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Weekly update 3/14/2024

Maddie M Mason | Published on 3/3/2024

Vote No: ConstitutionalAmendments on April Ballot

Two questions about proposed amendments to the WI Constitution are on the April 2 ballot. Both concern election funding and administration. The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin and other voting rights organizations urge citizens to VOTE NO on both questions.

Question 1:“Use of private funds in election administration. Shall section 7 (1) of article III of the constitution be created to provide that private donations and grants may not be applied for, accepted, expended, or used in connection with the conduct of any primary, election, or referendum?"

Question 2:“Election officials.Shall section 7 (2) of article III of the constitution be created to provide that only election officials designated by law may perform tasks in the conduct of primaries, elections, and referendums?"

In typical fashion, the referenda are worded in a way that may leave voters wondering about the impact of a yes or no vote. The proposed amendments were prompted by the April 2020 election held at the start of the pandemic. The Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL), an organization funded by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan, donated money to help WI municipalities run elections. Grants were awarded to more than 200 municipalities in WI, with the largest cities getting the largest amounts. The CTCL gave more than 2,500 election grants nationwide.The money was used for things like buying scarce PPE, plexiglass barriers, and providing hazard pay for pollworkers, who didn't want to defy the governor's stay-at-home order. It is important to note that donated private money becomes public funds subject to the laws regarding election administration. A lawsuit seeking to prohibit the acceptance of the funds was rejected by the WI Supreme Court and a federal court.

Question 2 is vaguely worded in that it does not define an “election official,” and does not address the people that clerks rely on to help run elections: volunteers, election observers and government bodies such as those that provide security and law enforcement services.

Use thebutton belowto find the Vote No webinar recording, toolkit, slides and other helpful resources! More information fromBallotpedia.

VOTE NO RESOURCES

Celebrate Spring

SAVE THE DATE

Sunday, April 21, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Details to follow

Join the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County for an informative discussion about accessible walks and paddles in the Milwaukee area. LWVMC members, Karen and Jennifer Lemke, authors ofEasy Walks and Paddles in Milwaukee, will share the inside scoop on many accessible trails and waterways in the Milwaukee area, as well as additional information about public restrooms, benches, nearby eateries, environmental issues, fascinating historical tidbits about the people who previously inhabited these spaces, and details about Milwaukee’s social and cultural history.

The Sisters Lemke will be in conversation with LWVMC member Dorothy Dean, founder and executive director of Disability Justice.Easy Walks and Paddles in Milwaukeeprovides important accessibility information for Milwaukee’s beautiful and abundant green spaces so that more people with disabilities, seniors, and families with children can enjoy these easy- access spaces.

LIBRARY OUTREACH TEAM HAS A BUSY WEEK!

Our Library Outreach Team had a very successful and busy week with events at Villard Branch, Washington Park, Whitefish Bay, (Young Voters Registration Event) and the East Branch Libraries. Pictured above is the event at the East Branch, and staffing the table is Julie Ristow and Mary Devitt.

In recent weeks we have had registration tables at the Mitchell Street, Zablocki and Bay View Libraries. In addition, our library volunteers reached out to each Library in the county and delivered posters and literature for distribution.

The libraries are an important part of the community. We feel it is a perfect place to reach the people in their neighborhoods and provide them with an opportunity to register to vote and to receive information about upcoming elections.

If you love libraries and are interested in becoming a member of this team contactLinda Brundageatl.brundage@lwvmilwaukee.orgorHeather Leskoath.lesko@lwvmilwaukee.organd learn more about how you can help.

VOTE411 April 2024 Voter Guide

Our Spring2024AprilElection Voter Guide is now available online at Vote411.org. In addition to information about candidates for office in Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties, the VOTE411.org voter guide also features information about the state race for Appellate Court Judge District 1. There are also two statewide referenda on proposed state constitutional amendments concerning election funding and administration,as well as referenda up for voter approval in five area school districts: Greendale, Milwaukee, South Milwaukee, Hamilton, and Pewaukee.

- What's On Your Ballot?Go toVOTE411.org, enter your address, see what election-related information you can access, see what races are on your personal ballot, and compare candidate answers.

As a voter and possible constituent, thank candidates who have responded and encourage any who haven’t to do so. It is not too late for them to be included.

- Promote VOTE411.org.You canvolunteer to encourage participation by signing up to write emails about VOTE411.org to friends, neighbors, relatives, and colleagues who live in Milwaukee and Waukesha County. You canSIGN UP HEREwhere a sample script is available.

Click on any of the events saying “Campaign to Encourage VOTE411 Participation.” You can write the emails any day before the Spring Election.

The League’s goal is to provide voters with the information they need to vote confidently on April 2.

Wisconsin Updates on Abortion and Reproductive Health Care

LWVMC’s Reproductive Rights Committee was formed in the summer of 2023 to address concerns about access to reproductive health care, including abortion, in Wisconsin. The committee’s goals are to follow legislation and court actions in Wisconsin and around the country, to provide educational forums focused on abortion and reproductive health, and to collaborate with other organizations and demographics with like interests.

The most recent development is an original action filed by Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin (PPWI) on February 22 asking the Wisconsin Supreme Court to protect the right to access and provide abortion in Wisconsin. At the core of the petition is Article 1, Section 1 of the Declaration of Rights in the Wisconsin State Constitution, which reads: “All people are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights; among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

PPWI believes included in these inherent rights are bodily autonomy and integrity and the right to self-determination. The Reproductive Rights Committee supports PPWI’s action to ensure reproductive freedom for the citizens of Wisconsin.

LWV Yard Signs and Bumper Magnets Available!

We are offering yard signs again this year. We have two kinds of signs:

- Vote From Home
- VOTE/VOTA (Vote on one side and Vota on the other)

Yard signs (18" x 24") are available on a first come first served basis. We also have metal stands.

Bumper magnets pictured below. If you'd like any of these items,

please completeTHIS FORM.We will contact you.

LAST CHANCE - SIGN UP NOW!

Prepare yourself to help people register to vote!Learn how to register people to vote usingMyVote.wi.gov. Learn what is acceptable photo ID for voting in Wisconsin and how to acquire it.Registration required.

March 18 Monday | 5:30pm - 7:00pm

Milwaukee Zen Center

2825 N Stowell Ave, Milwaukee

Questions regarding this announcement? Please emaile.aelion@lwvmilwaukee.org

Fund Development Committee

The Fund Development Committee met on Monday, March 4, 2024. The Committee’s work to sustain the League by identifying and cultivating new donor prospects, retaining current donors and increasing donations is critical to be able to extend and intensify our reach to empower voters and defend democracy.

To continue the Coffee for our Cause fundraiser, a new leader is required. The project timeframe is from July through November. Please contact Mary Sussman to express interest or get additional information atsusscommunications@att.net.

CLICK HERE for the minutes of the meeting

Please read the minutes and consider how you might help. There are also additional ideas for work we would like to accomplish in the 2023-2025 Fund Development Plan completed last September.Here is the link to this Google document.

Do you have an idea for a new fundraiser? A new way to reach out and identify donor prospects? If you are interested in helping sustain the League especially with increased outreach to non-members, please contact Mary Voelker atm.voelker@lwvmilwaukee.orgor by phone at 414-259-1788.

Friday March 22 |10:00 a.m. to Noon

Community Room at the East Branch Library

Our March meeting is a general discussion meetingand a chance to continue talking about "Milked," (our February Book Club choice) and any other topics of interest to the group! Hope to see you there!

Warmest Regards from, Marie Garnhart, Pat McFarland, Mary Ellen Spicuzza

Volunteer to Help

with High School

Voter Registration

We are looking for volunteers to help us register and welcome high school students as new voters. Join us and work alongside student helpers to facilitate student voter registration and distribution of voter information.

Volunteer sign-up for high school registrations differs from volunteer sign-ups for other events. All high school volunteers are required to take the online high school training(Voter Registration in Milwaukee and Waukesha Area High Schools2.pdf). At the end of the training, there is a place to join our call list. Once on the call list, you will receive notices about upcoming registrations and how to sign up for them.

If you have taken the high school training, watch for emails about new registration events. Questions? Contact Judy Winn (j.winn@lwvmilwaukee.org

Election Observers Needed on April 2

The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin (LWVWI) is recruiting volunteers across the state to observe the Spring Election on April 2. Election observers help ensure a fair election by watching for signs of voter disenfranchisement and intimidation, and by monitoring the way Wisconsin's election laws and procedures are being applied. Even if you only have a couple hours to spare on Election Day, you can still sign up to be an election observer.Learn more and sign up to volunteertoday!
Volunteers will receive online training, a reporting form, a polling place assignment with flexible shifts, and an Election Day hotline number for questions or for reporting a problem. Questions? Contact LWVWI Voter Education Manager Eileen Newcomer atenewcomer@lwvwi.orgor at (608)256-0827. Please share this opportunity with anyone who might be willing to be part of this vital program.

MPTV’s Black Nouveau honors Milwaukee artist Della Wells and salutes Souls to the Polls

Thursday, March 14, 7:30 PM, CH 10.1

In honor of Women’s History Month, Black Nouveau is shining a spotlight on artist Della Wells. Wells' work provides inspiration and motivation to women and stands as a testament to their creativity and resilience. Additionally, in anticipation of the approaching spring primary, Black Nouveau will highlight the pivotal role of Souls to the Polls in mobilizing voters and encouraging civic participation.

WATCH HERE

America’s Black Holocaust Museum’s virtual book club to discussThe Water Dancer

Via Zoom, March 22, 2024, 6:00 p.m.

In this gripping tale by Ta-Nehisi Coates, the protagonist Hiram Walker, who was born into slavery, discovers a mysterious power after a near-death experience. Determined to escape bondage and liberate his family, he navigates the covert battlegrounds of slavery, fueled by love and resilience, in a poignant story of defiance and courage.

REGISTER HERE

Wisconsin: America’s Most Enduring Political Battleground

Sunday, March 31, 2024 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am

In-Person: Max Otto Hall

First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee

1342 N. Astor Street, Milwaukee

Online: Also available on theYouTube channel

Craig Gilbert, former Journal Sentinel’s Washington Bureau Chief and fellow at Marquette Law School’s Lubar Center, will discuss why Wisconsin is once more at the epicenter of presidential politics, how has it remained a 50/50 battleground despite big regional shifts, and how the balance of power here changed in the Trump Era. He’ll also discuss the critical role that the shifting partisan landscape of metro Milwaukee will play in this year’s presidential campaign. Host: Jerry Fredrickson. Free and open to the public.

Visit our Web Site

Accessing Member-Only Website Portal

TheLWVMC websitehas information and resources that are available only to LWVMC members. To access the membership directory or members-only resourcesand volunteer opportunities, log in byfollowing these instructions. Contact Mary Ellen Spicuzza atme.spicuzza@lwvmilwaukee.orgwith any questions.

Support Local Democracy. Support Your League.

Your support is critical to help our nonpartisan grassroots organization reach voters play a critical role in democracy. It would not be possible to empower voters and defend democracy without your support.

Donate Here

Thank you! LWVMC

Volunteer Here

Join

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