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Be “In the Know” On The Issues Your League Cohorts Tirelessly Advocate For!
Sign up for Session 2 on Friday, Jan 23rd here.
| Sign up for Session 3 here. Sign up for Session 4 here.
Speaking of advocacy….any interest in being on the advocacy team? For 100 years, members have forwarded the League’s mission “with one voice” based on member research and approval of important positions on issues. We utilize these issues to engage folks in voting for their values. Contact Gail Sklodowska @ g.sklodowska@lwvmilwaukee.org. |  | | Local Action
Data Center Moratorium in the City of Milwaukee - Last December, Alderwoman Dimitrijevic proposed a regulatory framework for data centers in the City of Milwaukee that includes a 6-month moratorium. We ask our LWVMC members living in the City to phone their alderperson to find out how the proposal is progressing and to report back to l.petering@lwvmilwaukee.org. Our request is based on a LWVUS position in “support of coordinated resource management through comprehensive long-range planning as well as regional planning by federal, state, and local governments (p.107 Impact on Issues). Click here to find your alderperson.
Looking Ahead
Jan 24, 9-11am - LWVMC Climate Action Group, Planning for 2026. Members interested in addressing climate change, including all CAG Steering Committee members, will gather in person, location to be determined. Draft Agenda coming soon. Contact l.petering@lwvmilwaukee.org if you wish to attend.
Feb 11, 6:20-8:00pm - Environmental Impacts of Data Centers. LWV All-State Winter Webinar sponsored by La Crosse Area and Dane County Chapters. Register here. Speakers, Michael Grief, Legal Fellow at Midwest Environmental Advocates, Amy Barrilleaux, Communications Director, Clean Wisconsin. Moderator: Gretchen Sabel, Chair, LWV Upper Mississippi River Region.
Reports
County Resolutions - The two resolutions before the County Board on Dec 18, 2025 passed unanimously. Our County is now on record in support of a) data center accountability and transparency and b) engaging outside counsel on a contingency basis to initiate lawsuits regarding i.) contamination by PFAS and ii) contributions to climate change.
Nov. 22 program, Addressing Climate Change in Milwaukee County - Video and slides now available on our LWVMC website homepage, LWVMilwaukee.org. Please share with family and friends. |  |
LGBTQ+ Supreme Court Cases of the Week
The Supreme Court heard arguments last week concerning banning transgender students from participating in women's sports. These are 2 separate cases challenging state laws banning transgender students from competing in girl's/women's sports in West Virginia and Idaho. In both cases, the lower courts sided with the challengers, allowing transgender students to continue competing in sports. The conservative-majority court appears to be leaning toward backing the ban. This decision will have nationwide effects, since 25 other states, not including Wisconsin, have similar bans.
Transgender people make up a tiny fraction of all athletes. NCAA President Charlie Baker testified in December 2024 that he knows of fewer than ten transgender college student-athletes among 510,000 athletes total. Recent policy changes and bans in many states and college athletic associations may have reduced participation or reporting of transgender women in college sports overall. These bans focus only on trans girls and women. |
To stay informed about legislation affecting the LGBTQ+ community and track advocacy efforts, visit Fair Wisconsin’s Bills to Watch page:
https://fairwisconsin.com/bills-to-watch
To identify and contact your state legislators and relevant committee members, use MyVote Wisconsin: https://myvote.wi.gov
Speaking up matters.
LGBTQ+ ... All Letters Matter!
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Come Make Protest Signs with Us & Then Hit the Streets on
Saturday, February 7, 10AM-12PM
Wauwatosa Public Library, Firefly Room, 7635 W. North Ave.
Followed by protesting from 12PM-1:00PM
Photo Credit: Animalia-Life.club
| | | Following poster making, protest with Indivisible Milwaukee, on 76th and North Ave. (or at another protest of your choice). Parking is available at the library for both events-you can park, make a poster (all supplies provided with light refreshments) and then cross the street to protest! If you already have a poster, come anyway (bring a friend!) and have a treat and warm drink prior to demonstrating. Watch for the link to register.
Here is the link to the listing of ongoing weekly protests: Protest Rallies | |
Seeking Protest Co-Chairs
We are looking for 2-3 people to work alongside Unite & Rise Protest Committee Chair Bridgit Hansen. Responsibilities include identifying protest opportunities, setting up and running protest sign-making parties, gathering League protestors at events and taking pictures. With more leaders we can participate in more events and draw more people into resisting the unconstitutional actions of the administration. | | |
- Are you creative, organized and collaborative?
- Do you have good communication skills for guiding participants and ensuring everyone feels included?
- Are you able to take photos with your phone that will reflect the groups’ spirit?
- Do you have the enthusiasm and commitment to bring people together around supporting our Constitution?
If so, please email Bridgit Hansen at b.hansen@lwvmilwaukee.org. Let’s talk! | | A VARIETY OF OPPORTUNITIES FOLLOW. | | Would you Like to Serve as the LWVMC’s Representative to the Upper Mississippi Region Inter-league Organization?
Please nominate yourself for this position by completing this form.
If you would like to become more involved, that's wonderful. This post on the LWV UMRR blog describes the Action Committee and other opportunities. The LWVMC Natural Resources Committee will review the nominations and recommend its choice for approval to the Board. In addition, there is an opportunity to become a member of the UMRR ILO Board, with more responsibilities.
For more information, please contact Ann Batiza at a.batiza@lwvmilwaukee.org or 414-238-3903.
|  | | Library Liaison Volunteers Needed!
If you haven't picked up your library's updated literature packet, please let Amy or Marsha know and we will arrange a drop off.
We are also looking for volunteers to be liaisons for the following library locations:
- Martin Luther King Jr
- Center Street Library
- Whitefish Bay Library
|  |  | | Join the Observer Corp! Observe Local Government in Action!
The Observer Corp:
· Is a structured way for citizens to become involved in their community by observing and reporting on local government meetings.
· Promotes open, transparent, and accountable government.
· Educates the public about issues impacting their communities and their lives.
If you are:
· Interested in local government and/or the issues being discussed,
· Able to report and summarize proceedings in an objective, nonpartisan manner,
· A good listener, discreet and courteous,
JOIN US! Help ensure that the public and the League are aware of the decisions that impact us.
Observer Responsibilities:
· Commit to attending a Milwaukee City or County Committee meeting 1-2 times a month, in-person or virtually. (Most meetings are recorded.)
· Take notes and report back to the Observer Corp Chair.
For more information, please contact Robyn Furger at r.furger@lwvmilwaukee.org. |  | We now have a Speakers Bureau for the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County!!
As a LWVMC member, we welcome you to join the speaker roster. We have prepared 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.
Do you have a topic about which you already give presentations related to voting/democracy or one of our advocacy positions?
Please fill out this information form and we will contact you to follow up.
You can help us get the word out about the LWVMC Speakers Bureau. Do you belong to another organization that has a monthly or an occasional speaker? Think about your neighborhood association, school, church, even your book club.
If you have questions or want additional information, please contact Mary Voelker at SpeakersBureau@lwvmilwaukee.org. |  |  | |
Start Thinking About 2026 Elections Now
This is a great time to visit MyVote.WI.gov to request your absentee ballot for the full year. And, as the image above shows, there are other great reasons to bookmark this site! Update your address, check when the next primary or election is held and see what's on your ballot. |  |
The 2026 Spring Primary Online Voter Guide will be published to VOTE411.org on January 27 for the Spring Primary Election which will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
After January 27, 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.
Here are the primary races at the local level in Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties.
Primary races in Milwaukee County:
- Oak Creek – Franklin School District
- Franklin voters in wards 8, 12, 15, and 16 in the Oak Creek – Franklin Joint School District
- All Oak Creek voters in the Oak Creek – Franklin Joint School District
Primary races in Waukesha County:
- Waukesha County Board Supervisor District 24
- Waukesha City Alderperson District 13
- Hamilton School District (at large seat)
Watch for the 2026 Spring Election Online Voter Guide to be published on January 27!
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Attorney General Kaul Seeks to Dismiss Voter Data Law Suit
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a motion in federal court last week to compel the Wisconsin Election Commission(WEC) to release the state’s complete voter records which includes sensitive voter data like Social Security numbers. The DOJ first requested this information earlier last June but the WEC stated WI statutes prohibit release of the data. The DOJ then brought legal action against the WEC. Attorney General Kaul and the WEC responded with a motion to dismiss the DOJ lawsuit. The issue is now before a US District Judge. In addition, attorneys representing Latinos and retired WI employees have joined in the lawsuit opposing the release of the data.
The DOJ is demanding this data from more than 20 other states. In response to the data request one California Judge responded with this warning: “Taking democracy does not occur in one fell swoop; it is chipped away piece-by-piece until there is nothing left.“
Information was taken from this article in Urban Milwaukee.
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Tomorrow!
League Cafe, the book & general discussion group of LWVMC will meet at the East Side Library at 10:00 a.m. on Fri. Jan. 23, 2026. There is parking behind the library (through the archway). This is a general discussion month. There is always plenty to discuss. This is a good opportunity to get to know other league members as well as to deal with the issues of the day. | Interfaith March Lecture/Lunch Series: Raising Our Moral Voice
LWVMC will have a Unite & Rise table at the Interfaith March Lecture/Lunch Series at First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee, 1342 N Astor St. The luncheons are held on five Tuesdays in March. The public is invited. The cost is $20 for a vegetarian lunch for any of the five days or $90 for all five sessions. More information and registration here. | |
Webinar: How to Talk About the Value of Voting
A free webinar on Jan. 28, 1 pm CT, will address ways to engage people about the importance of voting. The event is sponsored by Nonprofit Vote, a nonpartisan organization, which helps nonprofit organizations help the people they serve find their civic voice. Registration and information here.
| Long-term I-94 Construction May Affect Office Access
Prepare for road closures along east-west I-94 as a seven-year construction project begins in November. The construction will expand I-94 to four lanes in each direction, reconstruct the Hawley Road Interchange as a half-interchange, and reconstruct the 68th Street/70th Street Interchange, according to WisDOT. Drivers are advised to check the project's website and plan alternate routes. | Lots of Ways to Support Local Democracy and Your League. Thank You! | Follow us on Social Media! | You have received this message from the mailing list of League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County. If you would prefer not to receive these emails in the future, go to the opt-out page and modify your privacy settings. You can also request to be removed from our database completely. | |