Wisconsin Question 1, Gubernatorial Succession Amendment (April 1979)

Wisconsin Question 1
Election date April 3, 1979
Topic State executive official measures
Status Approved
Type Legislatively referred constitutional amendment	Origin State legislature

Wisconsin Question 1 was on the ballot as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment in Wisconsin on April 3, 1979. It was approved.

A "yes" vote supported amending the constitution to define that a vacancy in the office of Governor should be filled by the Lieutenant Governor, followed by the Secretary of State.

A "no" vote opposed amending the constitution to define that a vacancy in the office of Governor should be filled by the Lieutenant Governor, followed by the Secretary of State.

Election results

Wisconsin Question 1
Result		Votes	Prozentualer Anteil
Yes		538,959	74.20%
No		187,440	25.80%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Question 1 was as follows:

"

Gubernatorial succession. Shall sections 7 and 8 (except the first sentence thereof) of article V of the constitution be amended so that the lieutenant governor, or the secretary of state if there is a vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor, succeeds to the office of governor as "governor" whenever there is a permanent vacancy, but continues to serve in the office as "acting governor" wherever the vacancy is temporary?

”

Constitutional changes

Note: Use your mouse to scroll over the below text to see the full text.

[Article V] Section 7. In the case of the impeachment of (1) Upon the governor's death, resignation or removal from office, the lieutenant governor shall become governor for the balance of the unexpired term. (2) If the governor, or his removal from office, death, inability is absent from this state, impeached, or from mental or physical disease, resignation, or absent from the state, the powers and becomes incapable of performing the duties of the office shall devolve upon, the lieutenant governor shall server as acting governor for the residue balance of the unexpired term or until the governor, absent or impeached, shall have returned or returns, the disability shall cease ceases or the impeachment is vacated. But when the governor shall, with the consent or the legislature, shall be out of the the this state in time of war, at the head of the state's military force thereof, he the governor shall continue as commander in chief of the military force of the state. Section 8. The lieutenant governor shall be president of the president of the senate, but shall have only a casting vote therein. (1) If; during there is a vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor, and the lieutenant governor shall be dies, resigns or is removed from office, the secretary of state shall become governor for the balance of the unexpired term. (2) If there is a vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor and the governor is absent from this state, impeached, displaced, resign, die, or from mental or physical disease become becomes incapable of performing the duties of his the office, or be absent from the state, the secretary of state shall act serve as acting governor for the balance of the unexpired term or until the vacancy shall be filled or the governor returns, the disability shall cease ceases or the impeachment is vacated.

Path to the ballot

See also: Amending the Wisconsin Constitution

A simple majority vote is required during two legislative sessions for the Wisconsin State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 50 votes in the Wisconsin State Assembly and 17 votes in the Wisconsin State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

See also

1979 Measures

• 1979 Measures
• State executive official measures on the ballot
• 1979 legislative sessions

Wisconsin

• Wisconsin ballot measures
• Wisconsin ballot measure laws

News and analysis

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