Category Archives: Voter Information

March and April, 2023 Newsletter

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WHAT’S ON THE BALLOT?

The future freedom in our state depends on the election of Judge Janet Protasiewicz to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Experts believe there is a clear-cut case that would overturn the 1849 abortion ban which is already working its way through the lower courts. But if the Supreme Court continues its pattern of right judicial activism, then it’s a near-certainty the Supreme Court would declare the ban in full effect. Voter suppression, gerrymandered maps and anti-union decisions will continue if we fail to elect a progressive justice.

Also on the ballot are two constitutional amendment changes. Question 1 is about conditions of release before conviction. Question 2 is about cash bail before conviction. The ballot questions are ambiguous and misleading. Increased pretrial detention and denial of bail will violate the rights of those who are innocent until proven guilty, increase costs for rural jails, and adversely impact the less affluent. Please vote NO on these amendments.

There is a quick turnaround between when absentee ballots will be sent out (March 15) and the April 4th election. If there is a chance that your ballot won’t be received on time (mail by March 27th) voters are asked to either early vote with their municipal clerk from March 21-31 or vote on election day. Any voting questions can be answered by calling the Voter Protection Line at 866-336-3232.

SIGNS AND FLAGS

Our office at 1404 E. Green Bay Street will open on Friday, March 10th. It will be open on Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm until the election. We will soon be getting yard signs for Judge Janet. We will also have progressive flags for sale. Stop in and talk to Carrie. Sign up to make phone calls or write postcards to encourage others to vote in this important election.

“HOW THE SUPREME COURT RACES BECAME SO PARTISAN”

Matt Rothchild, the executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, will be speaking on this topic at our March 15th 7:00 pm zoom meeting. This nonprofit group is dedicated to clean, open democratic government where everyone has an equal voice .It is a nonpartisan watchdog that tracks and exposes money in politics. The zoom link will be sent out via email.

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 9 and April 6: Breakfast Club on WTCH 960 am. 8:00-9:00 am.

March 10: Democratic office open from 11:00 am–4:00 pm

March 15: 7:00 pm Zoom Membership Meeting with Matt Rothchild from the WI Democracy Campaign

March 21: Early voting begins

April 4: Spring General Election 7:00 am—8:00 pm

CONVENTION DATES

The 8th Congressional District’s Convention will be held on April 29th in Sturgeon Bay. The State Convention will from June 10-11 in Green Bay. If you wish to be a delegate, let Jan Koch know. You don’t need to be a member to attend.

Chair’s Comments

We were successful in putting Judge Janet on the ballot. Shawano County increased primary voter turnout from the low 20s to over 30 percent. Some of the increase may be attributed to TV advertisements but we also had volunteers calling Democrats across Shawano County to inform them to vote for one of progressive candidates (Thank You!). We also invested in radio ads on WTCH and WOWN.

We plan to continue our calling efforts and will also have postcards in the office for volunteers to pick up. Weekends of Action will inform voters of the election’s importance through door canvassing and phone calls. Please volunteer.

Jan Koch, Chair

U.S Senate Candidates

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State Senator Chris Larson will be on Zoom at our July 21st in-person meeting
Shawano Civic Center
7:00 p.m.

Here is the Zoom link if you can’t make the meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/6228488386

Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson will be stopping by on his 72 county tour across the state July 28th 9:00 a.m.

Angie’s Main Café back room

132 S. Main St. Shawano, WI

Soon to be announced:

Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes will be the seventh candidate to take on Johnson.  We will be inviting him to a future event.

MAKE SOME IMPORTANT PHONE CALLS

Contact your representatives and tell them to support these bills to have fair maps and end gerrymandering.  The bills define a new procedure for the drawing of nonpartisan legislative and congressional redistricting maps.  If we want popular progressive legislation passed by our Legislature, we need to let them know that we want these bills passed:

Senate Bill 389:
Senate District 2:  Robert Cowles    608-266-0484

mailto:Sen.Cowles@legis.wisconsin.gov

Senate District 12:  Mary Felzkowski   608-266-2509

Sen.Felzkowski@legis.wisconsin.gov

Assembly Bill 395:
Assembly District 6:  Gary Tauchen   608-266-3097

Rep.Tauchen@legis.wiscnosin.gov

Assembly District 36:  Jeffrey Mursau   608-266-3780

Rep.Mursau@legis.wiscosin.gov

Assembly District 35:  Calvin Callahan   608-266-7694

Rep.Callahan@leg.wisconsin.gov

This is Tauchen’s last term.  Tell him he needs to do what is best for our democracy—let the people choose their representatives, not the other way around.  Call the Legislative Hotline if you aren’t sure of your representatives (800-362-9472).

JULY LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Sent to the Shawano Leader:

This past year students and their families, schools and educators had to sacrifice so much. The one-time $2.3 billion in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan was meant to help public schools recover.  However, the funding was not meant to relieve the state of its responsibility.  By law federal funding will NOT be received by any Legislature that fails to increase education funding by at least $387 million over the next two years.

The original Republican supported 2021-2023 budget sent to the governor cut Evers’ budget to $128 million, thus putting the federal aid in jeopardy.  The governor, who cares deeply about education, did not want Wisconsin lose the federal funding.  Therefore, he used his constitutional authority to revise the budget adding $100 million in recovery funds to invest in Wisconsin’s classrooms.

Districts will now be able to use these funds for non-pandemic-related expenses such as hiring educators and staff, providing additional educational or mental health supports or buying computers.

This is such a breath of fresh air after Wisconsin had been ranked 49th in the nation for per-pupil education investment increases.  Over the past decade, Wisconsin’s investment in K-12 per pupil spending had increased a measly 4.3% compared to 18.9% nationwide.  The Joint Committee on Finance had a chance to change that in the 2021-23 budget, but it took the governor to prioritize our children and their education.

In the past the State of Wisconsin had one of the best public school systems in the nation.  Part of this was due to state funding which provided two-thirds of the cost.  For two decades this has not been the case and the local tax payers have had to support their school districts.  This made it difficult for many rural school districts to provide a quality education. Thanks to Governor Evers the 2021-23 biennial budget provides roughly $685 million in additional net general and categorical school aids. This funding restores the state’s commitment to providing two-thirds of the cost.

There will be $89 million that the governor put into reimbursement for students with disabilities and $19 million in school mental health programs.  These services had been drastically underfunded.

As a retired educator, it is heartening and a relief to see our state putting money back into the education of our children.

Jan Koch

Chair’s Comments

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It is uplifting to have both a governor and now a president who have our best interests in mind.
COVID relief is a prime example of what our Democratic leaders can do to help people.  The passage of President Biden’s Build Back Better legislation is such a contrast to the state Republicans who did nothing for 288 days in 2020 to help Wisconsinites.  Evers’ 2021-2023 budget has provisions for further relief.

Even though it has been proven the 2020 election results were accurate, the “Big Lie” continues to be a talking point among some Republicans, including our own senator, Ron Johnson. They are using this lie as a reason for passing more voter suppression legislation in states across the country including Wisconsin.  We need to continue to be vigilant and let our representatives know that we wanted it easier for citizens to vote, not harder.

The Senate will soon be taking up the For the People Act (H.R 1) which has already been passed by the House of representatives.  It would expand voting rights, get money out of politics, and limit partisan gerrymandering.  We need to keep the pressure on our state and federal representatives to support these ideas.

The spring primary is an opportunity for you to show your support for public education.  A vote for Jill Underly will allow Governor Evers to implement his vision for a return to a strong public education system in Wisconsin.  You can request an absentee ballot at www.myvote.wi.gov.  Ballots will be sent out by March 16th.  Early in-person voting will begin on March 23rd.  Exercise your right!

Don’t’ hesitate to contact us with your ideas or concerns.

Jan Koch, Chair  (March 2021)

Vote Absentee This Spring Election!

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April 1, 2021 @ 5:00 p.m. – Deadline to Request an Absentee Ballot – Regular and Permanent Overseas Voters –  If you are a regular or a Permanent Overseas Voters, your absentee ballot request must be received by your municipal clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 1, 2021.

April 2, 2021 @ 5:00 p.m.– Deadline to Request an Absentee Ballot – Indefinitely Confined – If a voter is indefinitely confined  your absentee ballot request must be received by your municipal clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 2, 2021.

April 2, 2021 @ 5:00 p.m.– Deadline to Request an Absentee Ballot – Military – If a voter is in the military then your absentee ballot request must be received by your municipal clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 2, 2021.

March 23, 2021, possibly through April 4, 2021 – Deadline for In-Person Absentee – Voters can possibly request and vote an absentee ballot in-person in their municipal clerk’s office through April 4, 2021.  Office hours vary by municipality. Some municipal offices may not offer additional in-person absentee hours Please contact your municipal clerk for absentee voting hours. 

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin Endorses Jill Underly for State Superintendent

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The Spring Primary made one thing clear: there is one true progressive public schools champion in the race for State Superintendent, and that’s Dr. Jill Underly. The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is proud to endorse her campaign to become our next Superintendent at the Department of Public Instruction, a job once held by our own Governor Tony Evers.

Dr. Underly has more than two decades of public education experience, and has served kids pre-kindergarten through college, as a teacher, a principal, a mentor, and a district superintendent.

Sign up to get involved in Jill Underly’s campaign at: https://underlyforwi.com/join-the-team/.

Seven Candidates File to Run for State Schools Superintendent

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Court of Appeals Candidates

3rd Court of Appeals

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Election Eve Comments

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On this election eve the Democratic Party of Shawano County wishes to thank all of you who gave your support in this election.  Whether you donated to our county party, local or the national Democratic candidates, or volunteered to make phone calls and/or did lit drops, we appreciate every effort.

If you are a poll watcher or are going to the polls tomorrow, keep your eyes open for anything that needs to be reported.  Attorney Steve Menard is our contact for election security.  Call him at 608-354-5592 if you see something he needs to know.

Remember to bring your sign wires to the office on Wednesday between the hours of 3:00 and 6:00 pm.  Join us for our next Zoom membership meeting on Nov. 18th at 7:00 pm where we will be celebrating the future.

GO DEMS!

Only 9 Days Left!

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CHAIR’S COMMENTS
With only nine days before the polls close I want to stress the importance of this election.  It’s not just a race between Democrats and Republicans this time.  It’s an election which will determine the direction of our country for the next four years and beyond.

We’ve all sensed the division around us.  Some of us have been afraid to put a Biden sign in our yard or a banner on our house.  Some of us no longer talk to people we used to call friends.  Some of us can’t sleep at night because we are worried about the outcome of this election.  All of us can’t wait for this nightmare to be over.  We want a country that values sharing, decency and compassion for others.

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Visit Us At Our Shawano Office

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The Shawano Democrats have a new Office this year. We are located at:

1404 E. Green Bay St. Shawano, WI (across from Perkin’s driveway)

Our current Office Hours are:

Tuesday: 12:00 – 5:00 pm
Thursday:  2:00 – 6:00 pm
Saturday:  10:00 am – 2:00 pm

The Shawano Democrat Office @ 1404 E. Green Bay St. Shawano.
Carrie Pitt may be there to Welcome you.
Visitors may be able to pick up a political sign for their favorite candidate, sign up to volunteer to work on the campaign or just talk politics. Come and visit us. (Note: We do encourage proper Coronavirus protocol.)
Our Democrats Wall of Fame.