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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