14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, states and local governments may not discriminate, based on race, ethnicity, color, national origin or sex, except under specific circumstances. For race, color, ethnicity or national origin, discrimination in favor of, or against, a group is permissible, only if the government has a compelling interest and a narrowly tailored remedy. For sex, discrimination is permissible, if it serves an important government interest and is substantially related to that interest. Current law also makes distinctions, depending on whether discrimination is overt and intentional, or merely a disparate impact of a neutral policy. The proposed amendment would create a new provision, Article I, Section 27, which would prohibit state and local governmental entities from discriminating, or granting preferential treatment, Continued on Page 14 worship, even when other types of public gatherings have been closed. A “yes” vote on Question 2, would vote to amend Wis. Const. Art. I, § 18. The amendment would prohibit the state and local governments from closing, or prohibiting gatherings in places of worship, during a state of emergency. A “no” vote on Question 2, would vote not to amend Wis. Const. Art. I, § 18, of the Wisconsin Constitution. Explanatory statement regarding Question 3: Under current law, both under Article I, Section 1, of the Wisconsin Constitution and the Equal Protection Clause of the14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, states and local governments may not discriminate, based on race, ethnicity, color, national origin or sex, except under specific circumstances. For race, color, ethnicity or national origin, discrimination in favor of, or against, a group is permissible, only if the government has a compelling interest and a narrowly tailored remedy. For sex, discrimination is permissible, if it serves an important government interest and is substantially related to that interest. Current law also makes distinctions, depending on whether discrimination is overt and intentional, or merely a disparate impact of a neutral policy. The proposed amendment would create a new provision, Article I, Section 27, which would prohibit state and local governmental entities from discriminating, or granting preferential treatment, Continued on Page 14
