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Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Rep. O'Connor authors Wisconsin Assembly bill on referendum disclosure notice

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Jerry L. O\'Connor, Wisconsin State Representative for 60th District | www.facebook.com

Jerry L. O\'Connor, Wisconsin State Representative for 60th District | www.facebook.com

The new bill authored by State Rep. Jerry L. O'Connor seeks to enhance voter understanding by mandating clear, comprehensive disclosure notices for statewide referenda and constitutional amendments, according to the Wisconsin State Assembly.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "information provided to voters concerning proposed constitutional amendments and other statewide referenda. (FE)".

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, the bill mandates the creation of a "complete state referendum disclosure notice" for proposed constitutional amendments and statewide referenda passed by the legislature, replacing the current requirement for the attorney general to prepare an explanatory statement. This notice must include the referendum date, the full text of the ballot question, a plain language summary of current law, and explanations of the implications of yes or no votes. These explanations cannot exceed one page and must be in at least 12-point font. The notice must be posted at polling sites on election day, published on the Elections Commission's voter website for at least 30 days prior to the referendum, displayed on county clerks' websites, and included with absentee ballots. This measure aims to provide voters with accessible, comprehensive information to facilitate informed voting decisions.

The bill was co-authored by Senator Cory Tomczyk (Republican-29th District), Representative David Armstrong (Republican-67th District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Representative Robert Brooks (Republican-59th District), Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara (Republican-19th District), Senator Dan Feyen (Republican-20th District), and Senator Jesse L. James (Republican-23rd District), along 13 other co-sponsors.

Jerry L. O'Connor has co-authored or authored another 120 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

O'Conner graduated from Minnesota Bible College in 1973.

O'Conner, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2025 to represent the state's 60th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Robert Brooks.

In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.

Bills Introduced by Jerry L. O'Connor in Wisconsin Assembly During 2025 Regular Session

Bill NumberDate IntroducedShort Description
AB20704/23/2025Information provided to voters concerning proposed constitutional amendments and other statewide referenda. (FE)
AB20304/23/2025Limiting liability relating to traffic control devices for manufacturers and others
AB18904/15/2025An optional final hearing by affidavit for the dissolution of a marriage
AB17404/14/2025Transmission facilities; installation of large wind energy, large solar energy, and battery energy storage systems; installation of light-mitigating technology systems; and prioritizing nuclear energy resources. (FE)
AB17104/09/2025Privacy protections for judicial officers
AB17004/09/2025Prohibiting the Department of Justice from using the legal services of nongovernmental employees. (FE)
AB16804/08/2025Various changes to the unemployment insurance law. (FE)
AB16204/08/2025Workforce metrics. (FE)
AB15204/02/2025Bid requirement for publication and printing of county board proceedings, notices, and advertisements in counties having a population of 250,000 or more and at least two English newspapers published daily
AB9002/28/2025Copies of and inspection or disclosure of information contained in certain vital records. (FE)
AB5802/24/2025Flags flown, hung, or displayed from a flagpole or the exterior of state and local buildings and eliminating a related administrative rule
AB2102/06/2025Technical colleges’ lease of their facilities to others. (FE)

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