 |  |  | LWVWI Celebrates the New Election Observer Rule: A Win for WI Voters
The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin celebrates the adoption of a new administrative rule by the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) establishing consistent standards for election observers statewide. The rule will take effect August 1, 2025 and serves as a major step forward in safeguarding election integrity and voter rights. We are proud to have played a central role in its development and passage. The rule received bipartisan support from both the WEC and the state legislature’s Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules.
“This rule would not have passed without the work of the League and our partners—from recommending that the Wisconsin Elections Commission create an advisory committee, to actively serving on that committee and offering detailed feedback on each provision. We voiced our support during public hearings and were involved at every stage of the process,” said Eileen Newcomer, Voter Education Manager for the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin.
Read our full statement here |  |
WI Supreme Court Strikes Down 1849 Abortion Ban
In a 4–3 decision, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that the state’s 1849 abortion ban cannot be enforced.
The decision restores clarity for patients and providers, affirming that abortion remains legal in Wisconsin up to 20 weeks, with exceptions beyond that to protect the health of the pregnant person.
This ruling is a critical step forward for reproductive freedom and access to care across the state. |  | |
Good Trouble Lives On Demonstration
Thursday, July 17, 4-5:30pm - Waukesha
Sidewalk in front of Cutler Park - 321 Wisconsin Ave., Waukesha
Good Trouble Lives On is a national day of nonviolent action. On July 17, the anniversary of Congressman John Lewis’s passing, we’re taking action across the country to defend our democracy and carry forward his legacy of Good Trouble.
From voter suppression bills like the SAVE Act to the criminalization of protest, a full-scale attack has been launched on our civil and human rights. But we know the truth: in America, the power lies with the people, and we’re rising to prove it.
This is more than a peaceful protest; it’s a moral reckoning. A continuation of the movement Lewis helped lead, and a new front in the struggle for freedom.
Please join Donna Spars and Liz Harris-Hodge in honoring John Lewis’ legacy. LWV attire encouraged.
If you would like to demonstrate with the League, meet up outside Waukesha Cafe House, 410 Wisconsin Ave., at 3:45. Donna will be carrying the US flag. Contact Donna - dspars@lwvmilwaukee.org, if you have questions.
For more information: Good Trouble Demonstration and Waukesha Resist | |
LWVWI, together with local leagues, is hosting a 60th Anniversary celebration commemorating the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and we hope you can join us!
This will be a powerful community gathering to honor landmark civil rights legislation and mobilize against decades of attacks on voting rights, with a call to restore and protect them through the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
Diana Wynn, LWV president, is the keynote speaker.
Register here! | | | |
Google help?
Are you a Google Guru or a Google Genius? Or even just a regular person who knows more about using Google than most of us? If so, we need you! We would like to hold a series of training sessions about Google and all its glorious facets. Many of our members are novices, and need to start from the beginning. Others of us know enough to get by, but would like to become proficient. We will be using Google’s training videos to conduct each session and then have a Q&A discussion guided by you, our Expert. If you are able to help us, please contact Nancy Maloney at n.maloney@lwvmilwaukee.org.
|  | | Climate Action Update
Virtually attend the July 16, 10-11:30 a.m. City-County Climate Advisory Board meeting to learn about Milwaukee County’s efforts to address climate change. The County’s Sustainability Director Grant Helle will present the newly adopted County Climate Action 2050 Plan. (Scroll down to July 16 at https://milwaukeecounty.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx for a link to attend.)
Jul 26, 2025 10-11:30am: meet informally with members and friends to discuss your July 16 experience and share your thoughts for potential climate-related events in the LWVMC 2025-26 year. The impact of the changes at the federal level makes the work of our LWVMC Climate Action Group more important than ever. Connect with like-minded neighbors to brainstorm ways we can work together on the local level to create the healthy climate and environment we want for current and future generations.
Sign up now for your County Supervisor’s email updates to stay current with County efforts to address climate change. Sign up at https://findyourcountysupervisor.com/?utm_source=www.findyourcountysupervisor.com (When you enter your address, use N, S, E, W for cardinal directions.)
If you are interested in attending our meetings, being on the email list, or joining the CAG, contact c.owley@lwvmilwaukee.org
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Q: When did same sex marriages become legal? Is it possible to reverse the legality of same sex marriage?
Same-sex marriage became legal nationwide on June 26, 2015, due to the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges. This ruling guaranteed marriage rights to same-sex couples.
Overturning this right would necessitate a future Supreme Court case challenging its legality, with the Court declaring the prior decision "egregiously wrong" or that the Constitution doesn't guarantee such rights. Alternatively, a constitutional amendment explicitly defining marriage as between a man and a woman could be pursued. This is a lengthy and complex process.
In summary, overturning same-sex marriage rights requires a significant legal or constitutional shift, both complex and unlikely without broad public and legislative support.
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Important LGBTQ Case for All Public Schools
The Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling in Mahmoud v. Taylor (June 2025) requires public schools nationwide to inform parents about LGBTQ+ content in their curriculum and provide opt-out options. This decision found that Montgomery County schools in Washington D.C. violated parents' Free Exercise rights by not allowing opt-outs for LGBTQ-themed storybook lessons.
Dissenting justices argued that this ruling could undermine public education by allowing parents to shield their children from diverse ideas. Justice Sotomayor specifically cited concerns about "impossible administrative burdens" this decision could place on schools and courts in determining opt-out eligibility. Analysts suggest this ruling may set a precedent for broader exceptions to lessons covering various sensitive topics, including LGBTQ issues and racial history. Catholics for Choice, who oppose the ruling, expressed concern that "The Supreme Court decided that it is okay for parents to teach their children to discriminate and judge people who are different from them."
LGBTQ+ -- EVERY LETTER MATTERS!
Contact Kaye Vance: k.vance@lwvmilwaukee.org to join the LGBTQ+ Committee. |  | |
Voting Rights Act - Anniversaries to Celebrate
On Aug. 6, 2025, help celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act (VRA), and the 50th anniversary of the Language Minority Provision, an amendment to the VRA that protects citizens’ access to election information in their dominant language.
Both anniversaries fall on Aug. 6, selected for its historic significance – the day in 1861 when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Confiscation Act, a precursor to the Emancipation Proclamation.
Eloisa Gómez, League facilitator for the Milwaukee VRA Anniversary Commemorative Advisory Committee, outlined the celebratory activities. She is also chair of LWVMC Comité por el voto Latino/ Latinx Outreach team and a member of LWVWI’s Wisconsin Community Alliance Committee (CAC).
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VRA Day will be proclaimed by Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and Governor Evers, and other elected officials throughout the state.
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A series of voter awareness actions will begin on Juneteenth Day, June 19, with the theme, “We Are the Voting Rights Act”/ “Somos la ley del derecho al voto.”
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Educational events will increase public knowledge of current challenges facing voting rights by state or federal legislation.
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Organizers will produce up to 20 videos, using the theme, “Amplify the Vote,” of diverse Milwaukeeans sharing their perspective on the importance of the voting.
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To highlight key historical victories after decades of racial discrimination, a bilingual informational handout material about Mr. Ezekiel Gillespie, Milwaukee resident – and the first African American gaining the right to vote in Wisconsin – has been created for distribution throughout the city. Read about it HERE
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Book clubs and libraries will be encouraged to promote books on civil rights.
| | Here’s why some in Milwaukee say we can’t afford to lose Emily Sterk: | |
So writes David Blake from the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service… and we agree. Gail Sklodowska (VP Advocacy) encourages all to read the full article to see how Emily is changing hearts and minds in Milwaukee as she conducts research, participates in advocacy and develops policy ideas geared toward confronting mass incarceration.
Emily’s Mass Incarceration advocacy program will hold its next monthly meeting via Zoom on August 4th at 4:00 p.m. |  | SPRING FUNDRAISING APPEAL UPDATE
Thank you to the LWVMC member donors and non-member donors who responded to our Spring Fundraising Appeal! The Spring Appeal which ended on June 30 raised $5,475 toward the $10,000 goal.
Your support helps fund our operating expenses and our fight against the undemocratic actions by our government. We see the Executive branch abuse its power and watch Congress not exercising its authority to protect the rule of law and defend the Constitution. We cannot back down from the assaults on free speech, voting rights, and immigration.
If you did not donate to the Spring Appeal and want to support our continuing efforts to defend democracy, click here (Donate Today) and make a donation today.
If you cannot make a one-time donation at this time, consider setting up a monthly donation in an amount that will fit with your budget. You can set up a monthly donation for any amount and a minimum of $10 per month. Set up your monthly donation HERE.
Any questions about setting up a monthly donation? Please contact Mary Voelker. |  | |
“This app is the easiest way to stay on top of League legislative action updates” says Gail Sklodowska, VP Advocacy. “Glad to see LWVWI taking advantage of it.”
Stay in the loop and take action—join the OutreachCircle app for the latest updates from LWVWI on how to protect democracy. You’ll get timely alerts and tools to make your voice heard when it matters most. Join League in Action here! |  |  | |
Interested in Helping Refugees in Our Community?
Hanan Refugee Resettlement assists refugees with housing arrangements, clothing, and groceries in starting a new life. Their budget has been markedly diminished in the last months.
Volunteers Needed: July 26th 11AM–2PM
Salam Elementary School, 815 W. Layton Ave
Join Hanan Refugee Resettlement Agency for the Refugee & Immigrant Health Fair on Saturday, July 26th in Milwaukee! Hanan assists refugees after their arrival in the US in starting a new life. We’re looking for general volunteers to help with setup, clean-up, registration, babysitting & games, as well as language interpreters (Pashto, Dari, Arabic, Burmese, Rohingya, Spanish, Somali, Swahili, and Urdu)
Email staff@hananrrg.org to volunteer.
Questions? Contact Donna Spars at d.spars@lwvmilwaukee.org. |
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Thank you! LWVMC
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