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League of Women Voters Wisconsin Annual Meeting May 29-30
| | The League of Women Voters Milwaukee County had over ten representatives, who joined in person or virtually, at the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin’s Annual Meeting in Wausau this past weekend. Attendees heard keynote speaker Dr. Carolyn Jefferson Jenkins reflect on the League’s history and progress. On Saturday, Gen Van Cleave and Bianca Shaw addressed current challenges in civic engagement. Breakout sessions and networking opportunities allowed members to exchange ideas and learn from other leagues. The well-attended conference proved both informative and inspiring. Participants returned with new strategies, stronger connections, and renewed commitment to voter education and community engagement efforts ahead. | |
Victory for Wisconsin voters
In a major victory for voters, a federal court has dismissed the Trump administration's lawsuit – an unprecedented overreach into state election administration – seeking to force Wisconsin to hand over the complete, unredacted electronic voter registration list of every voter in the state.
The ruling in United States v. Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) ends the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) unlawful attempt to invoke a 1960 civil rights law to compel Wisconsin to turn over sensitive personal voter data, including partial Social Security numbers and driver's license numbers. State and federal laws prohibit the release of this information.
Attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin, Law Forward, and the national ACLU represented Common Cause and a group of individual Wisconsin voters in the case.
The court affirmed what we already know to be true: confidential voter data is protected under the law, and the DOJ can't just unlawfully order WEC to hand over that information for political purposes.
This information was taken from the ACLU press statement on this victory. | League of Women Voters Annual Meeting is This Saturday! | Join us as we celebrate the past year and look forward to the future with a fabulous lunch, keynote speaker TR Edwards, staff council for Law Forward, who will talk about "Current Issues in Election Administration: Threats and Strategies", updates from local League leaders, and member voting, along with a chance to go home with fun prizes from our silent auction!
Like to greet people? Like to tidy up?
If you have questions, please contact Kelly at admin@lwvmilwaukee.org. | June 7th 2:00pm Walk & Talk with Dr. Karen Lemke: Meet at the Racine Heritage Museum to learn about Racine's history of community members supporting the abolishment of enslavement in the 1800s.
| June 10th 1:00pm Walk & Roll at the Vision Zero Summit with Dr. Karen Lemke: This Walk & Roll is part of the all-day Vision Zero Summit to promote safe streets for pedestrians, bikes and buses. Learn about “Native Milwaukee Lands”.
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LWVWI Files Lawsuit to Require Ballot Curing
Full article by Votebeat here.
League of Women Voters of Wisconsin has filed a lawsuit that seeks to require clerks to cure absentee ballots that have missing information, such as a full street address.
LWVWI argues that the state's absentee ballot curing law is unfair because it allows clerks to choose whether or not to notify voters about missing information on their ballot envelope, leading to inconsistent treatment across municipalities. LWVWI Executive Director Debra Cronmiller said, “Right now, we have ballots that come in weeks ahead of the election, and they’re being set aside for rejection with no attempt by the clerk to contact the voter.” She argued every voter should have an equal chance to fix ballot errors before rejection.
LWVWI wants a legal requirement that all clerks notify voters and allow them to correct (cure) their ballot in order to reduce the number of rejected ballots.voters about missing information on their ballot envelope. |  | What will you do for the 2027 elections to protect our Democracy?
Consider volunteering with VOTE411. We need:
1. Community volunteers to gather candidate information for our 2027 Spring Voter Guide from your municipal clerk and/or school district.
2. Marketing professionals to research and arrange for advertising VOTE411 to increase its use in the community. This can include print and digital, radio and TV, billboards, and flyers posted throughout the community.
3. Outreach volunteers to contact candidates who haven’t completed the voter guide questions. These volunteers also find League members to contact the candidates in their voting district who haven’t responded to the invitation for the voter guide.
4. League members with strong critical thinking skills to join the Questions Committee to create the questions posed to the candidates.
Please contact Mary Voelker or Beth Lueck at voterguide@lwvmilwaukee.org | |
Volunteers Needed: Voter Education June 20
Volunteers are needed to do voter education/registration at the Lush Cosmetics store in Mayfair Mall, Wauwatosa, June 20, from noon to 4 p.m. Register here. |  |  |  | |
Medicaid/FoodShare Task Force
To accept SNAP (FoodShare in Wisconsin terminology) payments, small food vendors such as corner stores and gas stations, as well as large grocery retailers, must comply with new US Department of Agriculture stocking requirements: maintain at least 7 varieties of dairy; of protein; of grains; of fruits and vegetables. Most large grocery retailers already meet these requirements. But many small vendors do not and likely will not in the future.
Those fighting against food apartheid in Milwaukee, such as the Food Justice Collective, seek a long-term permanent solution: most likely, locally developed, owned, operated, and geographically convenient stores selling a wide variety of nutritious, including locally produced, foods. The answer to food apartheid is not corner stores and gas stations. Yet, until such a solution becomes reality, individuals who rely on SNAP benefits to buy food will experience yet another blow: the inability to obtain at least some items at places like corner stores and gas stations in their neighborhoods.
Join the Medicaid/FoodShare Task Force to help us work on trying to solve these issues! Email l.laarman@lwvmilwaukee.org if interested! |  |
LOCAL CLIMATE ACTION
June 15, 3p.m., Room 301-B City Hall - The City of Milwaukee Zoning Code Technical Committee will consider an ordinance related to the building of data centers larger than 60,000 sq. ft.. Directions in the next Update. See article in May 20 Milw. Journal Sentinel here.
LOCAL CLIMATE NEWS
On May 28, the Milwaukee County Board passed a resolution expressing “concern about We Energies proposed [14%] rate increase and the underlying regulatory framework of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin.” Your LWVMC Climate Action Group advocated for the measure, Amended File 26-419, on your behalf.
SAVE THE DATES
JUNE 20, 9-noon Celebrate Climate Action! Join the 3rd Anniversary Celebration of the Milwaukee City/County Climate & Economic Equity Plan
Place: Urban Ecology Center Washington Park,
Time: 9 - 9:30 breakfast;
9:30 - 10:30 Directors of City and Milwaukee County will present an update on the City and County Climate Plans and answer any questions
10:30 - noon Displays and Demonstrations including give-aways:
*Free flowering native plants * Forestry demonstrations * Home weatherizations rebates * Bike helmet fitting & instructions *art activities.
JULY 18, 10-noon, In-person, Climate Action Group Steering Committee - Planning for 2026-2027 year. Place TBD.
JULY 29, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Turner Hall, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Data Center Town Hall with Gubernatorial Candidates on data centers. A snapshot of how they view state vs. local control, business growth, utility costs, environmental protections, the use of government tax incentives and more. Register here.
REPORTS
- Bill McKibben on Trump’s Climate Rollbacks: “This Is Economic Self-Sabotage” - A sober 18 minute MUST WATCH that illuminates an array of negative effects due to the climate rollbacks.
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If you are looking for a way to become involved in local government, consider joining The League of Women Voters Milwaukee Observer Corps! The National League has published a booklet that describes the work of this group, lwvef_observingyourgovernment.pdf. It says “Protecting our right to know is integral to the health of our democracy. Decisions that determine how our schools will be run, at what level community safety programs will be funded, and how land in our towns will be used impact our lives and are vital to our well-being. These kinds of decisions need to be made with public input and oversight. One important way to ensure that is to observe government meetings.”
Commitment:
- Watch 1 one-hour meeting online per month (or attend in-person)
- Write a report on any significant policy discussions or issues relevant to the League that you observe. Submit to the Observer Corps Chair.
- Attend the Observer Corps monthly meeting (30-60 min)
- Zoom and/or in-person meeting
How is the Observer Corps helping the community and the League?
- Creating a civically engaged and empowered cadre of watchdogs
- Connecting individuals (observers and others with whom their observations are shared) with local government, keeping you in touch
- Promoting open, transparent and accountable government
- Reminding elected/appointed officials of their responsibility to their constituents
- Educating the public about issues impacting their communities and their lives and
- Identifying areas where action or improvement is needed.
|  | LGBTQ+ Fact: Its Not Too Late to Volunteer!
June is Pride Month — a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, honor the history of the movement for equality, and recommit ourselves to protecting civil rights, inclusion, and democracy for all.
VOLUNTEER AT PRIDEFEST — JUNE 4–6
The League of Women Voters Milwaukee County will host a booth at PrideFest at the Summerfest Grounds, and we need volunteers to help:
• Welcome and engage festival attendees
• Share voter education resources
• Promote civic participation
• Highlight the League’s mission and work
SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER HERE; If you have already volunteered, thank you. Please note that some time slots have changed
Volunteer Sign Up
MARCH WITH THE LEAGUE IN THE MILWAUKEE PRIDE PARADE!
Join us as we march together in celebration of inclusion, equality, and democracy for all.
Everyone is welcome to walk with the League of Women Voters Milwaukee County!
PARADE DETAILS
Sunday, June 7, Parade Begins: 2:00 PM, Meet-Up Time: 1:00 PM
Meet-Up Location: 2nd Street & Scott Street
Milwaukee’s Walker’s Point Neighborhood
Bring your energy, your pride, and your commitment to civic participation as we celebrate together!
Parade Sign Up
Pride is a celebration — but it is also a reminder that democracy works best when every voice is heard, every person is respected, and every community is empowered to participate. Registration appreciated, but not required. We will be joining with Planned Parenthood. Their Slot is 11. | To stay informed about legislation affecting the LGBTQ+ community and track advocacy efforts, visit Fair Wisconsin’s Bills to Watch page:
fairwisconsin.com/bills-to-watch
To identify and contact your state legislators and relevant committee members, use MyVote Wisconsin: myvote.wi.gov
Speaking up matters.
LGBTQ+ ... All Letters Matter! | Save the Date: Thursday, June 18 from 6:00 PM till 7:30 PM at Summit Place, Suite 2212 (second floor by elevator)
First Quarterly Speakers Bureau Meeting
Quarterly meetings will support speakers with:
- Learning about new presentations
- Q & A on responding to questions about the League
- Tips for moving on when the participants want to linger on a topic
Registration not required, but appreciated.
Register Here | |
Save the Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026 from 9:00 AM till 12:00 Noon at Summit Place
Interpersonal and speaker training by Dr. Philip Chard
Do you interact with community members at tabling events? Do you belong to the Speakers Bureau and speak with groups? Save the date for this training to build your skills. | History Shows Us that Protests Matter
Why do protests matter?
Visible resistance is essential so the government and its supporters see the number of citizens who don’t agree with their actions. Nonviolent visible protest activity encourages those sitting on the sidelines to join in. Here is the link to the listing of ongoing weekly protests: Protest Rallies | Bridge Demonstration
Saturday, June 13, 10:00-2:00 (Signup for 1 hour or more time slots)
I 94 & Barker Road
Town of Brookfield
We are expecting high traffic flow - more that 12,000 views in 4 hours.
The event depends heavily on the number of sign ups. Please invite your friends to join you.
The registration form will give you an opportunity to vote for our next theme. | No More Corruption Protest
Sunday, June 14 from 1:30 - 3:00
321 Wisconsin Ave. (sidewalk in front of Cutler Park / Library) Waukesha | |
Yell and Stomp at the Lakefront!
Shorewood Resists Event
Sunday, June 14, 11am-Noon
North Lincoln Memorial Drive & East Lafayette Hill Rd.
Flag Day visibility event. Speak up for our First Amendment rights. Line Lincoln Memorial Drive with protest signs, banners, and flags. Bring a sign or use one of ours.
Plenty of free parking at McKinley Marina. |  |  | |
Ways to Give!!!
If you haven’t responded to Peg Schrader’s letter about the League’s Spring Appeal, there is still time. The League needs your support to empower voters and defend democracy by registering voters, engaging elected officials to maintain voting rights, participating in the fight against undemocratic actions by our government, and advocating for the causes we care about.
You can donate to the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County in different ways:
- A cash donation with a check made out to LWVMC. Send this to the:
League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County
6737 West Washington Avenue Suite 2218
West Allis, Wisconsin 53214
- A credit card donation by clicking here.
- A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA.
- A gift from your Donor Advised Fund (DAF).
- A Monthly Donation which can be as low as $10 per month. Join our monthly giving program to support our mission with an amount that fits your budget. Click here.
- A bequest from your estate or as a beneficiary in your will.
|  |  | Is Your Member Profile Up-to-Date?
The Member Portal of our website has resources (including a member directory) just for members. Please login to the website, click Member Resources in the top menu, go to your Member Profile and complete/update your Additional Member Data and Interests (found under Website Functions). Contact roster@lwvmilwaukee.org with questions. Thank you! | So Many 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. | |