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Date: 6/20/2024
Subject: Weekly Update for June 20th
From: League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County




Special Elections this Summer and Fall

The Governor has called special elections in State Senate District 4. Special elections often fly under the radar for most voters, so it’s important to plan ahead. 

Voters in State Senate District 4 mark your calendars and make your plan to vote in this important special election. The winner of this special election will complete the remaining term of State Senator Lena Taylor. Note that the two candidates in the race are both Democrats, so the winner of the July 2 primary election will be on the November ballot unopposed.
Key Dates:

  • Special Primary - July 2 (Early voting begins June 18)

  • Special Election - July 30 (Early voting begins July 16)

The candidate guide for this race is on VOTE411.org.  FIND YOUR DISTRICT


Rally to Restore Reproductive Rights 

Help us fight for women!

In the spirit of using Reproductive Rights as a means to Get Out The Vote, the LWVMC Reproductive Rights Committee invites you to join like-minded people across the United States to advocate for women and our reproductive rights at a nonpartisan Women’s Rights Day of Action.

On Monday, June 24, fight the overturning of Roe v Wade by writing postcards to voters and elected officials, creating protest signs, and making your voice heard at a rally. 

Help us show our elected officials that they need to hear us.

Women

Postcard writing and sign making

Monday, June 24, 2:00 to 4:00, at the Little Village Play Cafe, 2299 N 65th St, Milwaukee

Rally

Monday, June 24, 4:00 to 6:00, at Wauwatosa City Hall, 7725 W North Avenue, on the lawn at the southwest corner of the intersection of 76th Street and North Avenue


Webinar on Constitutional Amendments and Fair Maps

 June 25 at 12:00 – 12:45 pm via Zoom Register HERE.


Year in Review: Democracy Litigation

in SCOTUS & the States

Election Matters

Thursday, July 11, 3-4:15 pm

Wisconsin Idea Room, UW School of Education, Madison

Register here for virtual or in-person attendance.

Join the UW-Madison Elections Research Center and the State Democracy Research Initiative for a panel discussion on significant elections-related court decisions at both the state and federal levels, with a catered reception to follow. Panelists will include Derek Muller (Notre Dame Law School), Rylee Sommers-Flanagan (Upper Seven Law), Pam Karlan (Stanford Law Supreme Court Litigation Clinic), and Gowri Ramachandran (Brennan Center for Justice Democracy Program).


Vote NO: August 13 Federal Funds Constitutional Amendment Questions

Overview

Wisconsin voters will be asked two questions to amend (change) the constitution on their August ballot. These potential changes will impact both the process for distributing federal money, and who has the power to make those decisions.  These large sweeping changes will impact a wide range of issues voters care about, from education to the environment to how quickly the government can respond to emergencies (like a public health crisis or a natural disaster).  

The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin knows that if these amendments are passed they will be harmful to the people of our state. We urge voters to VOTE NO on both questions.

Voters must be prepared to answer these questions in the August 13, 2024 election.

The questions on voters’ ballots  ⬇️

❌Question 1: Delegation of appropriation power. Shall section 35 (1) of article IV of the constitution be created to provide that the legislature may not delegate its sole power to determine how moneys shall be appropriated?”

Read more about what this question means ➡️ Ballotpedia Question 1

❌Question 2: “Allocation of federal moneysShall section 35 (2) of article IV of the constitution be created to prohibit the governor from allocating any federal moneys the governor accepts on behalf of the state without the approval of the legislature by joint resolution or as provided by legislative rule?”

Read more about what this question means ➡️ Ballotpedia Question 2

What does a “Yes” or a “No” vote mean?

➕A "yes" vote supports amending the state constitution to require legislative approval from both the senate and assembly before the governor can expend federal money appropriated to the state.

➕A "no" vote opposes this amendment, thereby allowing the governor to accept and allocate federal funds without seeking an approval vote from the state legislature.

Stance: The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin opposes these constitutional amendment questions and urges voters to VOTE NO on both questions.

And here’s a toolkit with more information about the amendments, social media posts and other deep dive information about these issues.

NO to Amendments Toolkit


Want to get more involved? Contact these committees


FUND DEVELOPMENT - MONEY MATTERS

LWVMC 2024 Spring Appeal

A donation to LWVMC now, during the Spring Membership Appeal, helps carry out our voter services and advocacy work to empower voters and defend democracy. There is a lot of work to be done during the next five to six months! 
Why do we need financial donations from members when we pay dues? Because individual membership is currently $75, with only $13 staying here at LWVMC. LWV US claims $32 and LWV Wisconsin gets $30.

Your $13 does not pay for our budgeted operating and program expenses.  

Our goal is to raise $10,000 from the Spring Appeal. With three weeks left, the good news is that we are almost 60% of the way there. Please give what you can in line with your personal budget and the value you place on the important grassroots work of League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County. 

You can donate by check made payable to League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County and mailed to the league office at 6737 West Washington Avenue, Suite 2218, West Allis, WI 53214. Or you can donate by credit card HERE.  

Another way to give is to donate all or part of your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your IRA. Talk with your financial advisor about the tax benefits of making a Qualified Charitable Distribution gift from your IRA to the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County. Have the check made out to the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County. Our EIN number is  39-6096750 THANK YOU!! 
P.S. If you’ve misplaced the Spring Appeal letter from Nancy Maloney, LWVMC President, please find an electronic version HERE.



June 28th, 10:00 a.m. 

Milwaukee Public Library East Branch Community Room

2320 N Cramer St, Milwaukee

At our May meeting we chose our books for June and August. In June we will discuss: These Are the Plunderers: How Private Equity Runs―and Wrecks―America  by Gretchen Morgenson and Joshua Rosner. For a synopsis of it, as well as info on our August selection,  CLICK HERE.

We encourage everyone to come to the League Cafe. Remember, it is not necessary to finish the book (or read it at all!) to come to a meeting of the League Cafe.

Please contact any one of us should you have questions. Thank you!

Marie Garnhart: smgarnhart@gmail.com

Pat McFarland: p.mcfarland@lwvmilwaukee.org

Mary Ellen Spicuzza: me.spicuzza@lwvmilwaukee.org

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, June 27  |  5:30 pm- 7:00 pm  St. Mark AME Church, 1616 W. Atkinson

Questions regarding this announcement? Please email e.aelion@lwvmilwaukee.org

Register here: My Vote Training Sign Up

Latest Marquette University Law School Poll

Wednesday, June 26, 12:15 p.m. 

Marquette University Law School

Eckstein Hall, 1215 W. Michigan, Milwaukee

Virtual or in-person/Register HERE.

Marquette University Law School is pleased to bring you the results of a new statewide poll on Wednesday, June 26, in an in-person event featuring Charles Franklin, professor of law and public policy and director of the Marquette Law School Poll, and Derek Mosley, director of the Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education. The Marquette Law School Poll’s June 2024 survey of Wisconsin includes reaction to the jury’s guilty verdict against Donald Trump in a New York state criminal case as well as the sentiments on the general election for president and U.S. Senate. This program is free and open to the public. A light lunch will be available. The program will also be livestreamed on the Law School’s website via the “Watch Now” button.


Zeidler Group Community Conversation: Exploring Our Election Beliefs and Expectations

Thursday, June 27th, 6:00-7:30 PM Central

Online via Virtual Zoom Meeting  Please click here to register.

Join the Zeidler Group for a nonpartisan discussion designed to gain insights about political engagement. This virtual gathering will provide a space for reflection and sharing in anticipation of the estimated 50,000 visitors and untold attention the RNC Convention will bring to the Milwaukee area.

Dairyland Decides: The Pivotal Battleground of American Politics

Join this enlightening discussion and luncheon during the Republican National Convention, featuring an all-star team of political commentators. Delve into the dynamic political landscapes of Wisconsin and across the United States as our experts dissect current trends, predict upcoming shifts, and analyze the impact of recent policy decisions on future elections. This session promises to offer a deep dive into the critical races and key battleground states that could determine the balance of power. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain unique perspectives and valuable insights into the evolving American political scene. More information and registration here.
 




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.

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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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League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County

6737 W Washington St., Ste. 2218

West Allis , WI 53214
EIN 39-6096750