MADISON, Wis. -- Political observers said that two potential state referendums are designed to draw Republican voters to the polls -- a move that would help oust Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle this fall.

One referendum on November's ballot involves a constitutional amendment barring the state from recognizing same-sex marriages. Another likely one would allow the death penalty for certain murder convictions.

University of Wisconsin-Madison journalism professor Dhavan Shah said that the referendums would favor Republican candidates, but he said that concerns over issues such as the Iraq war and high gas prices could make people less eager to vote Republican.

Larry Anderson, who teaches political science at UW-Whitewater, said that the move could backfire. He said that issues that attract one group of impassioned voters also attract people equally impassioned about the opposite viewpoint.