December 6, 2022 - Matt DeFour, Wisconsin Watch
Saturday, December 31, 2022
In The News - December 2022
December 6, 2022 - Matt DeFour, Wisconsin Watch
Monday, December 5, 2022
The November 8th Election was Significant and Important…
For release: Monday - December 5, 2022
But Now is Not the Time to Disengage from Wisconsin Politics
The “mid-term” elections in Wisconsin last month have been all but finalized and, apart from the extreme hyper partisan gerrymandering of state legislative districts, the results demonstrated what Wisconsinites have known for years: we are an evenly divided, 50/50 state.
Gov. Tony Evers was re-elected with about 51 percent of the vote to Republican Tim Michel’s 49 percent and statewide elections for Attorney General, Secretary of State and State Treasurer were even closer. In the U.S. Senate election, incumbent G.O.P. Senator Ron Johnson very narrowly bested Lieutenant Gov. Mandela Barnes by just over 27,000 votes out of more than 2.6 million cast, less than one percent.
Significantly, all of the runner-up contestants in these elections gracefully conceded to the winners and there has been no baseless conspiracy theory-driven election denialism in Wisconsin like that of former President Donald Trump, former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman and others in Wisconsin as well as in several other states after the 2020 election.
Voter interest was robust and turnout was high for November 8th. More than 58 percent of Wisconsinites eligible to vote this year cast ballots, the second highest level of voting in a non-presidential year in the 21st Century, although slightly less than in 2018. This relatively high level of voter participation occurred even in the face of increased barriers to voting put in place in 2022. These included the elimination of secure voter drop boxes for the return of absentee ballots and the prohibition placed on election clerks correcting simple address mistakes or omissions for witnesses signing absentee ballot certificates. Voter turnout presumably would have been even higher absent these unnecessary barriers to voting.
Election poll workers and clerks did an outstanding job of conducting the 2022 elections which were, with a very few isolated and rare exceptions, carried out without problems, disruption, incidents or controversy. Wisconsinites voted the way all of us hoped they would – in sizable numbers and with determination and conviction. And they had faith in and accepted the outcome.
Lest we think our duty to democracy at the polling place is “done” for another two years, however, think again!
While it is true that 2024 will bring another Presidential election, as well as another U.S. Senate election in Wisconsin and for the U.S. House of Representatives and the Wisconsin Legislature, one of the most important and consequential elections in Wisconsin’s recent history is less than five months away. The eyes of the entire country will be focused on a single Wisconsin Supreme Court election that will determine the composition of the majority on that court and could have enormous implications for the outcome of the U.S. Presidential election of 2024.
Furthermore, now that the U.S. Supreme Court has largely ceded to state courts the power to determine state legislative redistricting, the Wisconsin Supreme Court could conceivably revisit the unprecedented partisan gerrymandering of the state’s Assembly and State Senate districts in 2021-22. The Wisconsin Supreme Court will also have enormous power to determine how elections are conducted, what health care decisions are made, how taxes and state and local funding decisions are determined and in almost every other conceivable policy affecting the lives of each and every Wisconsinite for years to come.
National attention will thus be concentrated on what happens here during the next four months leading up to the April 4th general election for a single seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Millions upon millions of dollars – most of it no doubt undisclosed, unregulated and from out of state – will pour into Wisconsin to try to influence state voters on the airwaves, in print media, on the internet, in the U.S. Mail and on the “ground” from now until April. The nearly complete deregulation and elimination of any sensible limits on and transparency of political money by the Wisconsin Legislature and then-Gov. Scott Walker in 2015 have set the stage for this massive upcoming assault on our senses and sanity for the next four months. It is critical that all of us engage and participate no matter how ugly things get.
This election is expected to be like most statewide elections in our state – very hotly contested and evenly divided. Four candidates have already jumped into the contest. The press has identified two as being conservatives and two as progressives. The field will be winnowed to the final two in the February 21st primary election. Voter turnout in Spring elections in Wisconsin is typically much lower than those in November. That means that every vote matters even more and is amplified in importance.
With so much at stake for Wisconsin and for the nation in the upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court election, all of us have a duty to become involved and informed about the candidates, the issues and to be concerned about the outcome. Postpone your post-election rest and relaxation until April 5th. The future of our democracy depends on your active engagement in this matter in the months immediately ahead.
--------------------------
Jay Heck
608/256-2686 (office)
608/512-9363 (cell)
608/512-9363 (cell)
Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
www.commoncausewisconsin.org
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
www.commoncausewisconsin.org
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
In The News - November 2022
November 28, 2022 - Rick Solem, WIZM News La Crosse WI Election Watchdog: Results a Mixed Bag for Democracy
November 11, 2022 - Mike Moen, Public News Service Voters give thumbs down to private election administration funding
November 11, 2022 - Erik Gunn, Wisconsin Examiner Election Day: What you need to know - interview with Jay Heck
November 7, 2022 - Greg Stensland, Between the Lines, WFDL fm radio
Monday, November 7, 2022
Tuesday – November 8th is Election Day!
For release: Monday - November 7, 2022
Polling Places Open at 7 AM & Close at 8 PM
The day of decision is finally here! Election Day is tomorrow, Tuesday, November 8th! Defend democracy and free and fair elections in Wisconsin and your critically important role in it by casting your ballot. Your vote is your voice, and your voice matters. So, if you haven't yet cast your ballot by absentee voting, then here’s what you need to know about voting tomorrow.
The Wisconsin Election Commission released this guidance for all voters: WEC Offers Election Day Reminders for November 8.
If you have a mailed absentee ballot that was sent to you and you have not returned it yet, be sure to hand return your completed ballot TODAY. Do NOT mail it. All ballots need to be received no later than 8:00 PM on Election Day. Your clerk and myvote.wi.gov will have information about where you can return your ballot. Don't forget: The ballot envelope needs a witness signature and the complete address of the witness.
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.
Read the information below so you are prepared when you show up to vote at your polling location tomorrow (Find your polling place). Polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM across the state.
Registration:
You can register to vote on Election Day at your voting location. Being registered to vote means being registered at your current address. You need to have resided 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 photo ID before you vote. If you have a Wisconsin driver's license or ID card, then you’re all set. Other specified forms of ID work too, and it’s smart to check the official list of acceptable IDs at https://bringit.wi.gov 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 11th). If you don't have an acceptable ID for voting and need help getting one, contact the VoteRiders for assistance: online at VoteRiders or at 844-338-8743 (call or text).
Need a Ride to Your Polling Location to Vote?
Souls to the Polls is offering free round trip rides to the polls in Milwaukee. Call their hotline 414-742-1060. You can call now to schedule your ride ahead of time or on Election Day.
Disability Rights Wisconsin has compiled a list of agencies and counties that provide transportation for voting, with a focus on those who serve people with disabilities and older adults, including accessible transportation across the state. Many require advance notice. https://disabilityvote.org/rides-to-polls/
Student Voters:
Students attending a public or private university, college, or technical school in Wisconsin can find information about how to vote from the CC/WI webpage: Three Things College Students Need to Vote in Wisconsin.
Know what’s on your ballot:
Take a look at your official ballot through MyVote before you cast your vote. Find out what offices are being elected, who is running for those offices, and important ballot referenda. Be sure to check the back of your ballot! Your voice is amplified the more local the election. So be sure to vote on everything down the ballot.
Get to know who wants to represent you and which candidate best represents your values before you vote. Find candidate and ballot information from Vote411 and Wisconsin Vote.
Have questions or need some assistance?
Beyond the resources of your municipal clerk, help is just a call, text, or email away!
- 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.
- Voters with disabilities have the right to an accessible polling place, including using an accessible voting machine, getting assistance marking a ballot, and using curbside voting. 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 Election Protection at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) for support from nonpartisan election protection volunteers with questions or to report problems.
Do your part to preserve democracy and ensure that your voice is heard and your vote matters and is counted. Go Vote! Elections in Wisconsin are often very closely contested and each and every vote can and does make a difference.
Please vote.
Make Wisconsin’s state motto your mantra today: Forward!
Sincerely,
Jay Heck
--------------------------
Jay Heck
608/256-2686 (office)
608/512-9363 (cell)
608/512-9363 (cell)
Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
www.commoncausewisconsin.org
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
www.commoncausewisconsin.org
Wednesday, November 2, 2022
Your Voting Options From Now Until November 8th – Election Day!
Wednesday - November 2, 2022
Make A Voting Plan Now and Ensure that Your Voice Will Be Heard!
It is not an exaggeration to characterize next Tuesday’s election as one of the most significant in Wisconsin’s history. What happens on November 8th and after will have a major impact on where our state, and our nation, is headed in the years ahead. Statewide elections in Wisconsin are usually always very close and every vote matters. It is imperative that you ensure that your vote is cast correctly so that it can be counted and will reflect your values and your choices for public office and who represents us.
With that in mind, you need to know that in Wisconsin, you can currently vote one of three ways:
By Absentee Ballot By Mail (return your ballot)
OR
By Absentee Ballot In-Person (happening now)
OR
In-Person on Election Day (November 8th)
Make a plan to vote the best way that works for you. Here’s more helpful information about each option and other important items to note about casting your ballot.
First way to vote: Mail-in Absentee Ballot
While you have until November 3rd to request a mail-in ballot, we suggest you either vote on Election Day or "Early In-Person Vote" (see explanations below) because the likelihood of receiving and returning your ballot by the deadline are much reduced since we are now nearing Election Day, which is November 8th.
If you have not yet returned your completed mailed ballot, do so NOW! Your ballot (sealed in the official envelope with your signature and a witness's signature and full address) needs to be returned to your clerk by Election Day! If you haven't mailed your ballot yet, it is now far better to personally drop the ballot off at your clerk's office. Voters should check with their municipal clerk about their options. Visit https://myvote.wi.gov to find your local clerk’s contact information and hours of operation. Track your ballot through the official ballot tracker at MyVote.
Second Way to Vote: In-person Absentee Ballot (Early Vote)
If you’d like to cast an absentee ballot in person (aka, “early vote”) before Election Day, check with your clerk for locations and times for your village / town / city. Most municipalities will wrap up early voting this Friday, November 4th. However, some municipalities will continue early vote through this weekend. Visit your municipal clerk’s website, contact your clerk, or search MyVote.wi.gov to find out about your options and opportunities to vote early.
Third Way to Vote: At your polling location on Election Day – Tuesday, November 8th
Prepare now if you’re going to vote at your polling place next week on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8th. Here are some things to help you make and execute a voting plan:
Registration: If you are not yet registered to vote, you can register to vote on Election Day at your voting location. (Find your polling place.) Being registered to vote means being registered at your current address. You need to have resided 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, otherwise you can vote at your previous address. You'll need to bring a proof of residence document to complete your registration (this document can be shown electronically).
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 ID card, then you’re all set. Other forms of ID work too, and it’s good to check the official list of acceptable IDs at https://bringit.wi.gov to make sure you have what you need.
***Many Wisconsin DMV locations will be offering extended hours (until 6pm CT) on Monday 11/7 and/or Tuesday 11/8 to help Wisconsinites obtain the photo ID they need to vote. You can look up your nearest DMV location and hours here: https://trust.dot.state.wi.us/cscfinder/cscsearch.do
Know what’s on your ballot:
Take a look at your official ballot through MyVote before you cast your vote. Find out what offices are being elected, who is running for those offices, and important ballot referenda. Be sure to check the back of your ballot! Your voice is amplified the more local the election. So be sure to vote on everything down the ballot
Get to know who wants to represent you and which candidate best represents your values before you vote. Find candidate and ballot information from Vote411 and Wisconsin Vote.
Rides to the Polls:
Souls to the Polls is offering free round trip rides to the polls in Milwaukee. Call their hotline 414-742-1060. You can call now to schedule your ride ahead of time for early voting (now through 11/5) or on Election Day (Tuesday, 11/8)!
Disability Rights Wisconsin has compiled a list of agencies and counties that provide transportation for voting, with a focus on those who serve people with disabilities and older adults, including accessible transportation across the state. Many require advance notice. https://disabilityvote.org/rides-to-polls/
Student Voters:
Students attending a university, college, or technical school in Wisconsin can find information to vote from the CC/WI webpage: Three Things College Students Need to Vote in Wisconsin.
Election Results:
Every eligible voter should have their voice heard and their vote counted. We expect a high voter turnout in this election and that means it will take longer to count the votes and verify a winner in this year’s election — and that’s okay! As we know, absentee ballots take longer to count because of security measures to verify the accuracy of those ballots and many voters now vote by absentee ballot. Plus, in Wisconsin, election officials cannot start counting absentee ballots until the polls open on Election Day. This means, officials can't start processing ballots until the poll open or officials can't start counting ballots until the polls close. Election integrity is more important than partial results reported on Election night. We need to be patient so election officials can take the time to make sure every eligible vote is counted accurately.
By taking a few minutes now to review your voting options and decide on a plan, you can make your voting experience proceed smoothly and effectively. And that will mean that your vote will be counted, and your voice will be heard. That is the foundation of American democracy and it is a right and privilege that none of us should ever take for granted.
So, take a deep breath and Get Ready, Set, VOTE!
On Wisconsin!
Jay Heck
--------------------------
Jay Heck
608/256-2686 (office)
608/512-9363 (cell)
608/512-9363 (cell)
Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
www.commoncausewisconsin.org
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
www.commoncausewisconsin.org
Tuesday, November 1, 2022
Here are the 59 Candidates Running for the Wisconsin State Senate and Assembly Who Support Ending Partisan Gerrymandering and Redistricting Reform
Tuesday - November 1, 2022
These Candidates Proactively Informed CCWI and Voters of their Position on This Issue
In early September, Common Cause in Wisconsin (CC/WI) e-mailed every Republican, Democratic and Independent candidate for the Wisconsin State Senate and Assembly in the upcoming November 8th election, inviting them to proactively contact us to inform us of their support nonpartisan redistricting reform and if they wished to have their names listed publicly on our website.
The day following the e-mail message to candidates, September 8th, 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 legislation introduced in 2021 - Assembly Bill 395/Senate Bill 389. This is a comprehensive reform measure that is modeled after Iowa's highly successful, 42-year-old redistricting process that takes the partisan politics out of redistricting and delegates the boundary-drawing to a non-partisan state entity that does not utilize partisan political considerations in their task.
Then, on September 22nd, CC/WI issued this first follow-up release (hyperlink that release) once again inviting state legislative candidates to inform us and the public of their support for non-partisan redistricting reform. And on October 14th sent out this second follow-up release. Today’s release is now the third and final follow-up, and fourth and final invitation to candidates to express public support for the “Iowa Model” redistricting process for Wisconsin before November 8th.
As of today, CC/WI has been contacted by 11 Wisconsin state legislative candidates for the State Senate and 48 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 the non-partisan redistricting reform embodied in the "Iowa Plan" 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 "Iowa Plan" and would like to see their name listed on our site should contact CC/WI by phone at (608) 256-2686 (leave a message if no answer), or by email, jheck@commoncause.org. Citizens can and should urge candidates to support non-partisan redistricting reform and request that they get their names on this list.
Candidates must be proactive to have their names appear on this site! Even incumbent legislators running for re-election who co-sponsored AB 395/SB 389 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.
The list of candidates who inform us of their support for the Iowa Model redistricting plan for Wisconsin will continue to be linked on our dedicated Common Cause Wisconsin webpage and updated regularly until the November 8th election.
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 candidates of all political parties for the Wisconsin Legislature are willing to stand up and pledge support for it and for the voters of our state before November 8th.
On Wisconsin!
Jay Heck
--------------------------
Jay Heck
608/256-2686 (office)
608/512-9363 (cell)
608/512-9363 (cell)
Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
www.commoncausewisconsin.org
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
www.commoncausewisconsin.org
Monday, October 31, 2022
In the News - October 2022
October 20, 2022 - Greg Stensland, Between the Lines, WFDL fm radio Ballot Drop Boxes: A Guide for the 2022 Midterm Elections
October 14, 2022 - Rachel Epstein, marie claire Special session on binding referendum ends in a blink
October 6, 2022 - Tim Kowols, Door County Daily News Preparing to Vote - interview with Jay Heck
October 5, 2022 - Greg Stensland , Between the Lines, WFDL fm radio
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
Just Two Weeks Until Election Day! What You Need to Know to Cast Your Ballot and Have it Counted. Your Vote Matters.
Tuesday - October 25, 2022
Early Voting (In-Person Absentee) Starts Today!
Two weeks from today is Election Day - November 8th! However, you can cast your ballot for the November election now with early voting options by mail and in-person. Choose the option best for you and be sure you have a plan to vote. Then, help other voters to do the same. It is not an exaggeration to say that this election is one of the most important and consequential in our lifetime. Elections in Wisconsin are almost always closely contested and every vote matters!
Make sure you are registered to vote at your current address
Go to MyVote.wi.gov, and enter your name and date of birth to check your voter registration status. 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.
If you find out that you are not already registered to vote at your current residence, you can still register:
→ In your Municipal Clerk’s Office. You can register in-person in your municipal clerk’s office up until the close of business on the Friday before the election in which you are planning to vote. For the Fall election, the last day to register in your clerk's office is next Friday, November 4th. You'll need to bring a proof of residence document to complete your registration (this document can be shown electronically). You can find your clerk's office information here.
→ At the Polls on Election Day. If you're unable to register before the election, you can still register at your polling place on Election Day - November 8th. You will need to present a proof of residence document when registering (again, this document can be shown electronically). If your Wisconsin driver’s license or state ID card has your current address, then that’s all you need.
Examples of proof of residence documents are here.
Casting an absentee ballot / early voting
Municipalities can begin In Person Absentee Voting (aka, “early voting”) today, October 25th, and must conclude by November 6th. To find out where and when you can cast an early, in-person absentee ballot in your city/town/village, contact your local municipal clerk’s office. In-person early voting dates and times vary by municipality, and you can see your options at MyVote by clicking on "Vote Absentee" and filling in your information. Then click on the "Find my local absentee options" button to see your in-person early voting options.
If you requested a mailed absentee ballot, return it as soon as possible. Track your ballot through the official ballot tracker on MyVote. You can drop the completed ballot off at your clerk's office. If you still need to return your ballot by mail, don't wait and do it today.
If you haven't requested your absentee ballot by mail, it's best to choose another option to cast your ballot (in-person early vote or vote on Election Day). Your ballot needs to be returned to the clerk by Election Day, November 8. Don't risk not having your ballot not counted because it isn't back in time by making a late request.
Find more information about voting by mailed absentee ballot and ballot return from Common Cause WI here.
Finally, all you wanted to know about elections and voting in Wisconsin can be found here in these short videos created by the Wisconsin Election Commission.
And don't forget your photo ID
If you already have a Wisconsin driver's license or state ID card, then you're "ID ready." Just remember to bring it with you when you head to your polling place!
Check which other IDs are valid to use to vote at the official site: Bring It to the Ballot. Here you can also learn how to obtain a free state ID card to vote and review other ID information. Need help? If you or someone you know needs help getting a DMV-isssued Wisconsin ID, contact our partners online at VoteRiders or at 844-338-8743 (call or text).
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
Most students already have a Wisconsin driver's license or one of the other acceptable forms of photo ID for voting.
Students who do not have one of the other forms of acceptable ID for voting should look up their college/university on the appropriate list linked below to see if their student ID can be used as a photo ID to vote or if their school offers a special photo ID card for voting:
University of WI - 4-Year Schools
University of WI - 2-Year Schools
WI Private Universities and Colleges
WI Technical and Community Colleges
Information on the candidates and your ballot
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. Wisconsin Public Broadcasting Systems also has candidate information at Wisconsin Vote. And take a look at your official ballot through MyVote before you cast your ballot.
Questions or Problems? There's help.
Registering to vote, having the correct ID, finding your polling place...None of these things have to be scary, but they can be overwhelming. Help is just a call or text away.
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.
Voters with disabilities have the right to an accessible polling place. This includes the right to use an accessible voting machine, to have assistance marking a ballot, and to vote curbside. Call the Disability Rights Wisconsin Voter Hotline for assistance: 1-844-347-8683.
If you experience problems at the polls or have questions, there is help. Call Election Protection at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) for support from nonpartisan election protection volunteers with questions or to report problems.
Make a plan and then go vote! There is still time to prepare and be voter ready however you choose to vote in this Election. Do your part to preserve democracy and ensure that your voice and vote matters and is heard and counted. Vote!
--------------------------
Jay Heck
608/256-2686 (office)
608/512-9363 (cell)
608/512-9363 (cell)
Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
www.commoncausewisconsin.org
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
www.commoncausewisconsin.org
Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Wisconsin Elections Commission Must Be Strengthened
Wednesday - October 19, 2022
Additional Resources and Staff Required to Meet Increased Demand for Services
In late August, the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) unveiled and put forward a proposal to add up to eleven additional staff members and an increase of $1.34 million in additional state funding in order to meet the vastly increased workload and demand for services that has occurred over the past several years.
The vote in support of this proposal was unanimous: 6 to 0. All three Republican and all three Democratic WEC Commissioners voted to forward this request to the Governor and the Wisconsin Legislature for additional funding in the upcoming 2023-24 biennium state budget. The Republican Chair of WEC, Don M. Millis of Madison, took the leading role in putting forward this common sense, non-partisan proposal.
In the wake of the 2020 election in Wisconsin, about which numerous false claims have been made that the election in this state was “stolen” from former President Donald Trump, there has been an astounding 800 percent increase in records requests made to the WEC and a 233 percent increase in election-related complaints filed with the WEC.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission and the Wisconsin Ethics Commission were devised and established by majority Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature and former Gov. Scott Walker in December 2015. The two commissions replaced the non-partisan Wisconsin Government Accountability (GAB), which had been established in 2007 in the wake of Wisconsin’s infamous Legislative Caucus Scandal of 2001-02.
Common Cause in Wisconsin (CC/WI) worked closely with former Republican State Senator Michael Ellis of Neenah to devise and pass the GAB and strongly opposed its destruction. Nonetheless, CC/WI strongly supports the bipartisan request from the six WEC Commissioners to enhance and strengthen WEC in the upcoming budget and urges the Governor and Legislature to do so as well.
“It is time to make the WEC strong, so we can have faith in our elections. More staff is needed to address the increased volume of records requests and complaints. All of the Commissioners have called for this action. Let’s do it!” said CC/WI Advisory Board Co-Chair Penny Bernard Schaber of Appleton.
Co-Chair David Deininger of Monroe added, “As a former member of the GAB, I was disheartened to see it abolished. But if the WEC is to be an effective overseer and administrator of elections in Wisconsin, it must be given the resources to effectively do the job the Legislature has given it.”
--------------------------
Jay Heck
608/256-2686 (office)
608/512-9363 (cell)
608/512-9363 (cell)
Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
www.commoncausewisconsin.org
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
www.commoncausewisconsin.org
Friday, October 14, 2022
Updated Listing of Candidates Running for the Wisconsin State Senate and Assembly Who Support Ending Partisan Gerrymandering and Redistricting Reform
Friday - October 14, 2022
Candidates Must Be Pro-Active to Inform CCWI and Voters of their Position on This Issue (Second Follow-Up)
In early September, Common Cause in Wisconsin (CC/WI) e-mailed every Republican, Democratic and Independent candidate for the Wisconsin State Senate and Assembly in the upcoming November 8th election, inviting them to pro-actively 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.
The day following the e-mail message to candidates, September 8th, 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 legislation introduced in 2021 - Assembly Bill 395/Senate Bill 389. This is a comprehensive reform measure that is modeled after Iowa's highly successful, 42-year-old redistricting process that takes the partisan politics out of redistricting and delegates the boundary-drawing to a non-partisan state entity that does not utilize partisan political considerations in their task.
Then, on September 22nd, CC/WI issued this first 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 now the second follow-up and third invitation to candidates to express public support for the “Iowa Model” redistricting process for Wisconsin.
As of today, CC/WI has been contacted by 7 Wisconsin state legislative candidates for the State Senate and 40 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 the non-partisan redistricting reform embodied in the "Iowa Plan" 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 "Iowa Plan" and would like to see their name listed on our site should contact CC/WI by phone at (608) 256-2686 (leave a message if no answer), by email or, even by letter to: Common Cause in Wisconsin, P.O. Box 2597, Madison, WI 53701-2597. Citizens can and should urge candidates to support non-partisan redistricting reform and request that they get their names on this list.
Candidates must be pro-active to have their names appear on this site! Even incumbent legislators running for re-election who co-sponsored AB 395/SB 389 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.
The list of candidates who inform us of their support for the Iowa Model redistricting plan for Wisconsin will continue to be linked on our dedicated Common Cause Wisconsin webpage and updated regularly until the November 8th election. As a reminder, election clerks began mailing absentee ballots to voters requesting them on September 22, 2022. Candidates should contact CC/WI immediately while voters are casting their absentee ballots so that voters know where Wisconsin Assembly and State Senate candidates stand on this important issue.
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 candidates of all political parties for the Wisconsin Legislature are willing to stand up and pledge support for it and for the voters of our state before November 8th.
Forward!
Jay Heck
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Jay Heck
608/256-2686 (office)
608/512-9363 (cell)
608/512-9363 (cell)
Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
www.commoncausewisconsin.org
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
www.commoncausewisconsin.org
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