For Release: Wednesday - October 31, 2018
Make Sure You're Ready to Vote on or Before November 6th
Midterm Election Day - November 6th is just
six days away. If you haven't done it already, take some time NOW to make a plan to vote and to help every eligible voter you can do the same.
First, make sure you are registered to vote at your current address.
Visit the
"My Voter Info" page at MyVoteWI.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 10 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 5pm (or 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 this
Friday, November 2nd. You'll need to bring a proof of residence document to complete your registration (this document can be shown electronically).
At the Polls on Election Day. If you're unable to register by before the election, you can still register at your polling place on Election Day. You will need to present a proof of residence document when registering (again, this document can be shown electronically). If your driver’s license or state ID card has your current address, that’s all you need.
Examples of proof of residence documents are here.
Next, if you think there is any chance that you won't make it to the polls on November 6th, then vote early.
Early voting is still available in Madison and Milwaukee until November 4th; for other areas, please check with your local local municipal clerk, as some cities/towns/villages end early voting on November 2nd or 3rd.
To preview your Election ballot, visit the Wisconsin Elections Commission's "What's on My Ballot" page and type in your address.
Here is more on what you need to know about casting an early, absentee ballot – in-person or by mail. Read it – and share this link widely.
And don't forget a photo ID.
If you already have a Wisconsin driver license or one of the other acceptable forms of ID for voting pictured left, then you're "ID ready." Just remember to bring it with you when you head to your polling place!
If you don't have an acceptable photo ID, review the information on our downloadable voter ID fact sheet and/or visit the Wisconsin Election Commission's voter photo ID website: Bring It to the Ballot.
You can also contact one of these nonpartisan voter ID hotline numbers for assistance: (608) 285-2141 or (414) 882-8622.
Are you (or do you know) a college student voting in Wisconsin?
If you do not have one of the other forms of photo ID pictured above, and you are a college student hoping to use your student ID and a proof of enrollment document as your "voter ID," look up your school NOW on the appropriate list linked below to see if your current student ID is an acceptable form of ID for voting. If your student ID cannot be used for voting, you can find out if a separate school-issued "voter photo ID" is available and how to get one.
University of Wisconsin – 4-Year Schools
University of Wisconsin – 2-Year Schools
Wisconsin Private Universities & Colleges
Wisconsin Technical Colleges
Need a ride to the polls?
We've said many times that if we want our democracy to work, we have to show up. But for those without transportation to the polls, "showing up" can be tough, if not impossible.
In response to this need, CC/WI is once again identifying and recruiting organizations and individuals statewide who are willing to offer free rides to the polls during early voting, on Election Day, or both.
More information about the program and the link to our latest statewide list of these groups and individuals offering rides is here. Please share this widely! And check back regularly as we will be updating our list as more volunteers and organizations are added.
If you are interested in joining our team of volunteer drivers, please fill out this online form.
And if you know of any organizations in your area offering free rides, contact CC/WI by email as soon as possible so we can add them to our list!
Have voting questions or problems?
Common Cause in Wisconsin is once again partnering with the nonpartisan Election Protection coalition, led by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, to provide "guidance, information and help to any American, regardless of who that voter is casting a ballot for." You have the right to vote without harassment or intimidation at your polling place.
Election Protection’s highly-trained legal volunteers are available to assist voters with any questions or problems, no matter how simple or complex. Voters may call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) toll-free with any questions or issues that may arise. Spanish-speaking voters may seek assistance through the 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (1-888-839-8682) hotline.
Remember: in order to preserve and protect our democracy, we have to participate in it.
That means voting in this and every other election – and doing everything we can to make sure every eligible voter we know does the same.
Contact:
Sandra Miller
Director of Information Services & Outreach
608/658-2109
smiller@commoncause.org
Jay Heck
Executive Director
608/256-2686 (office)
608/512/9363 (cell)
jheck@commoncause.org
Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 W. Johnson St., Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
608/256-2686
Want Good Government?
Join Common Cause in Wisconsin!
www.CommonCauseWisconsin.org
Read More...
Intro only...
For Release: Monday - October 29, 2018
CC/WI Director Jay Heck Speaking at Capitol Fair Maps Rally in June 2018
Two Republicans Join 80 Democrats in Support of "Iowa Model"
for Wisconsin Redistricting
Since CC/WI
announced on August 30th that we would be posting the names of all "pro-active" November 2018 election state legislative and statewide candidates who support non-partisan redistricting reform, and specifically, the "Iowa Plan," we have heard from, or know of, 80 state legislative and two statewide candidates who do so.
A total of 80 Democratic candidates and two Republican candidates support this critical and needed reform measure. We have not heard from any third party candidates to date.
Here is the updated list of supporters, as of this morning, October 16th.
There may be a few candidates for state office who support redistricting reform but have not yet informed us. This will their last opportunity to do so. If we receive word from additional candidates that support the "Iowa Model," we will do one final posting of opponents of partisan gerrymandering before November 6th.
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 by letter: CC/WI, P.O. Box 2597, Madison, WI 53701-2597.
Citizens can 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. That shows us and the voters of Wisconsin that you are "paying attention" to this issue. So no complaints that CC/WI "should have known" of your support for this reform, please!
We will update the list constantly and have published a link to it in the sidebar of our website for anyone to check to see who is on it and therefore in support of the Iowa Plan.
There is more that you can do to advance non-partisan redistricting reform in Wisconsin in the next eight days before the November 6th election.
First, you can download and print the postcard sized information sheet with questions to ask state legislative and statewide candidates at candidate forums and to distribute to your friends and family to do the same.
Challenging candidates in person or through the media to support redistricting reform is very powerful and effective.
Second, if you haven't done so yet, please "sign" the online petition in support of the "Iowa Plan" for Wisconsin and urge friends and family to do so as well. We already have just over 4,000 "signatures" and would love to have well over 5,000 to present to the new Wisconsin Legislature, after the election, in early 2019.
Let's make ending partisan gerrymandering a central focus during this election season and finally achieve the redistricting process Wisconsin voters of all political persuasions want and deserve.
On Wisconsin!
CONTACT:
Jay Heck
608/256-2686 (office)
608/512-9363 (cell)
Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 W. Johnson St., Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
608/256-2686
Want Good Government?
Join Common Cause in Wisconsin!
www.CommonCauseWisconsin.org
Read More...
Intro only...
For Release: Friday - October 26, 2018
Only ten days remain before Election Day - November 6th. It's officially "crunch time."
We urge students not to wait until the last minute to make sure they're prepared to vote. Take steps now to ensure your voice is heard at the ballot box!
Start by making sure you are REGISTERED TO VOTE at your current address.
It's easy.
Go to
My Vote Wisconsin, and enter your name and date of birth.
If you're not already registered to vote at your current residence, you can still
register in your municipal clerk's office or at an early voting site up until 5pm (or close of business) on
Friday, November 2nd – or you can register
at your polling place on Election Day.
If you need to register to vote, you've got to
bring along a proof of current residence document (this can be shown electronically from your cell phone). Acceptable proof of residence includes things like a paycheck or pay stub, a utility bill, a credit card statement...
More examples of proof of residence documents are here.
If there is any chance that you won't make it to the polls on November 6th, VOTE EARLY.
Early voting is going on right now in Madison and Milwaukee. To find out where and when you can cast an early, in-person absentee ballot in other areas of Wisconsin, contact local municipal clerk’s office.
And don't forget to bring an ACCEPTABLE PHOTO ID for voting.
Most students already have a Wisconsin driver license or one of the other acceptable forms of photo ID for voting.
Using a College ID as Voter ID
If you do not have one of the other photo IDs listed left (click to enlarge), look up your school NOW on the appropriate list linked below to see if your current student ID is an acceptable form of ID for voting.
If your student ID cannot be used for voting, you can find out if a separate school-issued "voter photo ID" is available and how to get one.
University of Wisconsin – 4-Year Schools
University of Wisconsin – 2-Year Schools
Wisconsin Private Universities & Colleges
Wisconsin Technical Colleges
The standard student ID at only four of the University of Wisconsin's 13 four-year schools and at eight of the state's 23 private colleges can be used as a voter photo ID.
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: if you use a school-issued ID for voting, you must also present (or display electronically) at the polls a separate proof of enrollment document, such as an enrollment verification form, class schedule or tuition bill.
For more information on Wisconsin's voter photo ID requirement, visit: Bring It to the Ballot.
Don't put this off – please take these important steps now – and then share this information anywhere and any way you think helpful.
Bottom line: if we want to preserve and protect our democracy, we have to participate in it.
Contact:
Sandra Miller
Director of Information Services & Outreach
608/658-2109
smiller@commoncause.org
Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 W. Johnson St., Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
608/256-2686
Want Good Government?
Join Common Cause in Wisconsin!
www.CommonCauseWisconsin.org
Read More...
Intro only...
For Release: Tuesday - October 23, 2018
Make Sure You're Ready to Vote on or Before November 6th
Two weeks from today is Election Day - November 6th. Now is the time to make a plan to vote and to help every eligible voter to do the same.
First, make sure you are registered to vote at your current address.
Visit the
"My Voter Info" page at MyVoteWI.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 10 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 5pm (or 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 2nd. You'll need to bring a proof of residence document to complete your registration (this document can be shown electronically).
At the Polls on Election Day. If you're unable to register by before the election, you can still register at your polling place on Election Day. You will need to present a proof of residence document when registering (again, this document can be shown electronically). If your driver’s license or state ID card has your current address, that’s all you need.
Examples of proof of residence documents are here.
Next, if you think there is any chance that you won't make it to the polls on November 6th, then vote early.
Early voting is available now in Madison and Milwaukee. 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.
To preview your Election ballot, visit the Wisconsin Elections Commission's "What's on My Ballot" page and type in your address.
Here is more on what you need to know about casting an early, absentee ballot – in-person or by mail. Read it – and share this link widely.
And don't forget a photo ID.
If you already have a Wisconsin driver license or one of the other acceptable forms of ID for voting pictured left, then you're "ID ready." Just remember to bring it with you when you head to your polling place!
If you don't have an acceptable photo ID, review the information on our downloadable voter ID fact sheet and/or visit the Wisconsin Election Commission's voter photo ID website: Bring It to the Ballot.
You can also contact one of these nonpartisan voter ID hotline numbers for assistance: (608) 285-2141 or (414) 882-8622.
Are you (or do you know) a college student voting in Wisconsin?
If you do not have one of the other forms of photo ID pictured above, and you are a college student hoping to use your student ID and a proof of enrollment document as your "voter ID," look up your school NOW on the appropriate list linked below to see if your current student ID is an acceptable form of ID for voting. If your student ID cannot be used for voting, you can find out if a separate school-issued "voter photo ID" is available and how to get one.
University of Wisconsin – 4-Year Schools
University of Wisconsin – 2-Year Schools
Wisconsin Private Universities & Colleges
Wisconsin Technical Colleges
Want to do more? How about volunteering?
We've said many times that if we want our democracy to work, we have to show up. But for those without transportation to the polls, "showing up" can be tough, if not impossible.
In response to this need, CC/WI is once again identifying and recruiting organizations and individuals statewide who are willing to offer free rides to the polls during early voting, on Election Day, or both.
More information about the program and the link to our latest statewide list of these groups and individuals offering rides is here. Please share this widely! And check back regularly as we will be updating our list as more volunteers and organizations are added.
If you are interested in joining our team of volunteer drivers, please fill out this online form. And if you know of any organizations in your area offering free rides, contact CC/WI by email as soon as possible so we can add them to our list!
Remember: in order to preserve and protect our democracy, we have to participate in it.
That means voting in this and every other election – and doing everything we can to make sure every eligible voter we know does the same.
Contact:
Sandra Miller
Director of Information Services & Outreach
608/658-2109
smiller@commoncause.org
Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 W. Johnson St., Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
608/256-2686
Want Good Government?
Join Common Cause in Wisconsin!
www.CommonCauseWisconsin.org
Read More...
Intro only...
For Release: Tuesday - October 16, 2018
This Issue Looms Large as Election Day Nears
CC/WI
announced on August 30th that we would be posting the names of all "pro-active" November 2018 election state legislative and statewide candidates who support non-partisan redistricting reform, and specifically, the "Iowa Plan." We have heard from, or know of, 79 state legislative and two statewide candidates who do so.
A total of 79 Democratic candidates and two Republican candidates support this critical and needed reform measure. We have not heard from any third party candidates to date.
Here is the updated list of supporters, as of this morning, October 16th.
There may be candidates for state office who support redistricting reform but are not yet on our radar screen.
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 by letter: CC/WI, P.O. Box 2597, Madison, WI 53701-2597.
Citizens can 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. That shows us and the voters of Wisconsin that you are "paying attention" to this issue. So no complaints that CC/WI "should have known" of your support for this reform, please!
We will update the list constantly and have published a link to it in the sidebar of our website for anyone to check to see who is on it and therefore in support of the Iowa Plan.
There is more that you can do to advance non-partisan redistricting reform in Wisconsin in the next three weeks before the November 6th election.
First, you can download and print the postcard sized information sheet with questions to ask state legislative and statewide candidates at candidate forums and to distribute to your friends and family to do the same.
Challenging candidates in person or through the media to support redistricting reform is very powerful and effective.
Second, if you haven't done so yet, please "sign" the online petition in support of the "Iowa Plan" for Wisconsin and urge friends and family to do so as well. We already have just over 4,000 "signatures" and would love to have well over 5,000 to present to the new Wisconsin Legislature, after the election, in early 2019.
Let's make ending partisan gerrymandering a central focus during this election season and finally achieve the redistricting process Wisconsin voters of all political persuasions want and deserve.
On Wisconsin!
CONTACT:
Jay Heck
608/256-2686 (office)
608/512-9363 (cell)
Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 W. Johnson St., Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
608/256-2686
Want Good Government?
Join Common Cause in Wisconsin!
www.CommonCauseWisconsin.org
Read More...
Intro only...
For Release: Thursday - October 11, 2018
The Fall Midterm Election is less than four weeks away.
Let that sink in – and then, take action.
First, make sure you are registered to vote at your current address.
Visit the
"My Voter Info" page at MyVoteWI.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 10 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, there are a number of ways to register:
Online. Eligible voters in Wisconsin who have a
valid Wisconsin driver license or a Wisconsin DMV-issued ID can register online at
MyVote.WI.gov up to 20 days before the election in which they are planning to vote; for the Fall election, the last day to register online is next
Wednesday, October 17th.
By Mail. You can start your voter registration form online at
MyVote.WI.gov – then print, sign and mail it to your municipal clerk along with a proof of residence (POR) document. Your form and POR must be postmarked to your municipal clerk no later than 20 days before the election in which you are planning to vote; for the Fall election, that date is
Wednesday, October 17th.
In your Municipal Clerk’s Office. You can register in-person in your municipal clerk’s office up until the 5pm (or 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 2nd. You'll need to bring a proof of residence document to complete your registration (this document can be shown electronically).
At the Polls on Election Day. If you're unable to register by before the election, you can still register at your polling place on Election Day. You will need to present a proof of residence document when registering (again, this document can be shown electronically). If your driver’s license or state ID card has your current address, that’s all you need.
Examples of proof of residence documents are here.
Next, if you think there is any chance that you won't make it to the polls on November 6th, then vote early.
Early voting is available now in Madison and Milwaukee. 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.
To preview your Election ballot, visit the Wisconsin Elections Commission's "What's on My Ballot" page and type in your address.
Here is more on what you need to know about casting an early, absentee ballot – in-person or by mail. Read it – and share this link widely.
And don't forget a photo ID.
You will need to present one of the acceptable IDs pictured left when voting in Wisconsin, so take a moment and check to see if you have the photo ID you need to cast a ballot early or on Election Day.
If you don't have an acceptable photo ID, review the information on our downloadable voter ID fact sheet and/or visit the Wisconsin Election Commission's voter photo ID website: Bring It to the Ballot.
You can also contact one of these nonpartisan voter ID hotline numbers for assistance: (608) 285-2141 or (414) 882-8622.
Are you (or do you know) a college student voting in Wisconsin?
Here are "Three Things College Students Need to Do To Vote in Wisconsin"
Want to do more? How about volunteering?
We've said many times that if we want our democracy to work, we have to show up. But for those without transportation to the polls, "showing up" can be tough, if not impossible.
In response to this need, CC/WI is once again identifying and recruiting organizations and individuals statewide who are willing to offer free rides to the polls during early voting, on Election Day, or both.
More information about the program and the link to our latest statewide list of these groups and individuals offering rides is here. Please share this widely! And check back regularly as we will be updating our list as more volunteers and organizations are added.
If you're interested in joining our team of volunteer drivers or know of any folks in your area offering this service, please contact CC/WI by email as soon as possible!
Another way you can help is by volunteering as an Election Observer.
With the prospect of potential confusion at the polls, volunteering to be a poll monitor is a critical way you can make a huge difference this election.
Our longtime partners, the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, are providing online training, resources, and poll assignments to citizen volunteers statewide. Just sign up using the League's online Election Observer Volunteer Form.
Remember: in order to preserve and protect our democracy, we have to participate in it.
That means voting in this and every other election – and doing everything we can to make sure every eligible voter we know does the same.
Contact:
Sandra Miller
Director of Information Services & Outreach
608/658-2109
smiller@commoncause.org
Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 W. Johnson St., Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
608/256-2686
Want Good Government?
Join Common Cause in Wisconsin!
www.CommonCauseWisconsin.org
Read More...
Intro only...
Thursday - October 4, 2018
Common Cause in Wisconsin today proudly unveils our 2018 statewide list of free rides to the polls for the midterm election.
Here's why we did this.
If we want our democracy to work, we have to show up. But for those without transportation to the polls, "showing up" can be tough, if not impossible.
Four years ago, our organization decided to do something to help.
The catalyst was a phone call we received in early fall of 2014 from an elderly voter in Caledonia. She wondered if we knew of anyone offering rides to the polls in her area. After much digging, we found an organization offering rides in her town – the
Racine Interfaith Coalition. We then connected this voter with that group, and the story ended on a happy note.
But that voter’s call got us thinking...
What other organizations in Wisconsin might be offering rides in areas where few in their community know about this service? And wouldn't putting together and publishing a "master list" of these groups help raise awareness of these ride options?
So we scoured the web, and started making calls. Lots of calls. And while we discovered over a dozen advocacy groups, transit, cab and private companies offering rides to the polls, we also identified areas in Wisconsin where no one offered this assistance.
As a result, we added our own organization to the list of those offering rides, and began recruiting volunteer drivers to try to shore up some of the gaps.
After starting small, we ran this program again two years later, in 2016 – with over 20 organizations and nearly 80 of our own drivers on the list – covering over 30 individual cities and towns, and over 30 entire counties.
This time around, we provided our volunteers with additional training and resources so they could ensure that their riders would be prepared to vote when they arrived at their polling place, making sure they had an ID acceptable for voting and (if they needed to register at the polls) a proof of residence document as well.
As we head into the 2018 midterm election, we are back at it, once again identifying and recruiting organizations and individuals statewide who are willing to offer free rides to the polls during early voting, on Election Day, or both. The first version of our list is now live. Check back regularly, as we will be updating our list when more volunteers and organizations are added.
And please share this list widely; the whole point is to let folks know that if they need a ride, help is available.
Want to do more?
Join our team of volunteer drivers – or let us know of any organizations in your area offering this service! Send an email to Sandra Miller at smiller@commoncause.org to learn more.
Remember, we're all in this together. So let's do what we can to make sure the voices of all eligible Wisconsin voters are heard at the ballot box this fall.
Contact:
Sandra Miller
Director of Information Services & Outreach
608/658-2109
smiller@commoncause.org
Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 W. Johnson St., Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
Want Good Government?
Join Common Cause in Wisconsin!
www.CommonCauseWisconsin.org
Read More...
Intro only...
For Release: Tuesday - October 2, 2018
73 Democratic, 2 Republican State Legislative Candidates Back "Iowa Model"
Since CC/WI
announced on August 30th that we would be posting the names of all "pro-active" November 2018 election state legislative and statewide candidates who support non-partisan redistricting reform, and specifically, the "Iowa Plan," we have heard from, or know of, 75 state legislative and two statewide candidates (
Tony Evers and
Doug La Follette) who do so.
A total of 75 Democratic candidates and two Republican candidates support this critical and needed reform measure. We have not heard from any third party candidates to date.
Here is the updated list of supporters, as of this morning, October 2nd.
There may be candidates for state office who support redistricting reform but are not yet on our radar screen.
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 by letter: CC/WI, P.O. Box 2597, Madison, WI 53701-2597.
Citizens can 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. That shows us and the voters of Wisconsin that you are "paying attention" to this issue. So no complaints that CC/WI "should have known" of your support for this reform, please!
We will update the list constantly and have published a link to it in the sidebar of our website for anyone to check to see who is on it and therefore in support of the Iowa Plan.
There is more that you can do to advance non-partisan redistricting reform in Wisconsin in the next six weeks before the November 6th election.
First, you can download and print the postcard sized information sheet with questions to ask state legislative and statewide candidates at candidate forums and to distribute to your friends and family to do the same.
Challenging candidates in person or through the media to support redistricting reform is very powerful and effective.
Second, if you haven't done so yet, please "sign" the online petition in support of the "Iowa Plan" for Wisconsin and urge friends and family to do so as well. We already have just over 4,000 "signatures" and would love to have well over 5,000 to present to the new Wisconsin Legislature, after the election, in early 2019.
Let's make ending partisan gerrymandering a central focus during this election season and finally achieve the redistricting process Wisconsin voters of all political persuasions want and deserve.
On Wisconsin!
CONTACT:
Jay Heck
608/256-2686 (office)
608/512-9363 (cell)
Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 W. Johnson St., Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
608/256-2686
Want Good Government?
Join Common Cause in Wisconsin!
www.CommonCauseWisconsin.org
Read More...
Intro only...
In response to this need, CC/WI is once again identifying and recruiting organizations and individuals statewide who are willing to offer free rides to the polls during early voting, on Election Day, or both. 
