Happy Thursday! Here is your Weekly Update from the League of Women Voters Milwaukee County (LWVMC). Something for everyone! | MOMENT OF LOVE
With Valentine's Day coming up, just wanted to give a huge THANK YOU and moment of gratitude to our weekly Update editors, Marsha Poulsen, Amy Germershausen, Nancy Maloney (soon to be editor), and Melissa Kelley. Without their work, we could not give you this content! Thank you for your time and efforts!
From, Administrative Support Coordinator, Sarah Pfeiffle and President, Peggy Creer |  |
“Adopt a Library” Informational Meeting
TOMORROW, Friday, Feb 3rd at 6 - 6:30 pm via Zoom
Thank you to everyone who has indicated interest in the LWVMC "Adopt a Library" program. Our first informational call will take place virtually on Zoom next Friday, February 3, 2023 from 6:00pm - 6:30pm. Please use the link below and passcode vote to join us if you are available - the call is open to all volunteers so please feel free to share the meeting information and join us. Contact Heather Lesko at h.lesko@lwvmilwaukee.org with any questions.
Call Details
Topic: LWVMC - Library Outreach "Adopt a Library" Introduction
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/97022325146?pwd=b1BPNWJtc0dNNVFPS28zRlc1bkdQdz09
Meeting ID: 970 2232 5146
Passcode: vote
| WI Supreme Court Election Resources | Wisconsin Courts Matter: Wisconsin 2023 Elections
Via Zoom: Thursday, February 9th from 6:30-7:45 pm
Join the Disability Vote Coalition on Zoom to hear from a panel of experts about why Wisconsin Courts matter. On February 21 and April 4, Wisconsin voters will decide who serves on our courts, including an open Wisconsin Supreme Court seat. The winning Supreme Court candidate will be appointed for a ten-year term. Depending on where you live, you may also vote for Court of Appeals or Circuit Court. State courts make decisions that affect our rights and liberties. They address issues like voting rights, education, mental health, access to healthcare, employment rights, guardianships, and more.
Click here to register for the Zoom event.
Justice Janine P. Geske, former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice
Monica Murphy, Civil Rights Attorney
Martha Chambers, disability rights advocate
Click here to read their bios.
| Understanding Wisconsin's Supreme Court Election
February 17, 2023 at 2:30-3:30 pm via Zoom
The State Democracy Research Initiative (SDRI) and the Elections Research Center at University of Wisconsin–Madison invite you to attend a panel on state judicial elections from 2:30-3:30 pm on Feb. 17, at the University of Wisconsin Law School or via Zoom. The February primary and April general election for the open Wisconsin Supreme Court seat have high stakes, potentially affecting the Court's decisions on a wide range of important issues. But why are Wisconsin judges and justices elected in the first place? What advantages and disadvantages are associated with judicial elections? How do judicial campaigns compare to campaigns for other state offices? Our panelists, Professor Miriam Seifter (UW Law School, SDRI faculty co-director), Professor Barry Burden (UW Political Science, Elections Research Center director) and Professor Jane Schacter (Stanford Law School), will aim to situate this election in broader context. The panel will be moderated by Professor Robert Yablon (UW Law School, SDRI faculty co-director).
| | |  |  | VOTE411.org is published!!
The 2023 Spring Primary Election Voter Guide is published! Go to VOTE411.org and enter your address to see your primary election ballot. We all will see the state-wide races and there are a few local primary races:
· City of Milwaukee Alderperson in Districts 1, 5, and 9
· City of Oak Creek Alderperson in District 1
· Elm Brook School Board at Large
VOTE411.org is a source of unbiased information about the candidates in their own words. Wouldn’t you like to see all candidates answer our questions? Do you live in one of the above areas or do you know someone who does? Can you contact anyone you know who lives in one of the areas with a primary and ask them to do the following:
1) After you have signed into VOTE411.org by entering your address, check if your candidates have answered the League’s questions.
2) If they have, reach out and thank them. You can use social media or write a letter via email or post. You can say “Thank you for responding to questions for the Vote411 online Voter Guide so voters can be informed before casting their ballots.”
3) If your candidates haven’t answered the League’s questions, contact them and ask that they do so! With Election Day mere weeks away, voters deserve unbiased information about their candidates before filling out their ballot.
This message can be simple: “I am a resident of your district and I want to hear where you stand on the issues. That’s why I’m calling on you to respond to the questions posed to you for VOTE411.org.”
Candidates who have questions about their invitation to participate can contact the Voter Guide team at voterguide@lwvmilwaukee.org.
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Primary Election February 21, 2023!
There are very important primary elections coming up which will determine who will be on the ballot for the April General Elections.
Primaries include:
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State Supreme Court Judge,
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Special Election for Senate District 8.
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City of Milwaukee Alder Districts 1, 5. 9
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Elmbrook School Board Member At-Large
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Oak Creek City Alderman District 1
Below you can link to a calendar in both English and Spanish that outlines the important dates for the February primary election and lists the candidates for each of the primary races noted above.
2023 February Primary Calendar and Contested Races
2023 Bilingual February Primary Calendar and Contested Races
We have gathered resources that you/your organization or your constituents might find useful. Of these resources the first five fliers provide information about the various levels of the Courts and the importance of the upcoming judicial elections. Click link below.
LWVMC Resources 2023 Elections
Please contact Voter Services chair Peg Schrader at p.schrader@lwvmilwaukee.org if you have any questions or requests for printed materials. |
If you have this sign, now’s the time to show it! | | | | Prepare yourself to help people register to vote! Learn how to register people to vote using MyVote.wi.gov. Learn what is acceptable photo ID for voting in Wisconsin and how to acquire it.
Registration required.
Thursday March 9th | 6pm-7:30pm
Escuela Verde's Newline Community Cafe
3618 W Pierce St, Milwaukee, WI 53215
Questions regarding this announcement? Please email e.aelion@lwvmilwaukee.org.
Register here: My Vote Training Sign Up |
Dis- Misinformation Monitors Needed | Time to Gear Up Again for Voter Registration at the DMV!
The DMV Mill Road was a strong site for us for voter registrations last fall with 54 in six weeks. The days and times are Monday, Wednesday or Friday from 11:00-1:30pm. If you haven’t been at this location before you’ll have the support you need to be comfortable…and successful. This is a great opportunity to talk with potential voters, inform people about the importance of the positions on the Spring ballot and, of course, register them to vote! Questions? Email Ellen Trytek at e.trytek@lwvmilwaukee.org.
| Important State Constitution Proposed Amendments on Ballot
(Recording and Resources) |
State Constitution: Are Changes Necessary?
View the Panel Discussion
Four proposed amendments to the WI Constitution, which are opposed by the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, are likely to be on the ballot this spring. Our panelists discuss the implication of changes to how bail is granted, voter eligibility, election administration, and the authority of the governor. With Dustin Brown, Senior Staff Attorney, State Democracy Research Initiative at University of Wisconsin Law School; Jerome Dillard, Executive Director, Co-Founder of EXPO; and Jeff Mandell, Founder, President, Lead Counsel at Law Forward. Sponsored by The League of Women Voters of Dane County and the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin.
Watch here | Resources here |  |  | Milwaukee County’s
You are invited to participate in the development of Milwaukee County’s Climate Action 2050 Plan (CA50). The plan will describe how County government will achieve net zero carbon emissions in its operations while advancing equity, justice, & community resilience.
To take this survey in Spanish (Español), please CLICK HERE
To take this survey in Hmong, please CLICK HERE
The goal of this survey is to learn more about your experiences with and concerns about climate change. This will inform Milwaukee County’s development of an equitable and effective climate action plan that reflects community needs and priorities. Participation in this survey is voluntary, and your responses will be kept anonymous. | League Cafe Will Meet on Friday, February 24 |  |
Feb 24 from 9:30-11 am
On February 24, League Cafe will meet for general discussion from 9:30-11:00. League Cafe is a wonderful way to meet fellow League members and to find out more about League activities in general, as well as the book club. At this meeting, we will be nominating books for our May and July book discussions. The video link for February 24 is here. Or dial: (US) +1 508-970-9069 PIN: 657 465 389#. For further information contact Mary Sussman at m.sussman@lwvmilwaukee.org.
On March 24, the book selection for discussion will be The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times by Michelle Obama. The book is widely available in the Milwaukee Public Library System. It is also available with a 10% discount at Boswell Book Company. Just mention League Cafe. “Miraculously, these self-help bromides don’t come across as cloying, mainly because Obama is so disarmingly honest about her fears, failures and all-too-human flaws. . . . You can’t argue with the hard-fought wisdom of such an accomplished woman.”—The Guardian | LWVMC SEEKS FACILITATORS FOR LEAGUE CAFÉ | |
If you enjoy reading and discussing good books, consider volunteering to be a facilitator for the League Café. In a small-group setting, League Café participants get to know each other better, share knowledge and have interesting conversations.
In rotating months, League Café meets as a general discussion group, and in opposite months, convenes as a book club to discuss noteworthy books on racial equity, immigration and/or voting. Books are generally nominated by members, who then vote on selections for the next book club or two. League Café members tend to be enthusiastic and active participants but some people come just to listen. Please apply if you love to read, enjoy good conversation, have good organizational and communication skills, are comfortable with Zoom, and/or have any experience facilitating discussions. Interested? Contact Mary Sussman at m.sussman@lwvmc.org. Will train as needed.
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Big Brothers Big Sisters Seeks Mentors
Monday, February 6, 12-2 pm
Villard Square Library - 5190 N. 35th St.
Big Brothers Big Sisters is a nonprofit organization that creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships for youth in Milwaukee and Waukesha County. Big Brothers Big Sisters is hoping to recruit more Defenders of Potential in their community and school based programs. Stop by their information table to learn more about how to become a mentor. | Check out the Black Lens Offerings at Milwaukee Film Festival during Black History Month
Film screenings include titles such as FIRE MUSIC, a feature-length documentary highlighting the brilliant architects behind the free jazz movement; LOUDMOUTH, an unprecedented look into the life and work of longtime civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton; and 80s cult classic THE LAST DRAGON, the martial arts comedy film produced by Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records. Read the program guide here. | Support Democracy. Support your League.
Your support is critical to help our nonpartisan grassroots organization reach voters play a critical role in democracy. It would not be possible to empower voters and defend democracy without your support. Thank you.
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