| On Thursday August 22 all of our voter services volunteers were invited to a gathering at Hoyt Park Beer garden for a light supper of sandwiches and salads, an opportunity to spend time with many fellow volunteers and to hear about what they have accomplished so far this year. (Nobody remembered to take pictures, so you'll have to imagine the 50+ smiling people who attended!) Each volunteer was given a t-shirt which symbolized our mission statement - Empowering Voters, Defending Democracy.
Three people did the majority of the work for this event: Judy Winn, Sue Schneidler, and Donna Spars. We thank them for such a great time.
Peg Schrader was asked to make a few remarks and she said this:
“Every day, the freedom to vote is under attack. Since the Supreme Court decision of Shelby County v. Holder that gutted the Voting Rights Act (VRA), at least twenty-nine states have passed ninety-four laws that make it harder to vote, with the burden falling hardest on Black voters and other voters of color.
Voting is a fundamental right, and all Americans deserve an equal opportunity to make their voices heard in our democracy. Increased accessibility to the electoral process ensures that every eligible voter can exercise their right to vote.
The League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County is unwavering in its commitment to advocating for voting rights. Year after year, we work tirelessly to inform and register disenfranchised voters. We firmly believe that empowering eligible voters to cast their ballot is the cornerstone of a strong democracy, and we are steadfast in our mission.
In the first seven months of 2024, the League had 177 events, registered 1,992 voters, requested 318 absentee ballots, and educated 7,848 people. Our volunteers filled 900 individual volunteer slots for 2,650 volunteer hours. These results testify to the impact we can make when we come together for a common cause. The League has been doing this work for over 50 years in the Milwaukee Community.”
The discussion continued with questions regarding the nine teams that we have operating in the community. Peg Schrader expressed her gratitude for all the volunteers that made these results possible. |