• President's Message
  
• 2026 Annual Meeting Review
• Voter Services Review
  
• VOTE411: Local Issues Survey & Volunteers Wanted
  
• VOTE411: Community Volunteer of the Year Announced
  
• LGBTQ+ Committee Celebrates PRIDE!
  
• Tracking Reproductive Rights Legislation
• "Walk & Talk" Series Popularity Growing
  
• Unite & Rise 8.5 Updates
  
• Fund Development
• Speakers Bureau Celebrates Six Months
  
• Upcoming Events (currently scheduled through the next Voter) 

Over the past quarter, our League has demonstrated both the strength of our mission and the urgency of our work. Our recent annual meeting brought together approximately 100 members and community partners, reflecting a strong and growing commitment to empowering voters and defending democracy in Milwaukee County. We were especially fortunate to hear from Attorney T.R. Edwards of Law Forward, who outlined the significant risks facing our upcoming elections and reinforced the critical role we must play in protecting electoral integrity.

That urgency is underscored by recent national developments. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais, striking down a congressional map that created a second majority-Black district, represents a troubling step backward. By limiting the tools used to ensure fair representation, the ruling raises serious concerns about equitable political representation, particularly for historically marginalized communities.

At the state level, Wisconsin voters will face three proposed constitutional amendments on the November ballot, including the so-called “Equality Amendment.” Despite its name, this measure could significantly undermine efforts to address inequities by restricting programs designed to level the playing field based on race and gender. In partnership with the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, we are actively working to educate voters about the potential consequences of this amendment and the broader implications for equity and opportunity.

In response to these challenges, we are expanding our outreach as we prepare for the upcoming midterm elections. Our efforts include increased social media engagement, more in-person programming, and stronger community partnerships. Our newly formed Speakers Bureau has already completed 20 events in its first six months, reaching more than 500 individuals with critical voter education.

Our Observer Corps continues to play a vital role in promoting transparency and accountability, with trained volunteers regularly monitoring meetings of local government bodies.

What makes all of this possible is the extraordinary dedication of our volunteers. Because of their commitment, we remain one of the most effective and efficient organizations in voter education and advocacy. With relatively modest resources, we can reach thousands of individuals, making a meaningful impact on our community and strengthening the foundations of our democracy.

The challenges ahead are significant—but so is our resolve.

In League,

Peg Schrader, President

Anyone who attended this year’s Milwaukee County League of Women Voters’ June 6 annual meeting experienced an amazing gathering space, the hum of enthusiastic voices, an exceptional lunch, the silent auction’s wonders, and rousing speaker, Attorney TR Edwards.

But more important was hearing report after report citing compelling evidence of the league’s 2025-26 accomplishments - proving how members worked tirelessly and effectively to empower voters and defend democracy in a myriad of areas, all while creating actionable plans to move the work forward in the coming year and future.

You could summarize the meeting as “Job well done!” but the leaders would probably respond, “In these urgent times, we are just getting started!”

The theme of the meeting, held at 41 Fork Exchange at Wantable Café, was “Unite and Rise,” underscoring the rallying cry that we stand together to take action against injustice. More than 90 members attended.

Challenges and Strategies for Mid-Terms

Edwards, staff counsel at Law Forward, spoke about the current threats and strategies in the administration of elections in Wisconsin. “I can’t say how important this moment is. We are facing unprecedented challenges in regard to the rule of law,” he said.

The threat of the possible passage of portions of the SAVE Act, which would require federal statutory identification and proof of citizenship to vote, and eliminate mail-in ballots, would “take us back to 1789” when prohibitions to vote were based on wealth, gender, race, and alienage, he said.

Also currently threatening our right to vote, said Edwards, are citizenship verification and intimidation of election officials or voters at the polls. These could include interference by militia, federal groups (such as ICE or the FBI) or local law enforcement who might sabotage the election process by selective interpretation of election laws or even seizure of voting machines or ballots.

Then there is the possibility of political violence against voters, officials or election outcomes, and, of course, election denialism and gerrymandering.

Strategies to counter these threats involve constant vigilance in pursuing legal rulings in court cases brought against offenders who would limit voting rights. Edwards stressed the importance of observers at all levels of the election process, an ongoing initiative of the league.

“What should we do before the midterms?” Edwards asked. “Learn, teach and organize!”

Membership and Revenues Up

Peg Schrader, in her President’s report, said three goals for last year were to increase and engage members, ensure the membership reflects the broader Milwaukee community, and to stabilize and grow the league’s financial foundation.

During the year, membership grew from 393 to 471; the league formed new partnerships with community-based organizations to reach out to underrepresented groups, and, with an increase in grant support, finances are “strong and getting stronger,” said Schrader.

A budget of $153,500 for 2026 – 2027 was approved, showing 34 percent growth with three new funding partners: the Zilber Family Foundation, Forever Friends, and the Dorothy Inbusch Foundation. “People are coming to us and giving us money because they are very concerned about the current situation and the mid-terms,” said Dave Schrader, treasurer and chair of the Finance Committee.

New initiatives for 2026 include a Speakers Bureau under Unite & Rise 8.5, plans for a Voting Rights Committee under Advocacy, and expansion of Voter Services into local DMVs, and exploration of creating a voting program at senior centers in cooperation with AARP.

Reports reflected all the areas served by the league – Membership, DEI, Communications, Advocacy,(with teams on Reproductive Rights, Immigration, Mass Incarceration, LGBTQ+, Climate Action, Natural Resources, Learning/Discussion forums), Voter Services (with teams for High Schools, Comité, Libraries, Higher Education, Community Outreach, Jail-based, and Naturalization), and Unite & Rise 8.5 (with teams for Protest, Political and Civic Affairs, Marketing and Social Media teams, Observer Corps, Medicaid Food Share Task Force, and Religious Leadership Committee teams).

Each area had a story to tell. Too many accomplishments to mention, but examples give a glimpse into the work being accomplished.

•  Reproductive Rights - piloted its ReproWarrior booth at festivals and farmers’ markets.

• Voter services - educated and helped register thousands of members of the community, holding a combined 168 events.

•  Immigration – provided immigrant rights information and protective signage to 79 Latino businesses.

• Climate Action – presented programs covering the issues and dangers of mega-sized data centers in the state.

• DEI - participated in local and state observances of the 1964 Voting Rights Act, Voces de la Frontera gathering and the Red Shawl Gala at Potawatomi Casino.

• Mass incarceration - helped successfully push Milwaukee law enforcement to issue moratoriums of facial recognition technology.

•  Protest and the Political and Civic Affairs teams - partnered on LWVMC’S representation at No Kings III (see Unite & Rise article below).

With all this- and more - what about the non-partisan identifying characteristic of the league?

Gail Sklodowska, second vice president for Advocacy, gave members their elevator answer for this question: “Although the League is nonpartisan, it is a political organization. It has clearly defined policy positions,adopted at the national and state levels. Issue advocacy is integral to the League’s mission and a way for people to ‘do something’ with observable impact between elections.”

Silent Auction
By: Lorna Grade

During the spring 2026 elections our voter services teams held 90 separate registration and education events. Our League was represented in high schools, libraries, universities, correctional facilities, naturalization ceremonies and community outreach events on both the south and north side of town. When the dust settled, we had reached hundreds of people in our community and done an amazing job in our work of empowering voters, which is key to defending democracy. Thanks to the leaders and volunteers who made these efforts possible.

This fall we plan to hold even more events, easily ending the year by doubling the spring voter engagement numbers.

One major focus this fall will be protecting the vote from outside interference. We will urge League members to be trained as election observers, where they will be the eyes and ears of democracy at polling sites – an early warning system of any disruption. The Comite´ team will be initiating a critically important program to recruit and train bilingual election observers for the south side of Milwaukee polling sites.

New Partnerships

The great activism of our League coupled with the ongoing threats to our democracy have led to valuable new partnerships. Over the last few months we have developed strong connections with the American Association of University Women-Southwestern Milwaukee chapter. The connections with AAUW/SWM led to a first time event with MSOE. Eloisa Gomez’s connections with Mount Mary University resulted in a very successful day of vote registration plus a presentation about the importance of the spring Supreme Court race developed by our new Speaker’s Bureau. The new AAAUW/SWM members were enthusiastic volunteers for both the MSOE and MMU events.

Meetings also took place with leaders of the Delta Sigma Theta (DST) sorority who have a keen interest in partnering with our high school teams in addition to Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA).  A new relationship is also being explored between LWVMC and the local chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women, who are interested in working together on voter registration and education. These organizations have joined in partnership with LWVUS but, more importantly, find value in working together with our League at a local level. It is times like these, with democracy on the line, that remind us that we are stronger together.

Volunteers Needed

 The fall 2026 elections are pivotal for both our state and the nation. I encourage every LWVMC member to choose at least one voter services team, from high schools to colleges to the DMV offices, and become part of this crucial work of helping citizens become registered, educated voters. This is What Democracy Looks Like!

Stacy Mueller has been chosen to be the first Community Volunteer of the Year by the VOTE411 committee.  An active member of the Milwaukee League of Women Voters since 2023, she covers three Milwaukee school boards and two Waukesha municipalities as a community volunteer.  To do this, she contacts the clerks of these boards and municipalities to get information about the offices on the ballot for the upcoming election, candidate names, and contact information about the candidates, a job that sometimes requires repeated calls and emails.  These are essential tasks that help us prepare accurate information to contact individual candidates with the list of questions so voters can learn more about what each candidate stands for and decide whom to vote for.  Success at this volunteer work requires persistence and organization.

 Volunteering for the League of Women Voters’ VOTE411 isn’t the only election work Stacy does.  In addition to participating in high school voter registration events, she’s an election inspector for the City of Wauwatosa and was an Assistant Poll Chief for the April election.

 Congratulations, Stacy, on being Community Volunteer of the Year!

Over the decades, Milwaukee PrideFest has grown into one of the nation's largest LGBTQ+ festivals, celebrating inclusion, equality, and community while attracting thousands of attendees each year.

LWVMC had a lively and colorful presence at Milwaukee PrideFest this year. Throughout the weekend, volunteers welcomed throngs of visitors to the League's booth, providing voter information, answering questions about the League, and engaging attendees in conversations about civic participation. Attendees participated in a straw poll to identify top issues of concern: health care, youth support and mental health.

 LGBTQ+ … All Letters Matter!

• Provide an organic, accessible, welcoming environment where League members and the public can “touch the grass”, rebalance mental and physical stressors, with the hope of attracting new League members to join/volunteer as engaged citizens.
• Create free, all ages & abilities outdoor opportunities to explore Wisconsin Parks and Nature Preserves—places where League members can decompress, breathe deeply, practice self-care, get to know each other personally, learn about flora/fauna, and discuss insights from Wisconsin nature writers, e.g. Aldo Leopold.

• The Racine Historical Museum Grounds
• Firefly Grove Park
• Lakefront Harbor
• And much more!

Lemke Sisters Featured in MKE Lifestyle Magazine

By: Charlie Gaebler-Uhing, M.D., co-chair, LWVMC Reproductive Rights Committee

The Fund Development Committee is very pleased to announce two major gifts from new foundations/Giving Funds.

The Zilber Family Foundation has awarded the League $20,000 from their Sector Support program to support the League of Women Voters in its capacity to encourage informed and active participation in government and to promote neighborhood economic social mobility through just governance. Funding will build our communications, data, and partnership capabilities so we can encourage nonpartisan voter participation, influence public attitudes and behaviors around voting, and support positive social change.

The Joel and Sara Kremer Giving Fund also sent the League a $20,000 gift, which will be used to support programming with the upcoming election season.

We also want to thank our stalwart supporters: Greater Milwaukee Foundation; Wisconsin Civic Power Table; Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee; Dorothy Inbusch Foundation; and the League of Women Voters Education Fund. Their financial support helps to fund the League office, administrative support, along with supplies, training and organization.

Special thanks to all members of the Fund Development and the Grant Writing Committees, with extra flowers for Peg Schrader, Linda Laarman, Mary Voelker, Mary Rode and Lani Williams.

Of course, we are grateful to our members, who continue to support our League financially, and also through the thousands of hours of volunteering.  We would not be able to do this without you.

Thank you to everyone who has given presentations for the Speakers Bureau! We celebrate having presented 22 presentations since the Speaker Bureau started and 20 presentations from January through May, 2026. The number of participants for the in-person presentations was over 470 in addition to 75 participants at two virtual presentations.

Here is the current list of available presentations:

• All About Voting

• Introduction to Voting for New Voters

• Introduction to the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County

• The League of Women Voters History and Mission

• The History of Voting Rights

• Unite and Rise:  Defending Democracy 

• National Popular Vote

• Most Dangerous Women (video)

Reach out to Heather Godley with questions about being a speaker, Johanna Jimenez about available presentations, and Theresa Bellone or Mary Voelker with questions about the SB or making a presentation.  (all available at speakersbureau@lwvmilwaukee.org)