Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Giving Thanks for the People of Wisconsin Who Fight For the Preservation of Democracy

For release: Tuesday - November 26, 2024



Image: Thanksgiving feast


I have had the privilege of directing Common Cause Wisconsin (CC/WI) since 1996 and have been fortunate to be able to endure through good times and bad over the years. Voting rights, fair state legislative and congressional voting maps, campaign finance reform, ethical state government, fair courts and holding those in power accountable to the people has been our constant and steady mission for decades and your support has kept us not only relevant, but also effective, outspoken and proactive.


It almost goes without saying that for about half of us, the results by and large of the November 5th election for the nation are very concerning and troubling. Donald Trump has consistently tried to undermine democracy both while he was President and during the last four years -- denying and denigrating the completely legitimate and fairly run 2020 election and then encouraging the insurrection and violence that occurred on January 6, 2021 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. He should have been disqualified from running for office this year but instead, he is now the President-elect. Common Cause Wisconsin will continue to stand up to any and every attempt by Trump, his incoming administration and his proxies in Wisconsin to subvert democracy and undermine the constitutional freedoms that have thus far survived since the inception of the nation in 1789 and of our state in 1848, through cataclysmic events such the Civil War, the Great Depression and now, the return of Trumpism.


But not is all doom and gloom in the nation or, particularly in Wisconsin. Thanks to the sustained and diligent work of a dedicated and increasingly large cadre of concerned people, like you, Wisconsin has fair voting maps for state legislative districts. Gov. Tony Evers, with our strong support, signed into law on February 19th new voting maps effective for the 2024 elections which essentially ended 13 years of one of the most unfair, partisan gerrymanders of state legislative maps in the nation. And on November 5th those new maps produced results that are much more in line with the truly competitive, evenly divided “purple” state that we really are. Election results with the new voting maps produced a gain of 4 Democratic seats in the State Senate, where Republicans now hold a much narrower 18 to 15 majority. In the State Assembly, Democrats gained 10 seats and the Republican majority has been reduced to 54 to 45. We worked non-stop for more than 13 years for fair voting maps and finally Wisconsin has them. Now we must fight to keep and improve them.


Voter participation turnout was high and robust around Wisconsin this year, although slightly below 2020’s record level. And the November 5th election was largely free from any problems or major “glitches.” Issues with unsecured absentee ballot tabulating machines in Milwaukee were discovered and remedied without incident and 30,000 ballots were re-tabulated with all sides in agreement about the procedure to address and fix the error.


CC/WI continued its vigilance against voter suppression and election denialism in 2024. In May we signed on to an amicus brief in a lawsuit to reverse a misguided 2022 conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court decision to ban secure ballot drop boxes which enabled voters to return absentee ballots in time to be counted and to have their voices heard. This benefits every voter in Wisconsin, and on July 5th the Court reversed the terrible 2022 decision and ballot drop boxes were restored for 2024 and beyond -- a significant victory for voting rights. In the final months before November 5th hundreds of volunteers were recruited to protect voters and voting at the polls.


And now we are turning our attention and efforts to the pivotal Wisconsin Supreme Court election this coming April which will determine its control and direction and the future of fair voting maps, voting rights and so much more. The eyes of the nation will yet again turn to Wisconsin for that titanic election contest and all of us must step up and engage to ensure that voters are informed and that their votes will be counted. Because so much is at stake.


All of this significant effort and good work is possible because of you. We will continue to stand up for each other and democracy in this state, with your support. Without you, we would not have a strong voice. With you we do. I am deeply grateful to you. Please do not despair. We will continue to work diligently for the survival of democracy and we will prevail. Thank you again. And Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.


On Wisconsin and Forward!

Jay Heck

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Jay Heck
608/512-9363 (cell)

Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703

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Monday, November 4, 2024

Tuesday, November 5th is Election Day! What You Need to Know to Have Your Vote Count and to Make Your Voice Heard!

For release: Monday - November 4, 2024


Image: Freedom to Vote

Polls in Wisconsin are Open 

From 7 AM to 8 PM


The most anticipated and consequential national election in our lifetime is now finally upon us and the eyes of the nation are on Wisconsin – one of the most closely contested battleground states in the nation. Here is some important guidance to assist you so that your vote and voice are included in these critical state and national decisions.

If you haven't yet cast your vote via absentee ballot, then you must prepare now for how you will vote in-person at your polling place tomorrow.


Mail-in Absentee Ballot Return

IF you still have an absentee ballot that was mailed to you and you have not returned it yet, be sure to personally hand return your completed ballot TODAY. Absolutely Do NOT mail it! All ballots need to be received no later than 8:00 PM tomorrow (Tuesday) on Election Day. Your clerk and myvote.wi.gov will have information about where you can take your ballot.

Don't forget: The ballot envelope needs a witness signature and the complete address of the witness, filled out by the witness.

REMINDER: Voters with a disability who need assistance may have someone return their absentee ballot.

You can track your ballot through the official ballot tracker on MyVote. Don't see that your ballot was received? Contact your clerk for further information.


In-Person Voting at your Polling Location on Election Day

If you are planning to vote in person at the polls, read the information below so you are prepared when you show up to vote at your polling location. Polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, November 5th.

Polling Location

Polling places can change from election to election. To find out where to go to cast your ballot, visit the Find My Polling Place page on the MyVote Wisconsin website and type in your address.

Registration

You can register to vote on Election Day at your polling location. Being registered to vote means being registered at your current address. You need to have lived at your current address for at least 28 days prior to Election Day in order to register to vote in that election district or ward. You'll need to bring a proof of residence document to complete your registration (this document can be shown electronically - like on your phone or tablet).

Photo ID

You are required to show a specified form of photo ID before you vote. If you have a Wisconsin driver's license or a Wisconsin Department of Transportation-issued ID card, then you’re all set. Selected other forms of ID work too, and it’s very important to check the official list of acceptable IDs at Bring It to The Ballot to make sure you have what you need.

What if you don't have an acceptable ID to vote tomorrow? You can ask for AND vote with a provisional ballot. But, for your ballot to be counted, you MUST either come back to your polling place with an acceptable form of ID before it closes at 8:00 PM on Election Day OR bring your ID to your municipal clerk's office by 4:00 PM the Friday after the election (Friday, November 8th). If you don't have an acceptable ID for voting and need help getting one, call or text the VoteRiders helpline 866-ID-2-VOTE for assistance.

Need a ride to the polls

Our friends with the WI Disability Vote Coalition have compiled information about how you can secure a ride to go vote on Election Day (November 5). Most services are free, and include accessible transportation options as well. Some require you to schedule the ride in advance. You can find this useful resource on the Disability Vote Coalition's website.


Your Ballot

You will find federal and state election contests on your ballot. This will include the United States President, U.S. Senator, U.S. House of Representatives, Wisconsin State Legislative offices, and others. (Find out what is on your ballot at MyVote). These offices and the people who serve in these roles have a direct impact on your life.

Get to know who wants to represent you and which candidate best represents your values before you vote. Find candidate and ballot information from the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin at Vote411.

There is a Statewide Constitutional Amendment Referenda on your ballot: There is one statewide referendum question on the ballot on November 5th. Common Cause urges voters to resoundingly reject the amendment with a ‘NO’ vote. This release from Common Cause Wisconsin explains why this constitutional amendment should be defeated.


College Students voting in Wisconsin

Are you a college student voting in Wisconsin? Or do you know a student who wants to vote in Wisconsin? Here is important information from the Common Cause Wisconsin website to share: Three Things College Students Need to Do To Vote in Wisconsin


Have questions or need some assistance? Help is just a call, text, or email away.

If you experience problems at the polls or have questions, there is help readily available to you. Call or text Election Protection at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) for assistance and support from nonpartisan election protection volunteers with any questions you have or to report any problems.

Voters with disabilities have the right to have ready access to any polling place. This includes the right to use an accessible voting machine, getting assistance marking and returning an absentee ballot, and voting curbside at a polling location. Call the Disability Rights Wisconsin Voter Hotline for assistance: 1-844-347-8683. Or email: info@disabilityvote.org. Additional online resources are also at the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition website.

Call or text the WI Voter Helpline at 608-285-2141 and you will be connected to a nonpartisan person who can help answer all your questions. You can also request services such as getting assistance at the DMV to get an ID to vote or having someone witness your absentee ballot.


Please vote tomorrow (or that you have voted earlier) so that your voice will be heard, and your vote will be counted! Encourage anyone and everyone you know who is eligible to vote in Wisconsin to do so. That includes citizens who reside in Wisconsin (for at least 28 days). Urge them to register to vote at their polling place tomorrow (and to bring documented proof of residency and one of the required forms of photo ID).

Remember, to count every vote takes time. Be patient about results. And know all returns are unofficial until the canvass and certification of the votes.


Every single vote does and will matter and could determine the direction our state, and the nation will go in the months, years and decades ahead. Our lives and our future are at stake, and your vote will determine the outcome.


On Wisconsin! Forward! Vote!

Jay Heck

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Thursday, October 31, 2024

Final List of Candidates for the Wisconsin State Senate and Assembly Who Support Nonpartisan Redistricting Reform and Ending Partisan Gerrymandering

For release: Thursday - October 31, 2024

Image: Wisconsin Deserves Fair Maps Beyond 2024!

Candidates Must Be Proactive to Inform CCWI and Voters of their Position on This Issue – Are the candidates in your area on this list?

In July, Common Cause in Wisconsin (CC/WI) e-mailed every registered Republican, Democratic and Independent candidate for the Wisconsin State Senate and Assembly, inviting them to proactively contact us to inform us of their support for nonpartisan redistricting reform and if they wished to have their names listed publicly on our website.

Following the e-mail message to candidates, CC/WI sent this release to inform the public of this initiative. In it, CC/WI invited citizens to contact state legislative candidates in their area to urge their support for ending partisan gerrymandering and to contact CC/WI to have their names listed publicly in support of nonpartisan redistricting reform and specifically this pledge:

I support passing legislation during the 2025 legislative session and enacting into law the requirement that Wisconsin adopt an independent nonpartisan redistricting process to ensure that no political party can create state legislative or congressional voting districts to favor their own political party nor be able to gerrymander Wisconsin’s voting maps in the future.

After the August Primary Election, CC/WI issued this follow-up release once again inviting state legislative candidates to inform us and the public of their support for non-partisan redistricting reform. Today’s release is the third and final invitation to candidates to express public support for the redistricting reform pledge and legislation in 2025 for Wisconsin.

As of today, CC/WI has been contacted by 13 Wisconsin state legislative candidates for the State Senate and 70 candidates for the Assembly. Here is the complete, up-to-date listing of those supportive candidates that have proactively contacted CC/WI to have their names listed.

As we have done during every state legislative election year since 2014, CC/WI wants to make it simple and easy for Wisconsin voters and media to be able to see which state legislative candidates support non-partisan redistricting reform by providing a continually updated list of those candidates on our website.

Any statewide or state legislative candidate (or their authorized proxy) who supports the nonpartisan redistricting pledge and would like to see their name listed on our site should contact CC/WI by phone at (608) 512-9363 (leave a message), or by email. Citizens can and should urge candidates to support non-partisan redistricting reform and request that they get their names on this list. The list will continue to be updated until Election Day, November 5th.

Candidates must be proactive to have their names appear on this site! Even incumbent legislators running for re-election who supported nonpartisan redistricting reform legislation during the last legislative session and previously must contact us to be on the list. Why? Because it demonstrates that they are paying attention and continue to support this reform issue. And, because it’s important for candidates for public office to take the initiative to inform voters about where they stand on important issues like ending partisan gerrymandering in Wisconsin.

Redistricting reform in Wisconsin is critical and necessary if we are ever to return to having a functional, less politically polarized state legislature that is responsive to the citizens of this state rather than to political bosses interested primarily in holding onto power. There is no question that an overwhelming majority of Wisconsinites want and support non-partisan redistricting reform. Now, we will find out which legislative candidates of all political parties are willing to stand up and pledge support for it and for the voters of our state by November 5th and beyond.

Forward!

Jay Heck, Executive Director

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Jay Heck
608/512-9363 (cell)

Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703

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Tuesday, October 29, 2024

College and University Student Voters Will be Pivotal in Battleground Wisconsin Election

For release: Tuesday - October 29, 2024


Image: Students Voting at polling place / iStock photo: Evgeniy Shkolenko

Important Information Students Need to be Able to Vote in Wisconsin! 

With just days to go before the most consequential election in recent years, Wisconsin is once again ground zero in the battle for the Presidency, for control of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, for the Wisconsin Legislature and for many important local election contests, referendums and an important state constitutional ballot question.

A critical element in Wisconsin elections this year will be the degree and extent that the many college and university student voters at public and private institutions, technical and community colleges turn out and make their voices known.

As this recent, excellent segment by Wisconsin Public Television’s Here and Now program demonstrates, Wisconsin’s youth vote will shape the 2024 election.

There are some challenges that student voters must confront this year including being sure not to be intimidated or misled by election disinformation from those seeking to discourage them from participating in this election.

With so much at stake on November 5th, we want to be sure students know what they need and what Wisconsin law requires, in order for them to be able to make important choices on the ballot that will do so much to determine our lives and future. Remember, if you’re in line to vote by 8:00PM on Election Day, stay in line and vote your ballot.

First, students will find straightforward information from Common Cause Wisconsin on how to register to vote, find your polling place, and which photo IDs are eligible to cast a ballot in Wisconsin.

Three Things College Students Need to Do To Vote in Wisconsin

Additionally, Common Cause Wisconsin and Campus Vote Project has created an easy reference for students to look up their institution across the state to see if their current student ID is an acceptable form of ID for voting. Many public and private institutions’ initially issued school ID is not compliant with Wisconsin’s voting laws. It’s very important to find out now if your college or university-issued ID is acceptable for voting. If the student ID cannot be used for voting, students can find out if a separate school-issued photo ID card for voting is available and where to get one. So, if you don't have a WI driver license or one of the other acceptable IDs, know your options and look up your school today!

Note: you can use a school-issued ID for voting that is expired. If you do present an expired student ID, you must also present (or display electronically) at the polls, a separate, current proof of enrollment document, such as an enrollment verification form, class schedule or tuition bill. If your student ID is unexpired, then you do NOT need to present proof of current enrollment. It is important for students to find out and know now whether or not the photo ID issued by their public or private college or university in Wisconsin can be used when voting.

If you were previously registered to vote in Wisconsin, you can check your registration through the official Wisconsin Elections Commission portal: MyVote.wi.gov. If you are not registered at your current address, you can register when you go to vote - during early in-person absentee voting (going on NOW!) and on November 5th - Election Day. You will need a proof of residence document which you can provide electronically on your device or with a paper copy. What’s a valid proof of residence document? You can find examples here.

A couple of other things. You can vote early with an in person absentee ballot in most places in Wisconsin through this coming Friday, November 1st and over the weekend in some communities. Go to MyVote.wi.gov to find out where you can vote early in person or the location of your polling place if you plan to vote on November 5th – Election Day. And if you have any problems or questions, text or call 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).

Additionally, if you have in your possession an absentee ballot and have not yet mailed it to your local election clerk’s office, DO NOT PUT IT IN the US MAIL NOW as it will not arrive at the clerk’s office in time to be counted. Instead, return your absentee ballot to your local election clerk’s office in person or, if there is one available for use in your community, deposit your completed and witnessed absentee ballot in a secure ballot drop box. Again, go to MyVote.wi.gov to find out where your election clerk’s office is located or if a ballot drop box is available for use in your community.

Please share this information widely with anyone you know who is attending a college, university, community or technical school in Wisconsin!

Students: Make voting in Wisconsin a priority and an important part of your college or university experience. Prepare now, so your voter experience is smooth and without hassle when you cast your ballot in this November’s election and beyond.

One last thing. Your vote, especially in Wisconsin really matters and every vote really does make a difference. Four of the six elections for President of the United States since the year 2000 have been decided in Wisconsin by less than one percent of the vote! That means as few as about 6,000 votes have separated the winner from the loser in our state. So that means your voice does get heard and your vote really does count and will matter. Therefore, make voting a priority on November 5th and to make it easier on yourself, prepare to vote now!

Forward and On Wisconsin!

Jay Heck


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Jay Heck
608/512-9363 (cell)

Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703

Read More...