Happy Thursday! Here is your Weekly Update from the League of Women Voters Milwaukee County (LWVMC). Something for everyone!

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

Your Civic Superpower:

Why Citizen Engagement Matters

As part of our participation in the International Women’s Day (March 8) celebration and events honoring Women’s History Month, LWVMC is presenting a free public virtual presentation on civic engagement. Voting is critically important -- but so is civic engagement between elections. If you're passionate about a public policy issue, here's a quick overview of how to advocate effectively to make your voice heard.

Wednesday, March 15, zoom

Presentation: 7:00 - 7:30 p.m. followed by Q&A

Presenters:

Peggy Creer, president of the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County

Barbara Notestein, a former WI state lawmaker, having served in the Wisconsin State Assembly for 14 years. She has been Executive Director of Safe and Sound, and earlier the ED of the Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee.

REGISTER HERE

New Edition of LWV Impact on Issues Announced

The LWVUS 2022-2024 edition of Impact on Issues, the League’s cornerstone policy positions document, is now available online.

Milwaukee Public School Passes Resolution on Student Voter Education & Registration

The MPS School Board has passed a resolution, saying in part: 

“WHEREAS, The Board believes that all students should be registered to vote before they graduate from school and be equipped to make informed decisions about voting; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED, That the Administration, in accordance with state law and the Wisconsin Standard for Social Studies, develop a specific plan and timeline to increase voter registration and actual voting by eligible high school students ….”

The League, continuing its partnership with MPS, is collaborating on a plan to incorporate voter registration in the curriculum and calendar of all MPS high schools. 

Many volunteers needed for high school events!

MPS has asked the League to work with them to conduct voter registration events at each of their 24 high schools during the open enrollment period, February 22 to March 15, for the April election. LWVMC members who would like to participate in the high school events should access the training materials at the link below. If you sign up on the Google form at the end of the training, your name will be placed on the high school volunteer list. New volunteers will be paired with experienced volunteers.

Click this link if you are interested

If you have any questions about this please contact p.schrader@lwvmilwaukee.org.

 VOTE411.org will be back online March 14. 

This Spring 2023 Voter Guide will be your resource for the election on April 4.  There is a special election in May for a vacancy in the 14th County Supervisor District.  If a primary is needed, it will be on April 4.  

Candidates on the April election ballot have been invited again to participate in the Spring 2023 Voter Guide at Vote411.org if they hadn’t already responded.  They have until March 12 to respond.   

As a constituent, contact the candidates in your municipality and school district.  Thank them if they have responded to the invitation from the League to participate in the Voter Guide.  If they haven’t, encourage them to answer the League’s questions to participate in the Spring Voter Guide!  We know that constituents contacting their candidates and asking them to participate in the Vote411.org Voter Guide  works!!!

Voters want to know candidate qualifications and positions on issues important to the office they are seeking.  We have heard some eligible voters say they don’t vote because they don’t know the candidate's positions on issues. 

Combat Dis- and Mis-information & Promote Accurate Election Information

UPDATE on the City of Milwaukee Climate and Economic Equity Plan.

The Milwaukee County League has again expressed support for the City-County Climate and Economic Equity Plan, most recently at the City of Milwaukee’s February 22nd virtual webinar sponsored by the City’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Task Force.  The ARPA Task Force has received comments from community members about where those dollars, specifically $92.7m, should be allocated and spent by the 2026 deadline. 

Our statement supported an appropriation to the City’s Environmental Collaboration (ECO)  Office since is it poised to work with other City departments and community stakeholders. We asserted the ECO Office deserves an “allocation of ARPA funds commensurate with the challenge of meeting the Plan’s climate and equity goals so that all in our community thrive.”  The two overarching goals of the Plan are:

• Reduce community-wide net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 45% by the year 2030 and achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 or sooner.

• Reduce racial and income inequality by assuring that greenhouse gas reduction investments and policies will create the maximum number of permanent living wage green jobs for people who live in the most impoverished Milwaukee neighborhoods with limited economic opportunity.

Art Against the Odds: MIAD exhibition showcases the work of Wisconsin's incarcerated people

Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design

273 E. Erie Street, Milwaukee

Through March 11, 2023

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

FREE Admission

    Stand Up and Be Counted