|
We're starting to hear from people around the state who are interested in placing a referendum on troop withdrawal from Iraq on their local ballot in next April's spring election. To do this you must prevail on county boards to pass a resolution to get it on the ballot. We have just learned that citizens cannot petition to directly place a opinion question on the ballot. This method can only be used for attempts to initiate or modify legislation. -- Stay tuned for further legal opinions. You may still want to initiate a petition drive to show local support. This means you will need to collect signatures of residents eqaul or more than 15% of the votes cast for governor at the last general election for your municipality. See WI §9.20 Direct Legislation.
For a county board resolution -- Your first step would be to find a sympathetic county supervisor who would be willing to introduce your resolution, which might read: "Be it resolved that the [your county's name here] County Board of Supervisors hereby authorizes the placement on the April 4, 2006, ballot of the following advisory referendum: 'Should the United States begin an immediate withdrawal of its troops from Iraq, beginning with the National Guard and Reserves?'"
Chances are good you'll meet some opposition from members who don't consider this a "county" issue, or who feel that, if they approve, they are agreeing with the need for troop withdrawal. You will need to clearly make your case that this referendum question does not in itself promote troop withdrawal -- it only gives citizens the right to express their opinions on the question. It is a means of stimulating discussion about the war.
It may take multiple attempts to convince your county board to approve this measure. It would be helpful to enlist the support of local clergy and families with loved ones serving in Iraq. You could also consider a petition drive as a way to impress upon your county board how much support there is for the referendum. Also consider approaching possible allies like progressive Democrats, Libertarians, etc.
I have not thoroughly researched the question of deadlines, but the last date on which nomination papers can be submitted for persons wishing to run for office in the spring is January 3, so I'm thinking you should attempt to pass this resolution by the December meeting of your county board at latest. One of the risks of this approach is that your board could vote to approve the referendum at one meeting and then reverse itself at the next.
Remember that the wording for the referendum may be modified at the discretion of local groups.
If you have questions that haven't been answered here, please contact me.
Jeff Peterson, Coordinator Iraq Troop Withdrawal Referendum Project Wisconsin Green Party 715-472-2728 |
