VOTE411 will publish on March 8

 In preparation for the 2025 April 1 Spring Election, the LWV online Voter Guide at www.VOTE411.org will be published by the state league and our local league this Saturday, March 8 with candidate questions and the candidates’ verbatim responses. 

 The Voter Guide is only as good as the information it contains.

 YOU CAN HELP!!

 Beginning on Sunday, March 9, go to www.Vote411.org and enter your address.  You will see the races that appear on your 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.

 If your local candidates have not answered the League’s questions, please contact them and tell them you want to learn about where they stand on issues in our community.

Here is a sample script you can use in a phone call, a text, or an email to the candidates:  

1. If your candidate(s) has answered our questions, thank them!

Thank you for responding to VOTE411’s Voter Guide so that voters can be informed before casting their vote!

2. If your candidate(s) has NOT answered our questions, call on them to do so!

As voters, we want to hear where our candidates stand on the issues. That’s why I am calling on you to respond to VOTE411’s Voter Guide so we can be informed before casting our ballot! If you haven’t received our invitation, contact Sue Leister at voterguide@lwvmilwaukee.org to request she resend the invitation.

LWV Urges Congress To Use Its Constitutional Authority

LWVUS sent a letter to congressional leaders expressing strong concern over abandoning its duties and authorities under Article I of the US Constitution, urging leaders to address the unprecedented executive branch overreach threatening American democracy. The letter to Congress highlighted several recent executive branch actions that are causing significant harm to millions of Americans, including the undermining of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, attempts to end birthright citizenship, pause distribution of congressionally allocated federal funds, and dismantle federal agencies without proper congressional oversight.  

Of particular concern is the creation of an unofficial "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) with free rein to sensitive government systems and the summary removal of 17 inspectors general without the required congressional notice.

The letter emphasizes that while federal courts have already enjoined several of these executive actions, Congress has not exercised its constitutional oversight. The League and its supporters urge Congress to exercise its authority to protect the rule of law, defend the Constitution, and rein in the executive branch's overreach. Read the full letter here.

Contact your members of Congress at https://www.senate.gov/ and https://www.house.gov/

Televised WI Supreme Court Debate March 12

WISN 12 is presenting the WISN 12 Commitment 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court Debate on March 12, from 7– 8 p.m. The debate features Dane County Circuit Court Judge Susan Crawford and Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Brad Schimel. The April election will determine the ideological balance of Wisconsin’s Supreme Court. In the coming years, the court could be deciding on numerous controversial issues such as abortion access, election laws, congressional redistricting, and union rights. The race is shaping up to be the most expensive judicial election in United States’ history.

International Women’s Day is around the corner on March 8, 2025

International Women’s Day is around the corner on March 8, 2025

International Women’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world.  It is a day when women from every national, ethnic, cultural, economic and political background are recognized for their achievements. 

The League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County is doing a social media campaign targeting non-members and the general public with its first ever Giving Day to celebrate International Women’s Day on Saturday, March 8, 2025.    

How can you help?

Answer:   On Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instragram, search for LWVMC to find our posts for the Giving Day.  You can help by liking, commenting, sharing, and reposting the posts that the social media team has posted on Facebook and LinkedIn.  Add punch by adding your own comment when you share or repost!!

Sharing and reposting helps us spread the word about the League’s mission to empower voters and defend democracy and to reach more prospective donors.

Support Women-Owned Businesses

International Women’s Day is March 8, 2025.  It is a day that celebrates the achievements of women.  What better time to support women-owned businesses? 

Did you know that regardless of where you are in Milwaukee, you’re about 10 minutes from a woman-owned business?   See this graphic of women owned businesses in Milwaukee created by She Stands Tall, LLC and Bay View Printing Company here. 

Flex Your Civic Muscle on International Women's Day

Step forward in solidarity for International Women's Day (IWD) 2025 on March 8 to help #AccelerateAction for the causes you care about that impact women.  LWVMC is urging women to flex their civic muscle by working to boost turnout in the April 1 election. This is a high-stakes, yet typically low-turnout, election. Fewer than half of Wisconsin's eligible voters are expected to cast a ballot on April 1 -- so spread the word that every vote carries a lot of weight in a Spring Election!  Gather your girlfriends (and any other voters you know) and urge them to vote on April 1 (or at an early voting site, or via absentee ballot). 

Share the League's voter resources on the two statewide races and on the Proposed Constitutional Amendment:

Wisconsin Supreme Court Fact Sheet English

Wisconsin Supreme Court Fact Sheet Spanish

State Superintendent of Public Instruction English

State Superintendent of Public Instruction - Spanish

Amendment to the WI Constitution

Did You Get a Voter Registration Form in the Mail?

This month, the non-partisan and non-profit Voter Participation Center (VPC) and the Center for Voter Information (CVI) have mailed approximately 369,425 voter registration applications to eligible Wisconsin citizens to encourage voter participation. The letters begin "According to our review of publicly available records, someone at this address might not be registered to vote. . ."  

VPC/CVI has a data model to try and reach people who are not registered to vote. Their data is not perfect, so at times it includes people who are already registered to vote or the form is prefilled with inaccurate information for the voter.

 The mailings can be confusing and upsetting for people who are already registered to vote. The voter registration forms they include in the mailing are legitimate, but they are sometimes wrong in implying a person isn't registered when they actually are. If you know someone who has received the mailing, please advise them that they can confirm or update their registration directly at Wisconsin's online voter registration website: myvote.wi.gov or by contacting their municipal clerk.

Climate Action Group on the Move

On  March 1st the Climate Action Group steering committee held its first meeting. This is a group of volunteers from the larger Climate Action Group who have agreed to meet by zoom each month and help to guide the League's local actions on climate. 

At the meeting the group OK’d the list of local climate action opportunities focused on the City of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee County Climate Plan.  They also provided input on a report-back survey, Campaign for Local Climate Action to track our members’ and friends’ actions. The group supported the idea of sending Climate Action Alerts to notify not only the Climate Action Group members but also all LWVMC members who have expressed interest in addressing climate change to inform them of actions they can take.  Finally it was agreed efforts should be made to build Climate Action subgroups in 3 selected communities (Franklin, Shorewood and Wauwatosa).

Upcoming Steering Committee meetings will be by Zoom on Saturday mornings, 9:30 a.m., March 29 and Apr 26, 2025.  To join the Climate Action Group or the CAG Steering Committee, please contact Candice Owley or Louise Petering.

Join ACLU Phone-banking for Spring Election

LWVWI's voting rights partner, ACLU of WIsconsin, has opportunities to volunteer to phonebank with the ACLU to inform voters about the upcoming Supreme Court race and the civil rights issues at stake. Join the ACLU weekly phonebook to spread the word to make sure civil rights remain a priority in Wisconsin's highest court.

Sign up here.

Tell Congress to Oppose the SAVE Act

Volunteer at High School Registrations

Consider volunteering at high school registrations. You get to meet enthusiastic students and dynamic staff members. It is very rewarding to guide the students into becoming registered voters and engaged citizens. Most of the registrations are two-three hours. 

LWVUS Protest Safety Guidance

If you plan to participate in a political rally or protest march, know your rights and how to stay safe. If you decide to pull out your cell phone to record events, keep in mind that you have a 1st Amendment right to record law enforcement in public spaces, but only as long as you don't interfere -- and the police make that call.

 Read more advice from the national League here.

March 8 Rally in Milwaukee

A celebration of International Women's Day, 11am - 3 pm at Red Arrow Park.

The celebration begins at Red Arrow Park at 11 am for a rally and 0.5-mile march. 

Then, at Turner Hall, engage with neighbors, and a speaking panel of local activists, and enjoy local vendors and food trucks. The event will highlight the history of the revolutionary women’s movement and carry its banner forward.

Details here.

Women's History Month

PBS Explores History of Black Women's Suffrage 

Mainstream, white-led suffrage groups afforded no platform to Black women. Existing clubs for African Americans often focused first on their male members. Instead, Black women took charge of their own futures and self-organized.

Find out how Black women created a groundbreaking network that drove social and political change across the country, from suffrage to the Montgomery bus boycott. Read more here.

PBS: Celebrating Women’s History

has organized a Madison Action Day 2025—a dynamic day of advocacy, learning, and action in the heart of Wisconsin’s capital! This event is a unique opportunity to engage directly with policymakers, connect with a community of passionate changemakers, and advocate for policies that matter most to you.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Hear from inspiring speakers and community leaders

• Engage directly with Wisconsin lawmakers

• Meet and socialize with like minded individuals

Date: Thursday April 10, 2025

Time: 9:00 A.M. onward
Location: Madison Masonic Center, 301 W. Wisconsin Ave. Madison, WI 53703

Your voice has the power to make a difference. Join us in shaping a brighter, more just future.

Purchase a $35 early bird ticket, deadline extended to March 10: bit.ly/madisonactionday2025

35 Years of the ADA: Livestream Mar. 11

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