Voters in Chippewa and Clark County as well as the surrounding area will head to the polls Tuesday, November 3, to decide a number of state and local races, along with constitutional amendments and school district questions that could affect education facilities and local government.
Among the issues appearing on area ballots is a proposed $8.5 million borrowing authorization for the Thorp School District. Voters in the Thorp School District will decide whether the district should be authorized to issue general obligation bonds totaling no more than $8.5 million for school facility improvements.
The question is worded as follows:
SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENDUM
THORP SCHOOL
Question: Shall the School District of Thorp, Clark and Taylor Counties, Wisconsin be authorized to issue pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $8,500,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of a school facility improvement project consisting of: district-wide capital maintenance and building infrastructure improvements, including plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roof, asphalt and fire safety repairs and replacements; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment?
YES
NO
A yes vote would authorize the district to borrow up to the specified amount, while a no vote would reject the borrowing authorization.
At the state level meanwhile, voters will choose Wisconsin’s next governor and lieutenant governor. The two offices appear together on the ballot, with voters selecting a gubernatorial ticket rather than voting separately for each office. Other statewide contests include attorney general, secretary of state and state treasurer. The attorney general serves as Wisconsin’s chief legal officer, while the secretary of state and state treasurer carry out duties established under state law.
Legislative races will also appear on ballots according to voters’ districts. Members of the Wisconsin State Assembly serve two-year terms, while state senators serve four-year terms, with approximately half the Senate seats up for election every two years.
Also in view are a federal contest for the Seventh Congressional District, as well as state level contests for State Senate District 23 and State Assembly District 69.
The Seventh Congressional District will have Democrat Fred Clark and Republican Michael Alfonso, each vying for Tom Tiffany s seat. The State Senate District 23 contest lists Republican Romaine Robert Quinn and Democrat Jeff Foster. The Assembly District 69 contest lists Republican incumbent Karen Hurd, Democrat Roger Halls, and independent Josh Kelley.
Local races in Chippewa County include Travis Hakes for Sheriff (unopposed), Ron Patten for Coroner (unopposed), and clerk of circuit court, split between Nate Liedl (Republican) and Jennifer Kragness Lee (Democrat).
As for local Clark County races, independent Gene R. Roehl will face off against Republican incumbent Kerry L. Kirn. Republican Clarissa M. Rochester appears for coroner, while Democrat Heather Bravener appears for clerk of circuit court.
Three proposed state constitutional amendments also appear on the ballot.
The first, titled “Partial veto,” concerns restrictions on the governor’s authority to partially veto legislation involving taxation or spending.
The second, titled “Freedom to gather in places of worship during an emergency,” addresses protections for religious gatherings during a declared state emergency.
The third, titled “Governmental entity discrimination prohibited,” concerns restrictions on discrimination or preferential treatment by governmental entities in specified areas, including public employment, public education and public contracting.
Each question provides voters with yes and no choices, requiring a simple majority to pass. The ACLU has come out against question 3, calling it misleading.
Wisconsin residents can review registration information, polling locations and sample ballots through the Wisconsin Elections Commission’s MyVote website at myvote.wi.gov.