The partisan primary is a week from today. If you have already received your absentee ballot, you should return it through one of the drop boxes most of our North Shore and Ozaukee communities provide. The US Postal Service is experiencing significant delays, at least in Philadelphia and perhaps around the country. The new Postmaster General may be slowing the mail through his new cost-cutting policies, as he says, or he may be having that effect in order to please Drumpf by disrupting voting by mail. Or both. It hardly matters. Absentee voting is still the safest way for your voice to be heard, but in order to be counted your ballot must reach your election officials by 8pm on Tuesday, August 11. So instead of mailing your ballot back in the envelope provided, take your ballot sealed in its certification envelope with its witness signature and address to the drop box for your municipality. Here's a list of locations.

North Shore in Milwaukee County

Getting your absentee ballot returned safely isn't the only thing to think about this week. If you did not receive an absentee ballot, you can vote by what's known as "early voting" or "in-person absentee voting" until 5pm on Friday, August 6. If for some reason you miss that opportunity, then your last option is to vote on Election Day. Polls are open from 7am to 8pm. If you're not sure you know where your polling place for this primary is, myvote.wi.gov will provide you with that information.

If you still need to register to vote — you can and should check your registration status at myvote.wi.gov — you will need to take required material with you either when you vote early in person or when you go to the polls on Election Day. You will need proof of residency and proof of identity (aka PhotoID).

In Covid-19 news, Governor Evers declared a public health emergency and has ordered masks to be worn statewide. Republicans are threatening to overturn it. I'm not sure why they want the virus to spread, especially to voters outside Milwaukee County, but that's the state of play as of today. There's lots of other news to review, but it will have to wait until next week! Right now, VOTE and get engaged. You'll find plenty of opportunities in the Events list.

EVENTS

Wed Aug 5, 2020

Newsmaker: Marcelia Nicholson, 12pm - 1pm
Online
Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson will be the featured guest at the virtual Newsmaker Lunch Hour presented by the Milwaukee Press Club and WisPolitics.com. She will field questions from a panel of journalists. Free virtual webinar. Those who register will receive a link on the morning of the event to view it live. Registration (required).

US Supreme Ct / Major Decisions, 12pm - 1pm
Online
Major Decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court’s Recent Term, discussed by Scott Idleman, Professor, Marquette Law School. Free virtual program, open to the community. Registration (required).

Info: Refuel the Resistance, 6pm - 8pm
Bounce Milwaukee, 2801 S. 5th Ct., Milwaukee
Refuel the Resistance is canceled for now, but Bounce is currently open for delivery and carryout. And check out "Apocalypse Drive-In," when movies are shown every Friday and Saturday in the parking lot and food and beverages can be brought out to your car. Much more information on how this new program works is here.

Info: Laughing Liberally MKE, 8:30pm - 9:30pm
Online
On the first and third Wednesday of every month, host Matthew Filipowicz and a different Laughing Liberally MKE comedian will discuss and joke about a news story, and talk a bit about the craft of comedy, or a new Laughing Liberally MKE sketch will be released. This week's offering is "A Response to Federal Agents Snatching Up Portland Protesters." See it here.

Thu Aug 6, 2020

Postponed: DPMC Issues Committee Meeting, 4:30pm - 4:30pm
Amalgamated Transit Union, 734 N. 26th St., Milwaukee
The Democratic Party's Issues Committee holds its meeting on the first Thursday of each month. All Democrats are welcome to participate.

August Weekend of Action Kick-off Orientation, 7pm - 8pm
Zoom
Join us in kicking off our weekend of action here in Mequon, Thiensville, and Germantown! We'll be making important phone calls to local voters, which can sound stressful. You may have a few questions: Who do I call? What do I say? Why are we doing this? Learn the answers to these questions and more, all from the comfort of your own home! Zoom links will be provided via email prior to the event. Please reach out to Bayley Connors with any questions. Register for the Orientation.

Election Forum/AD 17, 7pm - 8pm
Radio 101.7 FM
Candidates for Assembly District 17, formerly held by David Crowley, will take part in a forum broadcast on Radio 101.7 FM in advance of the August 11 primary election. The following Democrats are running for this office: Mike Brox, Supreme Moore Omokunde, and Chris Walton.

Fri Aug 7, 2020

Election Forum/AD 8, 7pm - 8pm
Radio 101.7 FM
Candidates for Assembly District 8, formerly held by JoCasta Zamarripa, will take part in a forum broadcast on Radio 101.7 FM in advance of the August 11 primary election. The following Democrats are running for this office: Sylvia Ortiz-Velez and JoAnna Bautch.

Sat Aug 8, 2020

Weekend of Action/Phoning, 9am - 8pm
Virtual phone banks
Join us as we make calls ahead of Wisconsin's August 11 Primary! You will be making calls from home to voters to learn about the issues that are important to them and who they'll be voting for in November! Right now, these calls are the most effective thing we can do to ensure our victory in 2020. Trainings are provided at the start of every shift. First time phone bankers are welcome! Shifts will be 9am-12pm, 12pm-3pm, 3pm-6pm, and 6pm-8pm. Sign up.

On the North Shore, sign up to join a Neighborhood Action Team in your area.

In Ozaukee County, sign up here.

UN Assn of MKE, 10am - 12pm
Suspended
This meeting is suspended for the time being. More information.

Stand for Peace, 12pm - 1pm
S. 43 Street & W. Forest Home Avenue
Stand for Peace is resuming their presence with careful precautions (more information). Stand for peace in the streets of Milwaukee, every Saturday at noon. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Laughing Liberally Milwaukee, 8pm - 10pm
Podcast
During the pandemic, Laughing Liberally Milwaukee has morphed into podcasts with local comedians, to be released on the first and third Wednesday of the month. More information.

Sun Aug 9, 2020

Weekend of Action/Phoning, 12pm - 8pm
Virtual phone banks
Join us as we make calls ahead of Wisconsin's August 11 Primary! You will be making calls from home to voters to learn about the issues that are important to them and who they'll be voting for in November! Right now, these calls are the most effective thing we can do to ensure our victory in 2020. Trainings are provided at the start of every shift. First time phone bankers are welcome! Shifts will be 12pm-3pm, 3pm-6pm, and 6pm-8pm. Sign up.

On the North Shore, sign up to join a Neighborhood Action Team in your area.

In Ozaukee County, sign up here.

Mon Aug 10, 2020

Grass Roots South Shore Meeting, 6pm - 8pm
Cudahy Library, 3500 Library Dr. , Cudahy
Grass Roots South Shore holds its monthly meeting on the second Monday of each month. For more information call Jim Balk, 414-218-5944.

Tue Aug 11, 2020

Primary Election Day, 7am - 8pm
Many polling locations
If you have not voted by absentee ballot or during the early voting period, you can find your polling location at myvote.wi.gov. Be sure to wear a mask and use appropriate social distancing. But also be sure to vote!

Drinking Liberally Grafton/Mequon, 6:30pm - 8pm
Water Street Brewery, 1251 Gateway Dr. Grafton
James Santelle will offer a presentation and lead a discussion on the Current Legal Landscape.

Virtual Drinking Liberally MKE, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Zoom
Drinking Liberally MKE will get together on Zoom. More information.

350 Milwaukee Virtual Meeting, 7pm - 8:30pm
Zoom
The Zoom meeting will be about problems with Wisconsin pipelines. More information. 350 Milwaukee is part of the global organization building a grassroots movement in 188 countries to address global warming and solve the climate crisis. 350 Milwaukee meets every month on the second Tuesday.

Wed Aug 12, 2020

League of Conservation Voters Virtual Training, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Zoom sent after sign-up
Conservation voters have fought hard to win key victories for cleanwater and clean energy in Wisconsin these past few years – and we need to protect Governor Evers’ veto power to make sure those victories stand. In times like these, we can't use our normal face-to- face tactics to help candidates win. We have to get creative and go virtual. Politics is personal, and sharing our stories with the people who trust us can be more compelling when explaining why voting is important, how to register to vote, or where to find information on a pro-conservation candidate. This year, we're starting a Relational Voter Program using the Empower (MyRVP) phone app to make it as easy as possible for you to help conservationists win in November. All you have to do is download the app on your phone and enter the code: wcv. The app is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. OR you can go to getempower.com/wcv on your computer. Join us at our next training on how to effectively tell your story, how to talk to your friends and family about the November elections, and how to operate the Empower (MyRVP) app. Sign up here.

Info: Refuel the Resistance, 6pm - 8pm
Bounce Milwaukee, 2801 S. 5th Ct., Milwaukee
Refuel the Resistance is canceled for now, but Bounce is currently open for delivery and carryout. And check out "Apocalypse Drive-In," when movies are shown every Friday and Saturday in the parking lot and food and beverages can be brought out to your car. Much more information on how this new program works.

Ozaukee County Phone Banking for State Legislature Candidates, 7pm
Virtual
Join us virtually in phone banking for our three great state legislature candidates! We will have a kickoff event through Zoom at 7pm on August 12 (link to be emailed). On the call, you will hear each of the three candidates give a five-minute informative talk about their candidacy. You'll then be given instructions about accessing the phone bank(s), understanding the script, and how and when to make calls. You can make calls for candidates of your choosing on your own schedule over the next four days! To add to the fun, we will announce a prize for the volunteer making the most phone calls. The candidates are Deb Andraca for State Assembly District 23, Emily Siegrist for State Assembly District 24, and Neal Plotkin for State Senate District 8. Click here to register.

Thu Aug 13, 2020

Info: Drinking Liberally West Allis, 6:30pm - 9pm
TBA
Drinking Liberally West Allis may join the Drinking Liberally MKE virtual event. For information, check here.

Ozaukee County Phone Banking for State Legislature Candidates, 7pm
Virtual
Join us virtually in phone banking for our three great state legislature candidates! We will have a kickoff event through Zoom at 7pm on August 12 (link to be emailed). On the call, you will hear each of the three candidates give a five-minute informative talk about their candidacy. You'll then be given instructions about accessing the phone bank(s), understanding the script, and how and when to make calls. You can make calls for candidates of your choosing on your own schedule over the next four days! To add to the fun, we will announce a prize for the volunteer making the most phone calls. The candidates are Deb Andraca for State Assembly District 23, Emily Siegrist for State Assembly District 24, and Neal Plotkin for State Senate District 8. Click here to register.

Sat Aug 15, 2020

Info: NAACP Monthly Meeting, 11:30am - 1pm
2745 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Dr., Milwaukee
The NAACP meeting is probably canceled. Call 414.562.1000 for further information. Monthly membership meeting of NAACP Milwaukee Branch. The meeting is held in the basement conference room.

Stand for Peace, 12pm - 1pm
TBA
Stand for Peace is resuming their presence with careful precautions (more information). Stand for peace in the streets of Milwaukee, every Saturday at noon. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Ozaukee County Phone Banking for State Legislature Candidates, 7pm
Virtual
Join us virtually in phone banking for our three great state legislature candidates! We will have a kickoff event through Zoom at 7pm on August 12 (link to be emailed). On the call, you will hear each of the three candidates give a five-minute informative talk about their candidacy. You'll then be given instructions about accessing the phone bank(s), understanding the script, and how and when to make calls. You can make calls for candidates of your choosing on your own schedule over the next four days! To add to the fun, we will announce a prize for the volunteer making the most phone calls. The candidates are Deb Andraca for State Assembly District 23, Emily Siegrist for State Assembly District 24, and Neal Plotkin for State Senate District 8. Click here to register.

Sun Aug 16, 2020

Emily Siegrist — Social distance FUNdraiser, Cycling with the Candidate!, 2pm - 4pm
Cycling
We are excited to announce our next social distance FUNdraiser, Cycling with the Candidate! Join Emily and other supporters for a bike ride on the Oak Leaf Trail. We’ll meet at Brown Deer Park and bike to Foxtown Brewing in Mequon for a cold drink on the patio. The route is approximately 10 miles round-trip. The cost to participate is $50 per person and donations can be made here. We are excited for this fun, active outdoor event! Please email if you plan to join us!

Peace Billboard Rally, 3pm - 4pm
Wells and James Lovell St
Peace initiative event before the Democratic convention, with prominent Democratic leaders speaking on the issue at the Peace Billboard, located at the corner of Wells and James Lovell St. This will be an in-person rally (with masks and social distancing required) that will be broadcast on the internet as well.

Ozaukee County Phone Banking for State Legislature Candidates, 7pm
Virtual
Join us virtually in phone banking for our three great state legislature candidates! We will have a kickoff event through Zoom at 7pm on August 12 (link to be emailed). On the call, you will hear each of the three candidates give a five-minute informative talk about their candidacy. You'll then be given instructions about accessing the phone bank(s), understanding the script, and how and when to make calls. You can make calls for candidates of your choosing on your own schedule over the next four days! To add to the fun, we will announce a prize for the volunteer making the most phone calls. The candidates are Deb Andraca for State Assembly District 23, Emily Siegrist for State Assembly District 24, and Neal Plotkin for State Senate District 8. Click here to register.

Mon Aug 17, 2020

Democratic National Convention, All day
Online
The Democratic National Convention runs from August 17-20 with most events online. Details to be released soon.