Earlier this Summer, Common Cause in Wisconsin (CC/WI) e-mailed every Republican, Democratic and Independent candidate for the Wisconsin State Senate and Assembly that was placed on the ballot for the upcoming August 13th partisan primary 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. Two days following the e-mail message to candidates, July 10th, 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 publicly support nonpartisan redistricting reform and this fair voting maps pledge supported by the wide array of state organizations of the Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition:
I support passing legislation during the 2025 legislative session and enacting into law the requirement that Wisconsin adopt an independent nonpartisan redistricting process to ensure that no political party can create state legislative or congressional voting districts to favor their own political party nor be able to gerrymander Wisconsin’s voting maps in the future.
As of today, CC/WI has been contacted by 11 Wisconsin state legislative candidates for the State Senate and 61 candidates for the Assembly who have advanced beyond the August 13th partisan primary election and are on the ballot for the upcoming November 5th general election. And thank you to the voters who have encouraged their candidates to contact CC/WI about supporting the pledge. Here is the complete, up-to-date listing of those supportive candidates that have proactively contacted CC/WI to have their names listed.
Any statewide or state legislative candidate (or their authorized proxy) who supports the fair voting maps pledge and would like to see their name listed on our site should contact CC/WI by phone at (608) 512-9363 (leave a message), or preferably, by email: jheck@commoncause.org. Citizens can and should urge candidates to support the non-partisan redistricting reform pledge and request that they contact CC/WI to get their names added to this list.
Candidates must be proactive to have their names appear on this site! Even incumbent legislators running for re-election who co-sponsored redistricting reform legislation during previous legislative sessions 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 nonpartisan redistricting reform pledge for Wisconsin will continue to be linked on our dedicated Common Cause Wisconsin webpage and updated regularly until the November 5th general election. This listing will continue to inform the voters and media about who supports nonpartisan redistricting reform as voters make decisions for this pivotal 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, let’s 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.
On Wisconsin!
Jay Heck, Executive Director
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It’s no exaggeration to say that this has been one of the most eventful political Summers in memory and it’s not even over yet. Today, we the people can actively begin to weigh in and shape the future of our state, our nation and our lives by exercising the most powerful act of citizenship that each and every one of us possesses: our vote.
Today is primary election day in Wisconsin. For all eligible voters in our state, this is an important preliminary election in which we strengthen our voting “muscle” in preparation for the “main event,” the November 5th general election. This fall, across the nation, the very future of democracy and representative government – the 235-year-old American “experiment” about self-determination – is quite literally on the line.
On Primary Election Day, we “set the table” for what happens in just 84 days from now. And the best way to prepare for November 5th is to vote and have our voices heard today.
Here are the things to know to successfully cast your ballot. Think of these things as a checklist to go through to ensure you have completed all the necessary steps to get this done right.
If you have a mail-in absentee ballot that was mailed to you and you have not returned it yet, be sure to return your completed ballot. Contact your clerk to find out where you can hand-deliver your ballot today. All ballots need to be received no later than 8pm today – Election Day. Remember to follow all instructions to complete the ballot, and the voter and witness information on the envelope. More information about your absentee ballot can be found here.
If you are planning to vote in person at the polls today, read the information below so you are prepared when you show up to vote at your polling location. All polls in Wisconsin are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
You can register to vote on Election Day at your voting location. Being registered to vote means being registered at your current address. But if you moved within 28 days of Election Day, you must register and vote using your previous address. Check to see if you are registered to vote at your current address. If you are not registered, be sure to bring a proof of residence document (hard copy or electronic version on your cell phone or tablet) when you go to the polls.
You are required to show a specific form of photo ID in order to 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 Wisconsin Elections Commission list at Bring It to the Ballot to make sure you have what you need.
What if you don't have an acceptable ID for voting today?
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 today OR bring your ID to your municipal clerk's office by 4:00 PM the Friday after the primary election (Friday, August 16th).
Wisconsin is an “open” primary state. That means that Wisconsin does not require voters to register with a party, and voters can choose their party preference on the ballot when they vote. BUT, keep in mind when casting your partisan primary ballot, you must only choose one party and you must only vote for candidates of that party on this ballot. Read the ballot instructions carefully. Visit the Wisconsin Elections Commission's What's on My Ballot page and type in your address to see a sample ballot.
🚨Note also that there are two constitutional ballot questions on this August primary ballot which you can and should vote on regardless of what partisan candidates you vote for. Common Cause Wisconsin recommends you vote “NO” on both constitutional ballot questions.
Get more information on the candidates
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.
You can find the list of 2024 Wisconsin State Senate and Assembly candidates who support the nonpartisan redistricting pledge for Wisconsin that Common Cause Wisconsin is tracking here.
Polling places can change. 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. This year in particular voting locations may have changed since new districts were drawn after the redistricting process.
Beyond the resources of your municipal clerk, help is just a call, text, or email away.
That covers it! Please get out there and exercise your precious franchise to choose the candidates you wish to see elected and to decide public policy issues that you believe are in the best interest for you, your family and your community. It’s your voice and your power as a citizen and it counts and matters as much as anybody else’s voice and power. So, use it!
On Wisconsin. Forward!
Sincerely,
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On July 8th, Common Cause in Wisconsin (CC/WI) e-mailed every Republican, Democratic and Independent candidate for the Wisconsin State Senate and Assembly that was placed on the ballot for the upcoming August 13th partisan primary election, inviting them to pro-actively contact us to inform us of their support nonpartisan redistricting reform and if they wished to have their names listed publicly on our website.
Two days following the e-mail message to candidates, July 10th, 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 publicly support nonpartisan redistricting reform and this fair maps pledge supported by the wide array of state organizations of the Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition:
I support passing legislation during the 2025 legislative session and enacting into law the requirement that Wisconsin adopt an independent nonpartisan redistricting process to ensure that no political party can create state legislative or congressional voting districts to favor their own political party nor be able to gerrymander Wisconsin’s voting maps in the future.
As of today, CC/WI has been contacted by 13 Wisconsin state legislative candidates for the State Senate and 76 candidates for the Assembly. Here is the complete, up-to-date listing of those supportive candidates that have proactively contacted CC/WI to have their names listed.
As we have done during every state legislative election year since 2014, CC/WI wants to make it simple and easy for Wisconsin voters and media to be able to see which state legislative candidates support non-partisan redistricting reform legislation that will be devised in its final form and introduced in 2025 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 fair voting maps pledge and would like to see their name listed on our site should contact CC/WI by phone at (608) 512-9363 (leave a message), or preferably, by email: jheck@commoncause.org. Citizens can and should urge candidates to support the non-partisan redistricting reform pledge and request that they contact CC/WI to 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 redistricting reform legislation during previous legislative sessions 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 nonpartisan redistricting reform pledge for Wisconsin will continue to be linked on our dedicated Common Cause Wisconsin webpage and updated regularly until the August 13th primary election. The winners in that primary will continue to have their names listed on this site to continue to inform the voters and media about who supports nonpartisan redistricting reform as voters make decisions for the November 5th general 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, let’s 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.
On Wisconsin!
Jay Heck, CC/WI Executive Director
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Common Cause in Wisconsin (CC/WI)
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