Happy Thursday,
Here's this week's Update for League of Women Voters Milwaukee County (LWVMC) news, information and events. | | If you haven’t renewed your membership for the July 2022 - June 2023 fiscal year, please do so now. The political news headlines can be summed up: Our democracy needs the League of Women Voters! Help empower voters and defend democracy. |
Rapid Response to Upcoming SCOTUS Decision on Reproductive Rights
5 p.m. on Decision Day
The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to decide the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case before the end of June. “If the draft opinion is finalized as leaked, it will be an unprecedented blow to women and will put the reproductive health of millions in danger,” said LWV president Dr. Deborah Turner and CEO Virginia Kase Solomón in a joint statement. Reproductive rights advocates nationwide are planning rapid response rallies to take place nationwide at 5 p.m. local time on the day the decision is released.
|  | | Join us for an in person Orientation to the LWVMC on Sunday, July 10, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. at Summit Place, 6737 W Washington St, West Allis.
Meet other members, learn about local, State and National League activities and structures, as well opportunities to get involved. We begin with social time to meet one another, followed by an interactive program at 2:15 p.m. Please know that you are invited whether you have been a member for a short time or a long time. |
Election Matters: Redistricting and the Voting Rights Act
Webinar, June 30 at Noon
In Wisconsin and around the country, the post-2020 redistricting cycle has been contentious. Disputes about the Voting Rights Act and about partisan gerrymandering have loomed especially large. Join the Elections Research Center at UW-Madison and the State Democracy Research Initiative for another virtual installment of Election Matters 2022. This webinar will explore hot topics in redistricting law, with emphasis on the Voting Rights Act, and consider the proper role of courts and other federal and state institutions in the redistricting process. Panelists will include Michael Li (Brennan Center for Justice), Aseem Mulji (Campaign Legal Center), Erin Murphy (Kirkland & Ellis), and Professor Franita Tolson (USC Gould School of Law).
Register here: https://uwmadison.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qTsJtWi2TSeeLih0dZ1RxQ
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Seeking Coffee Sale Coordinator
If you have good organizational, communication, promotion and people skills, enjoy wearing multiple hats, are flexible and like a challenge, you will enjoy and excel in this role. The Coffee Sales Coordinator helps the League raise much-needed revenues to support its basic operational expenses. The Coordinator recruits volunteers for sales and for packing and delivery; writes and schedules messaging on the website and in weekly Updates, email blasts and social media; organizes and places coffee and printing orders; and organizes coffee for packing and delivery, among a variety of other responsibilities.
Planning and recruiting begins in July, the sale ends in late October, and packing and delivery takes place in late November. During July-October, about 4-6 hours per month would be required. In November, 20-25 hours would be required. Interested? Please contact Mary Sussman at m.sussman@lwvmilwaukee.org for further details. |  | |
Are you ready?
Fall 2022 Primary Election is August 9
VOTE411.org is the League of Women Voters’ tool for unbiased candidate information. Locally, candidates for the Clerk of Circuit Court and the County Sheriff in Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties and the City of Milwaukee Alderpersons in Districts 2 and 3 have been invited to answer questions about their positions on issues of importance to their elective offices.
In early July, their responses to questions will join responses from candidates for national and state candidates appearing on the August 9 primary ballot in the League’s VOTE411.org online Voter Guide.
In the lead up to the primary election, let’s take time to break down the key roles and responsibilities for some of the offices voters will see on the ballot. This week, we’re focusing on the Clerk of Circuit Court.
What does the Clerk of Circuit Court do?
- The Clerk of Circuit Court is the custodian of the records
- The Clerk keeps a record of court proceedings and collects fees, fines and forfeitures ordered by the court.
- The Clerk is responsible for jury management
- Fees, fines, and forfeitures are paid through the Clerk’s office
- The Clerk has administrative responsibility for the Circuit Court
- The Clerk works with law enforcement, the legal community, local, state and federal agencies, businesses and the general public
- They are the administrative link between the judiciary and the county board and the public
- The Clerk does budgeting, develops policies and procedures and recruits and maintains competent staff
|  | | Get ready to help people register to vote! Learn how to register people to vote using MyVote.wi.gov. Learn how to acquire and what is acceptable photo ID for voting in Wisconsin.
Registration required.
Tuesday, August 2
5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m
Wauwatosa Public Library
7235 W. North Avenue - Firefly Room
Tuesday, September 6
5p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
MPL Mitchell Street Branch
906 W. Historic Mitchell St
| The League of Women Voters Yard Signs Available!
There are two signs to choose from:
- Vote From Home
- VOTE/VOTAVote!
Yard signs ( 18"x24") are available on a first come first served basis. Limited quantities available. | | | |
The Milwaukee Election Commission Is recruiting people to fill key positions for the Fall Primary and Fall Elections.
Election Inspector (August 9 and November 8)
Early Voting Worker (October 25 – November 6)
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To ask questions or request an application contact Kimberly Zapata at kdzapat@milwaukee.gov (no phone calls, please).
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Pay: $15.76/hr for city residents; $15.30 for non-residents
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League Cafe will meet on Friday, July 29 at 10 a.m. in the central courtyard at Villa Terrace, 2220 N. Terrace Avenue, to continue discussion of The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones. Please join the group for a discussion chapters 9-12.
The Villa Terrace courtyard is open to the public, free of charge. You can access Terrace Avenue at the very eastern end of North Avenue (just east of the water tower). There is ample free parking on Terrace Ave. (ook for the 3 hour spots, not the1 hour spots) as well as on the cross streets. Bring your own chair and coffee.
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Visit ¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States at the Smithsonian
“Presente! A Latino History of the United States” tells U.S. history from the perspectives of the diverse Latinas and Latinos who lived it and live it today. This exhibition uncovers hidden and forgotten stories, connects visitors to Latino culture, and lays the foundation for understanding how Latinas and Latinos inform and shape U.S. history and culture. Learn more about the exhibit in an NPR segment or take a virtual tour here. |
United Nation’s International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is June 26
Blue Bird, in Ukraine, conducts art therapy sessions. Left: The ‘floss of unity,’ made by children of survivors as a symbol of togetherness. Right: Into this pot, participants can place symbols of qualities that they want to see in themselves. Photo: UN/Sergii Kharenko
Torture is a crime against humanity that seeks to annihilate the victim’s personality and denies the inherent dignity of the human being. Despite the absolute prohibition of torture under international law, torture persists in all regions of the world. Concerns about protecting national security and borders are increasingly used to allow torture and other forms of cruel, degrading and inhuman treatment. Its pervasive consequences often go beyond the isolated act on an individual; and can be transmitted through generations and lead to cycles of violence.
The United Nations has condemned torture from the outset as one of the vilest acts perpetrated by human beings on their fellow human beings. Learn more about what the United Nations is doing to condemn torture and how you can support victims of torture in their rehabilitation. | |