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Bills · 2025-2026 Regular Session

AB 540

Died at session end Official bill text Atom feed

Relating to: extending voting rights to certain 17-year-old individuals and requiring a referendum.

Constitution wisconsin Elections Primary elections Referendum Voting Youth

  1. Introduced, stopped here
  2. Passes Assembly, not reached
  3. Passes Senate, not reached
  4. Governor signs, not reached
  5. Law, not reached

Unfamiliar terms? Glossary

What this bill does

Plain-language analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau

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.

Sponsors

Introduced by: Andraca (D) , Arney (D) , Brown (D) , Clancy (D) , Emerson (D) , Fitzgerald (D) , Johnson (D) , Madison (D) , McCarville (D) , Miresse (D) , Moore Omokunde (D) , Palmeri (D) , Phelps (D) , Roe (D) , Snodgrass (D) , Stroud (D) , Stubbs (D)

10 cosponsors

Dassler-Alfheim (D) , Hesselbein (D) , J. Jacobson (D) , L. Johnson (D) , Larson (D) , Ratcliff (D) , Roys (D) , Spreitzer (D) , Subeck (D) , Vining (D)

Full history

  1. Oct 15, 2025 · Assembly

    Introduced by Representatives Snodgrass, Palmeri, Andraca, Arney, Brown, Clancy, Emerson, Fitzgerald, Johnson, Madison, McCarville, Moore Omokunde, Phelps, Roe, Stroud, Stubbs and Miresse; cosponsored by Senators Roys, Dassler-Alfheim, L. Johnson, Larson, Ratcliff, Spreitzer and Hesselbein

  2. Oct 15, 2025 · Assembly

    Read first time and referred to Committee on Campaigns and Elections

  3. Oct 17, 2025 · Assembly

    Representative Subeck added as a coauthor

  4. Feb 9, 2026 · Assembly

    Representative J. Jacobson added as a coauthor

  5. Mar 20, 2026 · Assembly

    Representative Vining added as a coauthor

  6. Mar 23, 2026 · Assembly

    Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1