JOIN US FOR OUR ANNUAL MEETING!
Thursday, May 23, 2024
5:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Dinner and Business Meeting
Alioto's
3401 N Mayfair Rd, Wauwatosa, WI
Learn more and register by clicking the link below.
|  | | Disability Rights Wisconsin and the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, represented by Stafford Rosenbaum LLP and Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, filed suit in Dane County Circuit Court, seeking to address an absentee voting procedure that unlawfully discriminates against voters with disabilities. The lawsuit seeks an order enjoining certain Wisconsin statutes that block voters with disabilities from receiving, marking, and returning their absentee ballot electronically.
Wisconsin’s Constitution provides that: “All votes shall be by secret ballot.” Wis. Const., art. III, § 3. But many voters with disabilities cannot reliably travel to a polling place and cannot personally fill out a paper absentee ballot, meaning they are routinely forced to disclose the substance of their vote to third-parties when marking their ballots.
The cure to this constitutional violation is readily available: voters with disabilities often have adaptive technology that they use every day that can be used to mark an absentee ballot in a manner that is both private and independent. Thirteen states have also expanded their electronic absentee ballot programs to allow voters with disabilities to return their voted absentee ballots by email or through an online portal. | Make a Donation in Honor of Your Mother
Mother’s Day is coming up on Sunday, May 12. How are you honoring or remembering your mother and other special women in your life?
The best way of course is to be with them in person to celebrate this special day. Whether that is possible or not, rather than scramble to find something for a gift, consider a donation to the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County.
You can donate here
Click on Honorary Donation. |
Super Successful Voter Registration Event at Oconomowoc High School | | | The National Honor Society team at Oconomowoc High School requested support for a voter registration event at their high school. Training on how to organize an event was provided on April 11th. They selected April 23rd (full day) for their event. The students signed up for specific assignments and worked with their advisor, Cassandra Brooks, to prepare for the event.
On the selected day, Leigh Ann Tidey, Leader of the High School Voter Registration Team brought all of the materials along with League voter registration volunteers. The students arrived on time, helped set up, and took their positions (Sign-in, Registration Assistance, Congratulations station, Rovers, Spin the Wheel, and Selfie Corner).
Students who wished to register came to the event depending on their class schedule. When the traffic was slow, the Rovers went to the classrooms and brought more students to the event.
The advisor was present for the whole event and helped with proof of residence (POR) for students who did not have a Driver's License or Identification cards. We provided our do it yourself colored cards (step by step instructions on how to register on MyVote depending on age and available POR). Students used the cards to register and print out applications where needed, using their own phones or tablets. This school had a very high percentage of students with a Driver License and they all seemed to have it with them when they came to the library which helped enormously. (Good publicity!)
According to our records, 120 students registered to vote. This is the largest number of students who have registered at one of our events in the last 10 years!
Congratulations to to the students who organized and ran the event, thank you to the student advisor, Cassandra Brooks, who initiated this event and who was there the entire day to help and advise the students, thank you to the team of volunteers who provided support to the students and thank you to the leadership and training provided by Leigh Ann Tidey. |  |  | | It all starts with the Community Volunteers -
THANK YOU!
The publication of every online Voter Guide at VOTE411.org by the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County starts with the connections made by the VOTE411 Community Volunteers who are the liaisons between the municipal clerks/school boards and the VOTE411 Team. Community Volunteers work with the municipal clerks/school boards to find out which positions are up for election, who are the candidates running for those positions, and their contact information. This is the basis for inviting the candidates to answer questions about issues of interest to their constituents.
Thank you for your work, which is the critical starting point for the Voter Guide. An earlier incomplete list of Community Volunteers is updated here. The VOTE411 online voter guide doesn’t happen without you!!
Milwaukee County: Theresa Bellone, Joyce Demant, Nancy Florsheim, Pat Jursik, Sarajane Kennedy, Heather Lesko, Mary Jo McDonald, Tom Neubauer, Diana Otterbacher, Deborah Patel, Piper Plummer Mehigan, Margaret Serrano, Eilene Stevens, Jane Stoltz, Mary Sussman, Mary Jo Wellenstein, Mary Walz-Chojnacki, and Jennifer Williams.
Waukesha County: Brenda Allen, Janet Brown, Pam Chester, Mollie Conrad, Charlene Gaebler-Uhing, Joann Kreimendahl, Mary Sue Kristiansen, Nora Ladwig, Melissa Laughlin, Raven Nilew, Kellie Sanders, Suzanne Schalig, and Ellen Trytek.
|  | | Learn how to have a conversation, not a debate, when supporting reproductive healthcare and rights – OR ANY contentious subject. Attend our Milwaukee event (now open to the public!) led by Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin. This 2-hour, evidence-based workshop will give you confidence and skills to have difficult conversations with relatives, friends and neighbors. Skills learned are transferable to many subjects!
THERE'S STILL TIME TO Register for the
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Back in March, the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin held Part 1 of its series on contamination by PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in Wisconsin. That webinar engaged speakers to explain where these ubiquitous contaminants come from, what it can do inside the human body, and the personal protections we can all take to limit our exposures.
Now in Part 2, What To Do About PFAS, on May 9th at 6:30 pm, we will address the bigger picture of what we can do about PFAS. Topics will include:
- Lived experiences with PFAS contamination of soil and water
- Limitations and costs of current remediation options
- Innovative remediation methods under investigation
- Political controversies and legislative proposals
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| CLICK ON THE FLYER ABOVE IF YOU'D LIKE TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT IT OUT.
| Election Observer Updates
This week the Wisconsin Elections Commission held a public hearing for comments about their draft administrative rule on election observation. As one of the organizations with the largest nonpartisan election observer programs, the League has a vested interest in the administrative rule governing the roles and responsibilities of both election observers and officials. The League has closely monitored this administrative rule-making process. The League provided public comments in support of the rule, which establishes clear and consistent guidelines for election officials and observers.
It strikes a necessary balance between transparency for observers and the ability of election officials to carry out their duties effectively.
“Most importantly, it prioritizes voters’ rights to vote without intimidation or interference,” said Eileen Newcomer with the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin. “Adopting this rule is a crucial step in insuring a smooth and intimidation-free voting experience for Wisconsinites.”
|  | Monday, May 31 at 10 a.m.
Community Room
2320 N Cramer St, Milwaukee
Normally we meet on the 4th Friday of the month, but we are meeting one week later to avoid the Memorial Day weekend.
This meeting will be a general discussion meeting. When we have a general discussion meeting we talk about anything and everything of interest to the group. It is also an opportunity for newer members to come and learn more about our League.
Also at this meeting we will choose our book selection for our June meeting. If you have a title in mind, please feel free to bring it up on the 31st.
Everyone is invited to attend. Come one and all! | EASY WALKS AND PADDLES
View the livestream recording of an informative and inspirational discussion about accessible walks and paddles in the Milwaukee area.
| Community Outreach Needs Volunteers for Voter Registration Events
The Community Outreach Team provides voter information and registration services at community partners' events throughout primarily Milwaukee County. Our partners are social service agencies, advocacy organizations, churches, etc. mainly in the underrepresented Black and Asian-American communities.
Based on our experience in 2022, I would anticipate that we will receive many requests for assistance with exponential growth as the year progresses. If you are interested in providing this invaluable service to our community, please complete the form below indicating your availability.
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Learn how to help people register to vote!
May 18, Saturday | 9:30-11:00 am
League Offices, Summit Place, Conference Rm-2135
6737 W. Washington St.
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.
Questions regarding this announcement? Please email e.aelion@lwvmilwaukee.org
Register here: My Vote Training Sign Up | | Americans on opposite sides of the political spectrum don’t only disagree on issues — they increasingly dislike one another. This growing partisan animosity is the crisis of our time and threatens our nation. Braver Angels exists to address this challenge. | | | Braver Angels Inaugural Meeting – Milwaukee & SE Wisconsin Alliance
6:30 pm, Wednesday May 8
Three Lions Pub - Kensington Room
4515 North Oakland Avenue, Shorewood
Free and open to the public
Register here
Braver Angels just launched a Milwaukee & Southeastern Wisconsin alliance and needs your voice and input to steer its alliance toward the issues most important to you. Learn about opportunities for getting involved, followed by a listening session to help guide the priorities of the Milwaukee Braver Angels alliance. Braver Angels wants to hear all perspectives across the political spectrum. Share your thoughts on:
1. What are the political issues most pressing for your/our community?
2. What type of events would you like to see the Milwaukee BA Alliance host? and
3. What concerns you most about the upcoming election season? | POW-litical Comics
MOWA’s DTN Gallery at St. Kate Arts Hotel
139 E. Kilbourn Ave., Milwaukee
Now through July 22
Free and Open to the Public
The Museum of Wisconsin Art presents a timely exhibition of political cartoons that reflect the 2024 presidential election and the contemporary moment in US politics. | Accessing Members-Only Website Portal
The LWVMC website has information and resources that are available only to LWVMC members. To access the membership directory or members-only resources and volunteer opportunities, click on the button below. Contact Mary Ellen Spicuzza at me.spicuzza@lwvmilwaukee.org with any questions. | Support Local 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! LWVMC
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