Two Important WI Supreme Court Decisions

Two Important Wisconsin Supreme Court Decisions to Know About

(and an election date reminder for August 13, 2024)

Wisconsin State Capitol, by Warren LeMay via Flickr

There were two important Wisconsin Supreme Court decisions handed down on July 5, 2024.

1) Victory for Knowles-Nelson Stewardship funding for land conservation

In a ruling impacting spending of state Stewardship Program funds, the Wisconsin Supreme Court declared unconstitutional a process that the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) has used to halt purchases of land and easements for outdoor recreation and protection of natural areas. Even though sufficient funds had been appropriated in the state budget for such stewardship projects and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources had approved the projects, the Legislature had authorized the JFC to step in and block the planned spending. In many cases, the JFC never publicly explained its opposition. The opinion by a 6-1 majority, including both conservative and liberal justices, sides with Gov. Tony Evers. This ruling will void the law that enabled the JFC to prevent spending Stewardship funds on projects with willing sellers and broad public support.

2) Return of ballot drop boxes

The Court ruled that voters in Wisconsin will once again have the option to return absentee ballots to safe and secure drop boxes. The 4-3 decision, released Friday, July 5th, 2024, reverses a 2022 ruling that imposed a near-total ban on ballot drop boxes. It is widely held that drop boxes make it easier to cast a vote.

Reminder about the upcoming August 13th partisan primary

The August 13th partisan primary is just around the corner. Absentee ballots are arriving in mailboxes. Not only will voters be selecting candidates in federal, state and local partisan races, but they will be asked to respond to two state ballot questions about constitutional amendments. Our June 18, 2024 post provides background on the two questions and what they mean. As a reminder, a “no” vote on both questions retains the Office of the Governor’s authority to accept federal monies on behalf of the state and use it to respond to a variety of pressing state and local needs. A “yes” vote would require legislative approval before the Governor could expend the funding and make it available to communities.

Not sure where or how to vote? Learn more at myvote.wi.gov.