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WI SB509
WI SB509Extending voting rights to certain 17-year-old individuals and requiring a referendum.
summary
Introduced
10/09/2025
10/09/2025
In Committee
10/09/2025
10/09/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/23/2026
03/23/2026
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Currently, in addition to other qualifications, an individual must be at least 18 years of age to vote at an election in this state. This bill allows an individual who is 17 years of age to vote at a primary if the individual will be 18 years of age on the date on which the election following the primary is held. Because the bill extends the right to vote to a class of individuals beyond the class currently entitled to vote under the Wisconsin Constitution, the bill cannot become law unless, following enactment, it is approved by the majority of the votes cast at a statewide referendum to be held at the November 2026 general election.
AI Summary
This bill proposes to extend voting rights to certain 17-year-old individuals by allowing them to vote in primary elections if they will be 18 years old on the date of the general election following the primary. The bill modifies several sections of Wisconsin's election law to clarify that 17-year-olds can participate in primaries under specific conditions. To ensure broad public support for this change, the bill requires a statewide referendum to be held in November 2026, where voters will decide whether to approve the new voting provision. If a majority of voters approve the measure, the law will take effect on January 1, 2027, enabling 17-year-olds who will turn 18 by the general election to vote in the preceding primary. The changes apply to various election-related contexts, including military elector lists, overseas voters, and challenged voter procedures, consistently applying the new standard of allowing 17-year-olds to vote in primaries if they will be 18 by the subsequent general election.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (23)
Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (D)*,
Dianne Hesselbein (D)*,
LaTonya Johnson (D)*,
Chris Larson (D)*,
Melissa Ratcliff (D)*,
Kelda Roys (D)*,
Mark Spreitzer (D)*,
Deb Andraca (D),
Margaret Arney (D),
Brienne Brown (D),
Ryan Clancy (D),
Jodene Emerson (D),
Joan Fitzgerald (D),
Tara Johnson (D),
Darrin Madison (D),
Maureen McCarville (D),
Supreme Moore Omokunde (D),
Lori Palmeri (D),
Christian Phelps (D),
Ann Roe (D),
Lee Snodgrass (D),
Angela Stroud (D),
Shelia Stubbs (D),
Last Action
Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 (on 03/23/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb509 |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB509.pdf |
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