Rock County voters overwhelmingly rejected state referendum questions. Walworth County results were split

JANESVILLE — When area voters went to the polls Tuesday, they were asked to vote on two referendum questions placed on ballots by state Republicans.

The Associated Press called the referendum results late Tuesday, with each question rejected by a statewide 58% to 42% margin.

The questions would have limited the power of the governor to spend federal money. Question 1 asked voters to prohibit the state Legislature from delegating the power to allocate federal funds. Question 2 asked voters to prohibit the governor from spending federal money without the approval of legislators.

State Democrats had criticized the referendum questions, calling them a “power grab” by Republicans. Republicans called the question a needed delegation of authority.

Rock County results

Rock County voters overwhelmingly voted “no” on both referendum questions. About 64%, or 18,497 votes, were against Question 1. About 35.5%, or 10,079 votes, were in favor.

Question 2 saw similar results in Rock County. About 65% of votes were “no” and about 35% were “yes.” The vote tally was 18,734 “no” and 10,011 “yes.”

Walworth County results

In Walworth County, both questions yielded closer results, but were flip-flopped from Rock County.

Walworth County voters were in favor of both amendments. About 52% voted in favor of Question 1 totaling 11,139 votes. About 48%, or 10,103 votes, were cast in opposition.

For Question 2 in Walworth County, “yes” votes prevailed over “no.” There were 11,211 “yes” votes cast or just under 53%. There were 10,079 “no” votes, or 47.3%.

Local breakdown for Question 1

In the city of Janesville, voters rejected Question 1 by a 66% to 34% margin, or 7,897 “no” to 3,988 “yes” votes.

In the city of Milton, voters said “no” to Question 1 by a 65% to 35% margin, or 834 to 444 votes.

In the city of Whitewater which lies partly in both Walworth and Jefferson counties, voters said “no” to Question 1 by 69% to 31% margin, or 1,197 to 542 votes.

In the city of Delavan, voters said “no” 54% to 46%, or 644 to 558 votes.

The city of Elkhorn saw an almost 50-50 split with 907 “yes” and 905 “no” votes.

Local breakdown for Question 2

City of Janesville voters said “no” to Question 2 on a 68% to 32% margin, or 7,989 to 3,756 votes.

In the city of Milton, voters rejected Question 2 by a 67% to 33% margin, or 853 to 429 votes.

In the city of Whitewater, voters rejected Question 2 by a 69% to 31% margin, or 1,201 to 548 votes.

Voters in the city of Delavan said “no” to Question 2 by a 54% to 47% margin, or 646 to 559 votes.

And in an almost 50-50 split, Elkhorn’s vote on Question 2 was 912 “no” and 902 “yes” votes.