Please join us as the LWV celebrates our birthday 🎁
Saturday, February 15, 2025 from 10:30 a.m to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Summit Place @ 6737 W Washington, West Allis
We're going to build on civic engagement and “where do we go from here?” in the spirit of "don't agonize...organize!"
|  | | Spring Primary Online Voter Guide Is Published
The February 18 primary is just around the corner
Go to www.Vote411.org and enter your address to get started. You will see the races that appear on your primary ballot and the candidates running for these offices. Candidates participate in our online voter guide by entering their campaign information and answering the League’s questions. All candidate responses to our questions are published verbatim from the candidates; we do not edit candidate responses.
Primary races in Milwaukee County:
- Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction.
- Aldermanic District 3 (City of Milwaukee)
- Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District.
Primary races in Waukesha County:
- Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction
- Hartland-Lakeside J3 School Board
- Referendum for Waterford Union High School District.
Call to Action:
Help us increase the use of VOTE411.org as the place for voter information. Write 5 emails to your friends, family, and/or colleagues about VOTE411. Ask them to enter their address at www.Vote411.org to see the candidates and ballot issues. They will see detailed information on the candidates including candidate answers to the League’s questions in the candidates’ own words. They can compare candidate answers side by side before making their selection |  | | Successful End-of-Year Fundraising
Thank You!!!
The results are in from the end-of-year fundraising appeal. This year the appeal suggested that donors choose whether they wanted to support the League’s endowment fund or general operating expenses. The final campaign numbers are $4,050 in operating fund donations, and $11,010 in endowment fund donations for a combined total of $15,060.
Thank you for your generosity! The total amount contributed to the League at year-end is 50% more than last year’s end-of-year appeal.
As reported in the January 30 Weekly Update, we reached the goal of $100,000, the minimum amount needed to open a Greater Milwaukee Foundation Endowment Fund.
Donations for operating support provide resources for our dedicated volunteers who educate citizens on their voting rights, provide voter registration assistance and advocate for issues such as climate change and reproductive rights.
If you missed making a gift, please donate now RIGHT HERE!
| Reproductive Rights Update - Quiet Attacks
Abortion was largely absent from the stack of dozens of executive actions in Trump’s first days of office. But he has already made quieter moves on abortion.
Enforcing the Hyde Amendment, which restricts government funding for most abortions.
He reinstated a policy that requires foreign nongovernmental agencies to certify that they don’t provide or promote abortion if they receive U.S. federal funds for family planning assistance.
He pardoned nearly two dozen anti-abortion protesters. The people Trump pardoned broke the law by trying to block people from accessing the health care they wanted and needed and is concerning for the safety of abortion providers and their patients.
And during a recent hearing on his nomination to lead the U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that President Trump had asked him to study the safety of the abortion drug mifepristone.
Mifepristone has been extensively studied and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration over 20 years ago. The Guttmacher Institute, which studies reproductive health policy, reported in 2024 that 63% of all abortions in the United States in 2023 were performed using medications.
Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire referred to Kennedy’s remark and brandishing a stack of papers, said: “Here are the safety studies that tell us mifepristone is safe and effective. … The studies are there. The safety is proved. The science is there. But what you’re telling us is if President Trump orders you to take action to make it harder for women to get direly-needed health care, you’ll follow his orders.” |  | |
Register for a Fun, Intergenerational GOTV Event
Thursday, February 27, 2025
12:00pm-2:00pm
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Student Union Ballroom
|  | The Wisconsin Constitution:
A Foundation of Rights for All Wisconsinites
The Wisconsin Constitution is a powerful document that protects the rights and freedoms of everyone in our state, including both citizens and non-citizens. It guarantees fundamental protections such as free speech, equal protection under the law, due process, access to public education, and the right to vote (for eligible citizens).
Protecting our state constitution is essential because it serves as a safeguard against abuses of power and a foundation for justice and equity. When changes to the constitution are proposed, they can have significant, long-lasting impacts on these protections. The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin is committed to ensuring the constitution continues to defend the rights of all people in our communities and will continue to speak out against harmful changes to our constitution.
Haven't reviewed our state constitution in a while? You can find the very important 19-page document that is our state constitution here. |  | League Represented at Chamber Gala
The League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County had a table at the Wauwatosa-West Allis Chamber of Commerce Annual Nonprofit Showcase and Gala held this year at the Milwaukee County Zoo. Representing the League were Nancy Maloney, Ellen Trytek, Carole Montgomery, Gail Sklodowska, Erin McCarthy, and Mary Voelker.
We shared information with the Gala attendees about the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County and its voter services and advocacy efforts. With the primary election around the corner, we highlighted VOTE411, our online voter guide | Seated, from left to right, beginning with Erin McCarthy in green sweater, Gail Sklodowska, Carole Montgomery, Nancy Maloney.
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National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Committee
The June 2024 LWVUS Convention emphasized the direct election of the President, including the abolishment of the Electoral College by a Constitutional amendment. However, until that occurs, LWV’s first goal is to attain passage of the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC).
Currently, the presidential election result turns on the votes of a handful of battleground states—Wisconsin being one of them. With the NPVIC, every vote in every state counts.
The Compact is an agreement between states to award all their electoral votes to whichever presidential candidate wins the nationwide popular vote. The Compact will go into effect when states representing at least 270 electoral votes adopt the legislation. Currently, 17 states plus the District of Columbia, have adopted the Compact, representing 209 electoral votes. Only 61 more are needed—Wisconsin would add 10 votes if it is passed here.
The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin has formed a National Popular Vote Committee and is looking for League members from around the state to join their effort to work toward passage of the Compact in Wisconsin.
If you believe in one person, one vote and want to see Wisconsin join the Compact, your help is needed on the NPVIC Committee. For more information contact Lorna Grade at l.grade@lwvmilwaukee.org.
| Defending Democracy For All From LWVWI
We stand in solidarity with our immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities. Attacks on one of us is an attack on all of us. Wisconsin is stronger when our communities and families are brought together rather than divided. We are dedicated in our fight to empower voters and defend democracy for ALL.
What Can You Do?
Review Know Your Rights Resources
Voces de la Frontera ~~~ ACLU Wisconsin
Review Resources to Support our LGBTQ+ Friends and Community Members
GSAFE ~~~ Human Rights Campaign
TRANSform the Vote ~~~ PFLAG | Call For Nominations For LWVMC 2025-27 Board and Nominating Committee
Our League has just completed an amazing year where we registered 2,388 new voters and spoke to and educated nearly 11,500 people. In addition we were active on issues centered on Reproductive Rights and the Environment and Climate Change.
Our past and current Boards of Directors have built a strong and durable League that makes a significant difference in Milwaukee County and surrounding areas. Now is the time to bring your experiences and skills to the Board to carry forward the important work of the League.
Passionate about and committed to the League’s mission - Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy? Committed to a League that values diversity, equity and inclusion to build a more equitable Milwaukee County? Experienced in leadership, fundraising or non-profit governance? We need your passion and skills! The Nominations Committee invites all LWVMC members to consider running for a leadership position. Applicants with diverse backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives are encouraged to apply.
The 2025-27 open Board positions include:
4 Officer positions: President; 1st VP Organization; 3rd VP Voter Services; Secretary.
3 at-large Directors.
All of these positions are for a two-year term beginning 7/1/2025 and ending 6/30/2027
Chair of the Nominating Committee and two additional committee members. These are non-board positions and have a one-year term of office.
The Nominating Committee is accepting Nominations now through February 28 using this very Simple form. You can nominate yourself or someone else. If you nominate someone else be sure you have their permission.
To learn more about the positions and what they entail follow this link to the job description for each position.
If you are considering any of these positions you are also encouraged to read the LWVMC nonpartisan policy If you have questions about the nominating process or various positions, don’t hesitate to email: joanne.barndt@gmail.com
|  | | Be Part of Creating an Iconic Art Installation
Members of the Milwaukee County and Ozaukee/Washington leagues visited activist artist Niki Johnson’s studio to discuss collaborative opportunities. Niki, along with other community artists, is creating a large, four-piece art installation encouraging civic engagement. The story behind this effort is fascinating, and there are plans to show this work at the LWVWI Annual Convention this June.
Niki is inviting our members to assist in creating these iconic works of art. If you can punch holes in paper, your skills are welcome. If you are experienced with an X-ACTO knife, you have advanced skills! Contact Linda Reid at lindahreid@gmail.com for more information on volunteering your time. | Follow LWVWI Actions on Legislation
A new legislative session has just begun in Wisconsin, and the LWVWI Legislative Committee has kicked into high gear using League positions to bring our voices directly to legislators.
The different legislative portfolios include: Elections/Voting Rights/Election Reform; Redistricting; Court Integrity; Taxation; Natural Resources; Children and Families; Health Care; Mental Health; Equal Rights Amendment; Reproductive Rights; Education; Housing; Corrections/Juvenile Justice; Labor Law/Civil Rights/Workforce Issues; Anti-Discrimination (LGBTQ+).
If you want to follow the League's lobbying efforts this session, sign up for legislative action emails here, or contact asoluna@lwvwi.org to get involved with the Committee and a specific portfolio.
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Feb. 18th Primary Ballot: State Superintendent of Public Instruction
The State Superintendent of Public Instruction serves as the head of Wisconsin's Department of Public Instruction (DPI). In this role, they oversee public schools and libraries, promote ways to improve schools, and evaluate the performance of schools.
The DPI is the state agency focused on education. The agency:
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Provides guidance and technical support to public schools.
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Reviews and approves library staff, school administrator, and educator training programs and licenses
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Ensures that school districts meet their responsibilities to student with disabilities as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
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Proposes a state education budget to the governor
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Distributes funding to public schools and libraries
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Administers the Wisconsin Education Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Why does this matter?
The state superintendent of public instruction’s decisions impact: school curriculum choices, education for children with disabilities, educator quality, public library resources, and educational opportunities for students across the state. As an elected official, the state superintendent of public instruction is held accountable by voters.
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| Where Do We Go From Here?
Saturday, March 1, 2025, 2-3:30 pm
Meet and Mingle begins at 1:30 pm
Please join the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County for Post–Election Reflections: Empowering Voters, Protecting Civil Rights and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) with Karen Nelson, DEI Consultant, Nelstar Enterprises LLC.
Summit Place
6737 W. Washington Street, West Allis, WI
Use the Visitor Parking Lot and Entrance· 1st Floor Conference Room
Free and open to the public
Light refreshments will be served. RSVP Suggested But Not Required | Understanding State Supreme Court Elections: Wisconsin & Beyond
The State Democracy Research Initiative and the Elections Research Center at UW-Madison present an Election Matters 2025 Panel, “Understanding State Supreme Court Elections: Wisconsin and Beyond,” sponsored by Stafford Rosenbaum LLP.
The event is Friday, March 7, from 3:00-4:15 pm in-person and on Zoom. More information here | Hayslett Presents New Book About Vel Phillips
SATURDAY, FEB 15
LWVMC member Jerrianne Hayslett will give a presentation on her new book, Valiant Vel: Vel Phillips and the Fight for Fairness and Equality on Saturday, Feb. 15. The event will be at the Milwaukee Public Library Centennial Hall, Loos Room, 733 N. Eighth St., Milwaukee, 1 p.m. - 2 p.m., https://www.jerriannehayslett.com/index.php/events. Jerrianne will be joined by the book's illustrator Aaron Boyd, and Vel's son Michael Phillips. More information here: MPL Event
| Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee “Laundry Night”
Monday, February 24, 7:00pm-9:00pm
Sugar Maple, 441 E. Lincoln Avenue, Bay View
The Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee, a LWVMC funder, invites those passionate about fostering gender equity to gather for an evening of authentic conversations and meaningful connections. Topics vary and casually unfold into practical insights and strategies to drive progress. This month’s host is Monica Shah-Davidson, former WF Board Chair.
Held on the last Monday of each month, Laundry Night gatherings offer a supportive and welcoming space for open dialogue, shared learning, and collective growth. No fee; registration encouraged. Register here
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Accessing Members-Only Resources on the LWVMC Website
The website contains resources for members-only. Members must be logged in to see this information.
| 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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