Inside this issue...
- President's Message
- Unite & Rise
- MLK Jr. Event on 1/19
- VOTE411
- Speakers Bureau
- Repro Rights Tracking Legislation
- Observer Corps
- Lake Michigan Region (Karen Lemke)
- Climate Action Group
- Comité 12/3 Meeting Recap
- Naturalization Committee Leadership Change
- Money Matters
- LWVUS/LWVMC Sues Federal Government
- LWVMC Office Refresh
- Membership Reminder
- Donate
- Follow Us On Social Media
|  | President's Message
The League of Women Voters was founded in 1920 out of the women's suffrage movement, just as the Nineteenth Amendment was about to secure voting rights for many women in the United States. Suffrage leaders such as Carrie Chapman Catt envisioned the League as a “mighty political experiment,” designed to help newly enfranchised women become informed, effective voters and advocates for sound public policy. From the start, the organization was explicitly nonpartisan: it would neither support nor oppose individual candidates or parties, but would take strong positions on issues after careful study and member consensus.
In the current era, many League leaders and members see democracy as under strain from attacks on voting rights, disinformation, extreme partisan gerrymandering, and efforts to undermine trust in elections. The League responds within its nonpartisan framework by monitoring election administration, educating voters, challenging restrictive laws in court, and advocating reforms to make elections fairer, more accessible, and more secure. Its focus remains on empowering every eligible voter, strengthening checks and balances, and ensuring that government is accountable to the people rather than to narrow partisan or special interests.
Looking ahead to the 2026 elections, the League’s mission points toward treating that cycle as a critical opportunity to restore balance and resilience in American democracy at every level of government. By registering and informing voters, promoting fair districting and transparent campaigns, and insisting that candidates address issues of voting rights and democratic norms, communities can help shape a Congress, statehouses, and local bodies that are more responsive and reflective of the electorate. The path forward lies in broad, informed participation—using 2026, and every election thereafter, to choose leaders committed to protecting voting access, respecting the rule of law, and rebuilding public confidence in democratic institutions.
In League,
Peg Schrader
President
| | |  | |
Unite & Rise Campaign Kicks into High Gear in 2026
By: Donna Spars, Chair, Unite & Rise 8.5 Milwaukee County
In Autumn 2025, LWVMC's Unite & Rise captain Donna Spars convened a kick-off meeting attended by nearly 80 members and nonmembers to recruit volunteers for this pro-democracy campaign, which runs through November 2026. Dozens of people stepped up to help, including new member Jean Radtke, who leads the Unite & Rise communications team.
Donna Spars, Genene Hibbler, and Jean Radtke are developing a Unite & Rise 8.5 2026 communications plan to identify target audiences, goals, strategies, key creative messages and tactics. The goal: mobilizing 8.5 million voters to take back our Constitution and save democracy.
What you can do right now:
- urge Senators to oppose the anti-voter SAVE Act
- join actions against illegal deportations
- tell Congress not to cut Medicaid
- get involved with your local League of Women Voters
- Be one of the 8.5 million by keeping up-to-date on the Unite & Rise campaign via LWVMC's Weekly Update and on our Unite & Rise Website
Is Our Country Really in a Constitutional Crisis?
Short answer-- yes. Watch a brief explanation here
Read the LWVUS press release here
Subscribe to LWVWI Unite & Rise bi-weekly update e-news
| | |  | |
It's Time to Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - Jan. 19th
By: Elizabeth Harris-Hodge and Karen Nelson, Event Co-Leaders
Join the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County in celebrating the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., on January 19, 2026, from 2 to 4 pm at Summit Place, Room 2135, 6737 W. Washington St., West Allis. There will be a panel discussion titled “Where Do We Go From Here? What's Next?” The League's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee is sponsoring the event, along with the NAACP Milwaukee Branch. Come out and become part of the movement to promote equality for all!
Register Now
Questions? Reach out to Elizabeth at e.harris-hodge@lwvmilwaukee.org or Karen at k.nelson@lwvmilwaukee.org
| | | |
VOTE411- Your Election Resource
By: Mary Voelker, VOTE411 Co-Chair
VOTE411 is an online voter guide with election related information. It is committed to ensuring voters have the information they need to successfully participate in every election. VOTE411 provides nonpartisan information to the public with both general and state-specific information on the election process. It is unbiased, relevant and easy to use, considered the most trusted nonpartisan election website. 9.19 million users received election information in 2024 from VOTE411 in English and Spanish.
WHY IS VOTE411 IMPORTANT?
In a democracy, people choose leaders by voting. Every person deserves to have election information including candidates’ positions on issues that matter the most in our everyday lives. The right to vote is essential and allows us to speak on these issues.
WHO OWNS VOTE411?
The League of Women Voters Education Fund owns and operates VOTE411, going beyond MyVote.wi.gov to include how candidates running for office stand on the challenges and issues facing their communities.
WHEN CAN I USE VOTE411?
The VOTE411 online voter guide is published prior to each election. The online guide will be available at the end of January for the February primary election when there is one. It is available in March for the April Spring Election.
HOW DOES VOTE411 WORK?
Go to VOTE411.org, fill in your address and see your polling place location, what is on your personal upcoming election ballot, and compare candidates’ answers to questions posed by the League.
You can print or email the information to use as a reference when you actually vote. You can even take it to the polls with you on your cell phone or tablet. VOTE411 does not save your information, it will be lost when you leave the site.
HOW ARE THE QUESTIONS CREATED?
The National League (LWVUS) creates questions for candidates running for national offices and the State League (LWVWI) for candidates running for state offices. The VOTE411 team in LWVMC creates the questions that are posed to candidates running for local offices. League members suggest questions. There is a review process before questions are finalized.
HOW IS THE VOTER GUIDE CREATED?
Prior to each election, the VOTE411 team electronically invites all candidates to participate in our guide, asking them for biographical information and requesting their response to issue-related questions. They will have approximately two weeks to reply. Candidates who do not respond will have “No response” placed next to their names in the Guide.
| | The VOTE411 team is
recruiting volunteers for:
* Community Volunteer Coordinator for Waukesha County
* Community Volunteers for Milwaukee and Waukesha County.
* Volunteers to assist with marketing VOTE411.
Contact Beth Lueck at b.lueck@lwvmilwaukee.org for more information on community volunteers.
Contact Mary Voelker at m.voelker@lwvmilwaukee.org for more information on marketing volunteers.
| | | | |  | |
By: Heather Godley and Mary Voelker
Do you want to share what you know about voting, defending democracy, or our advocacy positions? Our League is starting a Speakers Bureau with member volunteers making presentations to community groups. It will be the League’s educational outreach to provide civic education in a more strategic, intentional, and organized way.
The Speakers Bureau is organized according to work it does:
- Finding speaking opportunities (Team lead Theresa Bellone)
- Recruiting/supporting speakers (Team lead Heather Godley)
- Presentations (Team lead Jodi Delfosse)
- Scheduling (Team lead Amy Ziolkowski)
Finding speaking opportunities
We need your help in getting the word out. Talk to people in your neighborhood, school, church, book club -- find out what they are interested in learning more about, with regard to voting, defending democracy, the upcoming midterm election, any of our advocacy issues -- and we will find a speaker and customize a presentation. These need not be large formal events, but anywhere people gather and are interested in issues that matter.
Recruiting/supporting speakers
We need speakers. That’s where you come in, and we need your help. Whether you’re an experienced presenter or would like to have a new experience, whether you’ve been heavily involved in our chapter or are brand new to the LWVMC, consider becoming a speaker for the LWVMC Speakers Bureau. We have presentations about the League and its work around voting and defending democracy, and about the history of voting rights that we want to share widely within the community. Or do you have a topic of civics education that you are passionate about and willing to share with others? Please fill out this information form and we will contact you to follow up.
The priorities this winter and spring are:
- To get the word out about this new initiative for the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County. Look at your networks and bring us ideas about groups interested in having a presentation from the League and topics they are interested in.
- To recruit members who want to be on the speaker roster,
- Because you have a topic you are passionate about and are willing to share with others.
- Because you want to represent our League in the community for civics education, talking about voting and defending democracy.
If you have questions or want additional information, please contact Mary Voelker or one of the team leads at SpeakersBureau@lwvmilwaukee.org. | | |  | |
Tracking WI Legislature Votes on Repro Rights
By Charlie Gaebler-Uhing, M.D., co-chair, Reproductive Rights Committee
Welcome to 2026. Yes, 2026 is a great year for new beginnings in Wisconsin! This year is the second cycle of State Legislative elections under our improved fair maps! Voters have the chance to vote for candidates who share their values on many important topics. It is good news for reproductive rights, as the majority of Wisconsinites believe abortion is a choice best left up to a woman (79%) and the state should not interfere with access to contraception (85%).
Since 2011, our legislature has passed increasingly restrictive abortion access laws and barriers to contraception. Since many of these legislators are still in office and are running for re-election or state-wide office, they would like us to forget how they voted.
Empowering voters to vote their values is one LWV core value, and providing voters with objective data is another. Throughout 2026, we will provide links to the voting record on the restrictive reproductive health WI bills passed. You can easily review the list of ayes and nays for both the State Senate and Assembly. Please share with friends and family.
In this issue of The Voter, we start at the beginning, in 2011. 2011 Wisconsin Act 217, Senate Bill 306: One of the most restrictive medication abortion laws in the country passed the Senate with 17 ayes and 15 nays. Check how the senators voted here. It later passed the assembly with 60 ayes and 33 nays (6 did not vote); check how the representatives voted here.
This bill requires an M.D. exam, in-person visit, restricts the use of telehealth and mid-level providers, which are commonly and safely used for this care. Since WI has a 24-hour waiting period, it creates a further barrier by requiring that the same M.D. who saw the patient must prescribe the medication. | | |  | |
The Observer Corps
By: Robyn Furger, Chair, Observer Corps Committee
What it is and why is it important?
LWV principles include the requirement that government bodies protect citizens’ right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings and making public records accessible. Observer programs ensure that citizens are aware of the decisions that impact their communities and promote government transparency and accountability. They keep elected and appointed officials on notice that someone is watching what decisions are being made and how they are being made.
What do Observers do?
Observers attend governmental meetings, note what happens at the meeting and report back to the League. Observers monitor both the issues being discussed, especially issues that are League priorities, as well as how they are being discussed and acted on.
Observers learn more about what their governments are doing as well as about the issues facing their communities. Observer Reports are posted on the League website, where members can read them and apply the information to their League work.
What do Observers NOT do?
Observer programs are not vehicles for individuals to work a personal or partisan agenda. Observers generally do not “act” on issues or share their personal opinions on issues in these meetings. Do not speak for the League at public meetings, only observe or ask for clarification.
If you are:
- interested in local government and/or the issues being discussed
- are able to report in an objective, nonpartisan manner
- able to summarize proceedings in a non-biased manner
- a good listener, discreet and courteous
JOIN US!
Help ensure that the public is aware of the decisions that impact them!
For more information please contact Robyn Furger at ObserverCorp@lwvmilwaukee.org | | |  | | Lake Michigan Region Inter-League Group, Connecting Around the Lake
By:Karen Lemke, LVW Lake Michigan Region
Hello from your inter-league liaison representing Milwaukee County to the rest of our sister organizations around our Great Lake Michigan.
Data Centers are on the minds of many of us in the region and were the topic of at least two regional talks across the leagues. This WUMW Article gives some basics:
Link to LWV Upper Mississippi Region Recording of Data Center Zoom from 12/9/25
Link to Data Center Web Series
Part of why I volunteered for this role to connect with other Leagues across the region is my interest in bioregionalism, organizing around our watersheds or life-places. I live in Milwaukee, which is in the Great Lakes Basin, on Lake Michigan. The Great Lakes hold 21 percent of the world's fresh water.
Earlier this year I participated in the Design School for Regenerating Earth's learning journey, "How to Organize Your Bioregion," which connected me to people all over the world who explore how our watersheds organize use. Bioregions or "life-places" are the places which create the conditions for life of humans and the more-than-human world. Several of us are committed to not only ecosystem restoration of our watersheds, but healing social ruptures within our communities as well. Design school members live in the Great Lakes region throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.
Read more about bioregionalism Here.
In 2026, I’m planning to host some climate solutions role-play gaming sessions of the MetaCrisis-MetaChrysalis-Milwaukee game. You can find more info at metachrysalis.org. I also plan to host some walk and talks and speakers on topics of interest to those of us in the Great Lakes. In March I will be hosting a panel at the Midwest Climate Summit highlighting bioregionalism projects in the region and the legal arguments for the rights of nature. Save the date for a Feb 19th trip to our sister organization LWV Ozaukee and Washington Counties, 6pm at Cedarburg Library--Protecting and Preserving our Great Lakes, hosted by their LWVOzWa Youth Vote Group. More info here.
|  | | Map of Participants in the 2025 Design School for Regenerating Earth, How to Organize your Bioregion Learning Journey | | |  | | Acting Locally to fight Climate Change
By: Candice Owley and Louise Petering, Co-Chairs of the Climate Action Committee
While climate change is a global issue, we certainly felt its impact across Milwaukee County during and after our August 9/10 rain event. Despite federal setbacks to address the issue, Milwaukee City and County sustainability directors, Erick Shamberger and Grant Helle, respectively, are tackling the issue -- to our collective benefit. Their presentations at our November 22 event were both educational and inspirational. LWVMC members and others signed up to support local efforts by regularly contacting their elected officials to assure the success of these local plans.
Learn More About ECO
(Milwaukee Environmental Collaboration Office)
Battles Over Massive Data Centers Hear Up Wisconsin
By: Candice Owley and Louise Petering, Co-Chairs of the Climate Action Committee
Daily news reports are raising concerns about the negative impacts of the energy demands of new, massive data centers. Opposition to their high demand of water for cooling, increased greenhouse gas emissions, noise and light pollution are among impacts unifying people from multiple persuasions. In Wisconsin, citizens are demanding answers and transparency. Caledonia residents recently stopped a center, though nearby Mt. Pleasant remains a possible location. In Port Washington three women were arrested for speaking out and then interrupting proceedings at the City Council’s public hearing.
Help for Communities: Hyperscale Data Center Toolkit -- Sierra Club, Midwest Environmental Advocates, Wisconsin Greenfire, and Healthy Climate Wisconsin have created a new advocacy tool kit, Hyperscale Data Centers in Wisconsin: Big Tech Unchecked!, to help communities wanting to take action. View Doc
Wisconsin Data Center Accountability Bill - AB722 / SB729
Pending before the state legislature, this proposal would hold the AI and utility companies accountable when building massive data centers. Its passage would ensure that communities and ratepayers aren’t left bearing the financial and environmental cost of these centers.
Take Action on Climate by becoming a League Climate Activist.
LWVMC Climate Action Group works to address climate change by sponsoring educational programs and by engaging members to take local action when climate change is on a public hearing agenda. Contact Louise Petering at l.petering@lwvmilwaukee.org
On January 24, 2026 from 9 to 11 a.m. the Climate Action group will be meeting to celebrate the accomplishments of 2025 and make climate action plans for 2026. If you are interested in attending these meetings, being on the email list or joining the Steering Committee which meets monthly contact Louise Petering at lpetering@lwvmilwaukee.org or Candice Owley at c.owley@lwvmilwaukee.org.
| | |  |
Comité Leads South Side Collaboration for 2026
By: Eloisa Gomez, Co-chair Comité por el voto latino
Twelve community partners supportive of nonpartisan voter outreach on Milwaukee’s South side gathered on December 3rd at the Zablocki Public Library for agency information-sharing, networking and exploring collaboration opportunities to increase registered voters and voter outreach for the upcoming elections in 2026. This annual gathering was organized by the League’s Comité por el voto Latino and included a number of League leadership and League volunteers.
The event hosted two key speakers: Paulina Gutierrez, Executive Director of the Milwaukee Election Commission, who spoke about MEC’s work to be fully prepared for each election; and Ryan Cox, Legal Director of ACLU Wisconsin, who focused on voter rights and voter protection at the polls. A Q&A time followed. A special thanks goes to the Comité members who organized and implemented this successful gathering.
Comité lead Eloisa Gomez said, “Within several days of this gathering, social media exchanges began to occur, highlighting a desire of groups to work collaboratively on behalf of the public, and we will work towards greater synergy among ourselves.”
|  | | Above: LWVMC Latinx team convened a meeting with representatives of several southside community organizations to discuss collaborative citizen outreach efforts for a busy 2026 election year. |
New Leaders to Take Over the Naturalization Voter Services Team in 2026
By:Candice Owley, VP of Voters Services
After more than 10 years of outstanding volunteer service overseeing the work of the Naturalization Voter team, Mary Jo McDonald and Linda Neubauer announced their decision to step back and have others take up the leadership role. The good news is that two members, Kathy Lake and Julie Ristow, have agreed to step forward and be oriented to this critical role. They know they have big shoes to fill and are grateful that Linda and Mary Jo will be guiding them in their new positions – plus they will continue to be volunteers for this important work that LWVMC has been doing for over 50 years
| | Above, left to right: outgoing Naturalization Committee co-chairs Linda Neubauer and Mary Jo McDonald and incoming co-chairs Kathy Lake and Julie Ristow. | |
Fund Development Committee (FDC)
By: Amy Germershausen, Chair Fund Development Committee
The FDC contributes to cultivating and stewardship of current, new, and prospective donors through activities that generate interest in LWVMC and education that promotes empowering voters and defending democracy.
Approximately one-third of our revenue comes from membership dues, fundraising and other forms of income; one third comes from support from foundations and the remaining one third from donations. |  | |
The FDC will focus on the following during 2026:
-
Foundational support through grants: The Grant Writing Committee has worked throughout the year to research and find foundations that are interested in the goals of the League of Women Voters. We then determine the calendar for submissions for these grants, build relationships with the grant committee members, draft, edit and submit grant proposals, and follow up with final reports once the grants are awarded. It is very interesting and important work, and we are always looking for volunteers who would be willing to write, research or edit. We are also looking for members who have employers who may have charitable foundations to present our work and goals to these committee members. If you would be interested in learning more about this committee, please contact Amy.
-
Member support through donations: Both members and non-members contribute to several appeals held throughout the year. We directly appeal to members for support, at the end of the calendar year (January) and at the end of the LWVMC fiscal year (June 30). This year’s President, Peg Schrader, sent out letters to every member with several options on how you can donate, through check or on-line, or through several ways of contributing through your retirement distributions or through donor-funded accounts. The FDC will focus on education on how members can contribute through estate planning in the future. You can make on-line donations here. We also hold two giving days, celebrating International Women’s Day and International Democracy Day, where we solicit donations from non-members. The Fund Development will be working with the Social Media team to bring more potential donors to our cause.
-
For the third leg of our stool, we will be working with members to develop additional fundraising events. We did not run a coffee sale fundraiser this year, so watch for additional events in the future. If you have ideas about launching a successful fundraiser, please contact chair Amy Germershausen at a.germershausen@lwvmilwaukee.org.
| | We are looking for members to join the Fund Development committee. If you are interested, please contact Amy Germershausen at a.germershausen@lwvmilwaukee.org. Note that we are looking for people who can spare an hour a year, a month or a day. New committee members can contribute as much time, or as little time, as they can. We hope you will join us! | | | | |  | | LWVMC Joins in Federal Lawsuit
By:Candice Owley, VP of Voters Services
The League of Women Voters (LWV) and five state and local Leagues (the League) filed a lawsuit against the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other federal officials for enacting—abruptly and without following required process—a new rule that bars nonpartisan civic engagement groups from providing voter registration and promoting civic engagement to new US citizens at administrative naturalization ceremonies. The League is represented by Campaign Legal Center (CLC).
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots, membership-based civic engagement group that has long exercised its constitutionally protected right to engage new Americans in registering to vote at administrative naturalization ceremonies. This joyful event is a core part of the League’s mission to empower voters and defend democracy. But a new USCIS rule announced in August reversed prior policy and now allows only government officials to provide voter registration to new citizens after certain naturalization ceremonies.
As follow-up to the lawsuit, LWVUS has filed for an injunction which, if successful, will stop the rule and allow the League to resume voter education and registration services for new citizens until a court issues a final ruling. | | |  | | New Year - New Office Look!
Our freshly painted front office walls are adorned with framed limited-edition posters of artist Niki Johnson's "Pillars of Democracy." The posters depict (from left to right) Forward, Liberty, Justice, and Freedom as four first-time Wisconsin voters.
More about the art and related merchandise here.
A huge thanks to Peg and Dave Schrader for taking time to hang all the frames, and to Nancy Maloney for arranging the painting.
Come check out our fresh new space as we head into 2026! |  | | Check out the other front office wall with all the accolades the LWVMC has received from local and state and national officials! |  | | The selfie frames are now hanging just inside the doorway to the back office-- neat and tidy! | | |
|