Petition writers and voters can follow procedures within WI Legislation to pass local laws without being members of government.  The process referred to as Direct Legislation coincides with “Home Rule” involved in WI municipalities such as cities, villages and counties.  Within municipalities, citizens willing to write and sign petitions and vote to support petitions in a referendum are legislatively empowered to modify local ordinances described in municipal home rule.

Wis Stat § 66.01 (8) Home rule; manner of exercise. Every charter, charter amendment or charter ordinance enacted or approved by a vote of the electors shall control and prevail over any prior or subsequent act of the legislative body of the city or village.

If local public servants do not respond to public requests for modification or exclusion of a local ordinance, resident electorates can respond by initiating procedures provided by Wis Stat § 9.20 Direct legislation, as it provides a possible avenue for relief.  

State Law is Outside Home Rule, Yet can be Influenced by Citizens
Direct legislation does not apply to modifying State law.  Vote for state legislators, directly contacting lawmakers, testifying at committee hearings, and participating in advisory study committees. 

Yet statewide and local referenda are required in numerous circumstances, and the state legislature or local governing bodies may, at their discretion, submit questions to the voters in the form of binding or advisory referenda.