Our Spring 2020 Endorsements page is now up. On it you will see that we have endorsed Judge Jill Karofsky for Wisconsin State Supreme Court. We also have endorsed in two races for Circuit Court Judge in Milwaukee County. And we recommend voting YES on the Milwaukee County advisory referendum promoting a nonpartisan process for drawing new electoral maps in 2021. We have made no recommendation on the statewide, binding referendum on criminal justice reform.

We also have links to information about the two candidates for Milwaukee County Executive.

Check it out!

Grassroots North Shore proudly endorses the following people and referenda in the Spring 2020 Non-partisan election:

• Judge Jill Karofsky for Wisconsin Supreme Court
  
  
• Brett Blomme for Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Branch 5
  
  
• Rebecca Kiefer for Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Branch 29
  
  
• Milwaukee County Referendum to recommend that the legislature adopt a nonpartisan process for drawing new electoral maps after the 2020 census: Vote YES

For Milwaukee County Executive, we are not endorsing anyone but we do have candidate responses to a questionnaire we sent each candidate. 

• Representative David Crowley
  
  
• Senator Chris Larson

Know something about the two candidates running in the April 7 election to be Milwaukee County Executive. State Representative David Crowley and State Senator Chris Larson have both completed answers to a short questionnaire we have sent them. You can read them on our site.

Grassroots North Shore encourages everyone to stay safe and vote by mail. To do this, use your smartphone (a cell phone that has a camera and an internet connection) to access myvote.wi.gov. Once on the site, choose Vote Absentee. The site will walk you through the application process and will send the request form and your photo ID to the clerk of your municipality. But don't dither. The absentee ballot must be received by the municipal clerk by 8pm on April 7!

1. While he was County Executive, Abele arranged for an increase in the powers of the office. Do you plan to keep those increased powers? Why or why not?

No. Over my 12 years of public service, I demonstrated my ability and willingness to collaborate with local governments, labor unions, and citizen groups. I am committed to working with the county board as much as possible. As County Executive, I will go to the state to restore the powers of the board and ensure that there is a check and balance on the power here in Milwaukee County, we can’t risk all that power in one office. Do folks already not remember that Scott Walker was County Executive?

2. What do you consider the most important fight you have to lead as CE, including the biggest financial, health, and social issues? How do you plan to accomplish this?

First, we’ll state on day one by coordinating in the effort to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. That may take weeks if not months and it’s essential we succeed to save lives. After that, we will work to jump start the economy to get as many of our neighbors back to work as possible. I will dedicate my office to finding additional revenue from private and federal grants, we need to focus on obtaining every available dollar we can to rebuild our community and jump start a new era for Milwaukee County. There’s more we can do once things calm down. From working with our public schools to offer youth apprenticeships and cheaper transit options, to coordinating with municipalities on public safety and emergency medical services. It’s crucial to have someone with experience, relationships, and knowledge to coordinate these efforts, both in crisis and after. Having been lucky enough to serve in public office for 12 years, I believe I have the experience to lead Milwaukee County forward.

3. Should we restore supervisor status to full time? Explain why or why not, and how you would implement that change.

I voted against the consolidation of power, spearheaded by Chris Abele, that stripped the local voice out of our democracy. The power grab has hurt our representation and we don’t know the full scope of it. I’m proud to have fought against further power grabs that would have allowed for parkland to be sold with limited oversight by the community. When I announced my candidacy, I made sure my first pledge was to not sell any of our parks. We need to restore democracy and I’m open to making sure there is a clear check and balance restored so no future executive can hurt our community without first talking to the community.

4. Why do you consider yourself the best candidate for the Milwaukee County Executive position?

I’ve lived in MKE my whole life. I'm running to make sure that we've got somebody who's looking out ahead for all of us. Otherwise, we're at real risk of just continuing down the same downward spiral we’ve been on of cuts and pitting one priority against another while letting a brighter future slip away. It comes from a different ideology, which is that I think of government as a community. Or, more directly, as a family. What we do as a community is work toward big goals we never would be able to do alone: like build roads, maintain parks, and run a transit system. At the same time, we take care of each other when it’s needed because we hope that there will be folks to take care of us when we need it. It’s the everyday things you do to help out your neighbors. Things like shoveling your elderly neighbor’s sidewalk. You do it because it’s the right thing to do and if you weren't able to get out and shovel, you’d hope that your neighbor would do it for you. I believe that caring for others starts in your home and extends to your block, then out to your neighborhood. If we start thinking about our county in this way, then we look at each other not as strangers but as neighbors. In one neighborhood. Because that’s what we are: 952,085 neighbors who picked the greatest place in the world to live. If we can do that, it becomes a whole lot easier to tackle our biggest problems: Ending family homelessness once and for all. Getting dedicated funding for transit so folks can get to jobs. Revitalizing our amazing park system so everyone has a place to relax and breath easy. Strengthening our public schools so every child has access to a quality education. Serving and protecting all of our seniors. Ending institutional racism and bridging the divide so we’re no longer the most segregated community in the country. We can do this together. I’m Chris Larson, I’m your neighbor, and I’m asking for your vote to be your Milwaukee County Executive.

1. While he was County Executive, Abele arranged for an increase in the powers of the office. Do you plan to keep those increased powers? Why or why not?

I will be a County Executive who puts the people of Milwaukee County first. Any decision I make regarding the powers of the County Executive’s office will be made with the best interests of the people of Milwaukee County in mind. I will take time to thoroughly assess the balance of power between the County Executive’s office and the County Board. It is critically important for the County Executive to have a healthy relationship with the County Board. I will immediately work to repair this damaged relationship and put decision making authority in the best place to improve the quality of life for Milwaukee County residents.

2. What do you consider the most important fight you have to lead as CE, including the biggest financial, health, and social issues? How do you plan to accomplish this?

As County Executive, I will be stepping into a highly complex pandemic containment and risk mitigation plan. I will communicate clearly to Milwaukee County residents about the state of the situation and make sure all necessary precautions are taken. These efforts will be closely coordinated with federal, state, and local public safety and public health officials. I will lean on infectious disease experts to help guide our decision making. Milwaukee County needs leaders who are calm in times of crisis and I will be that sort of level headed leader. Additionally, we need to do everything we can to bring in the financial resources Milwaukee County needs to provide high quality services to our residents. To do that, I will advocate for changes in the state’s shared revenue formula, champion the 1% sales tax, and create an office dedicated to seeking out federal, state, and foundation grants.

3. Should we restore supervisor status to full time? Explain why or why not, and how you would implement that change.

I believe our community deserves full time representation and I would support that change. However, restoring supervisor status to full time would require a change in state law and given the present composition of the legislature, that seems extremely unlikely. Given those circumstances, I would encourage the County Board to adopt evening meetings to allow board members to maintain additional employment and expand the pool of individuals able to serve on our County Board.

4. Why do you consider yourself the best candidate for the Milwaukee County Executive position?

I believe that my life and work experiences uniquely qualify me to be the next Milwaukee County Executive. Growing up in an economically struggling family in Milwaukee, I know what it’s like to be reliant on County services and what that really means to people. I know the struggles that many people in Milwaukee County face everyday because I have experienced those exact same struggles myself. I have built my reputation as a legislator on being a bridge builder. During my time in the legislature, I have been able to work with members of both parties to get things done. If we are going to move Milwaukee County forward we must be able to work with everyone. We can both elect a progressive and elect someone who can effectively champion our needs with those who aren’t already on our side.

Revised: 3/26/2020 at 3:15 pm. Please note that it is now likely that there will be no open polling places on Election Day, April 7, 2020, at least in the City of Milwaukee. The only sure way to vote is to vote by mail with an absentee ballot. The rules for acquiring an absentee ballot have changed slightly to make it somewhat easier to obtain.

The coronavirus has disrupted most things, but our April 7 election remains on the schedule. You can of course show up at the polls on election day to cast your ballot (you can see a sample ballot and find your polling place at myvote.wi.gov) but you would be doing poll workers and yourself a huge favor if instead you vote by mail, using an absentee ballot.  

There are TWO steps you have to perform:

1. Request that your municipal clerk send you an absentee ballot.
2. Fill out and mail the ballot back so that it arrives by 8pm on April 7 (otherwise your vote will not count).

To request an absentee ballot, you have to fill out a form. There are two routes you can take. The first is online.

1. Use a computer or a smartphone and a browser to go to myvote.wi.gov.
2. Click "Vote Absentee". 
3. Fill in your name and date of birth in the online application to check your registration status. 
4. Click the button "Request an Absentee Ballot" on the screen that displays your name, address, and registration status. 
5. Fill in the form requesting an absentee ballot. You can choose to request an absentee ballot for the April 7, 2020 election only or you can choose to request an absentee ballot for the August 11 election and the November 3 election as well. The request form may require you to upload a picture of your photo ID. Try to comply. If you cannot, go to the next step.
6. Choose the box that says that you are "indefinitely confined." The coronavirus has rendered that statement true for everyone but do upload a picture of your photo ID if you are able to do so. If you are not able to upload a photo, choosing the box for indefinitely confined means that you will no longer need to provide a photo ID with your request form.
7. The site will automatically send the request to your municipal clerk.

The second route is to print a copy of the form yourself. Once you have a copy, fill it out, and choose the box that says you're indefinitely confined if you are having a problem photographing and or printing a photo of your photo ID. Then mail the form to your municipal clerk. You can find a pdf of the request form on the site of the Wisconsin Election Commission. When you are filling out the form, we suggest that you request an absentee ballot for all elections for the remainder of 2020. You'll find that selection in box 6 of the form. You can find the mail address for your municipal clerk at myvote.wi.gov. Choose "Find My Polling Place". On the lefthand side of the screen you will see the name and some contact information for your municipal clerk. Clicking on the "More Information" button will bring up the mailing address.

As of March 19, Bayside and Whitefish Bay are sending forms to request an absentee ballot to every registered voter! Some other communities may be doing the same. And if Wisconsin takes steps now to have all votes by mail, we can heave a sigh of relief and avoid the risk of being contaminated at the polls or spreading the virus to others there. Wouldn't that be a good thing?

You can read the text of Milwaukee County Clerk George Christianson's memo:

Grassroots North Shore is proud to announce its 

Endorsement of Judge Jill Karofsky for Wisconsin Supreme Court

The nonpartisan general election of 2020 is April 7. Early voting in most North Shore communities will begin by March 23 (in a few communities it will begin earlier -- check with your village or city administration. It will end on April 3 at 5pm. Before you go to the polls -- either for early voting or on election day -- be sure to check your registration, polling place and sample ballot: myvote.wi.gov.

The only statewide race on your ballot will be the one for Wisconsin State Supreme Court. The candidates are Dan Kelly (incumbent and Walker appointee), and Jill Karofsky, judge on the Circuit Court of Wisconsin. You can read our endorsement of Judge Karofsky and her answers to our Grassroots North Shore Questionnaire. You can also visit the the website and Facebook page for Karofsky's campaign. We urge our supporters to vote for Karofsky. She is the only progressive in this race.

Our Elections 2020 page provides some information about early voting in many North Shore communities, including phone numbers to reach your community's administration. It would be prudent to call to make sure, but most early voting for the nonpartisan election on April 7, 2020, will take place at the city or village hall. So please vote in this election and in all subsequent elections this year!

In addition to the April 7 election, Wisconsin will hold two more: the partisan primary on August 11 and the general election on November 3. Mark your calendars for subsequent dates now so that you don't forget to vote. (If you know you are going to be out of town or otherwise unable to vote early in person or go to the polls on election day, you can always request a mail-in ballot at myvote.wi.gov.)

Judge Jill Karofsky is a fair and experienced judge who shares our Wisconsin values. She is the only candidate in this race with a record of holding criminals accountable. As a trial court judge, a prosecutor, and a victim advocate, she knows how important it is to bring both criminals and corrupt politicians to justice.

As our next Supreme Court Justice, we can trust Jill Karofsky to follow the rule of law and apply the constitution honestly and fairly to critical issues, like gerrymandering, women’s rights, labor rights, and environmental rights.

The people of Wisconsin deserve a Supreme Court that is guided by the rule of law, not a partisan, special interest agenda. That’s why we must support Jill Karofsky’s people-powered campaign and return justice to our state.

Jill Karofsky Questionaire 

1. What would be your primary concerns for “the state of the state”?

   I’m running for the Supreme Court because I want to help get our state’s judicial system back on track. Unfortunately, some Supreme Court Justices are concerned with their political agenda, and seem to have no problem getting support from special interests, and then ruling in favor of those special interests, often discarding long-held precedent and using convoluted logic to achieve their ends. I don’t think Justices should see themselves on one political team or another, and the people of Wisconsin are sick of judges who act like politicians. We need leaders who will put our strong Wisconsin political tradition of independent and honest courts first.

   In my almost 30 years as an attorney, I’ve worked as a local prosecutor, as the state’s first Violence Against Women prosecutor, as Director of the State Office of Crime Victim Services, as a civil attorney, and at the National Conference of Bar Examiners; I’ve also taught at the University of Wisconsin Law School.

   I believe in strong public schools and infrastructure, protecting our beautiful natural resources, and treating everyone with respect. Everyone deserves dignity as a human being, regardless of race, ethnicity, or documented status. We live in a time when extremist political forces seek to roll back the advances in civil rights we’ve made in the last few generations; I want to continue to defend the rights of all Wisconsinites.

2. What in your past work or which specific case(s) contributed most to the kind of judge you would be?

   I was Wisconsin’s first Violence Against Women resource prosecutor, and later was head of the state’s Office of Crime Victim Services. I received the “Outstanding Victim Advocate” Award from the Wisconsin Victim Witness Association, and the “Voices of Courage Award” from the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

   I was especially affected by a case in which I made a mistake. When I was a local prosecutor, I signed off on issuing charges against a rape victim who the police said was making up her story. It turned out that she was telling the truth, and not only did I apologize to her both publicly and privately, she and I have gone around the state to help train law enforcement on how to engage the right way with victims, so other victims don’t face the problems she did. I’m proud to say she’s now a friend and I’ve earned her endorsement, even though her experience was one we’d never want to repeat for anyone else.

3. What judicial groups do you participate in?

   Helping guide judges to be well-trained and independent, and ensure fair and equitable procedure -- Wisconsin State Courts Judicial Education Committee, James E. Doyle Inns of Court (judicial participant), Wisconsin Judicial Council Appellate Procedure Committee (Ad Hoc Member).

   Addressing violence against women and children and supporting crime victims -- Wisconsin State Courts Violence Against Women Act STOP Grant Advisory Committee (Chair), Wisconsin Attorney General’s Child Maltreatment Task Force,Wisconsin Governor’s Council on Domestic Abuse, Wisconsin Legislative Council Study Committee on Criminal Penalties, Wisconsin Child Abuse Network Leadership Committee, Wisconsin Violence Against Women Act Advisory Committee,Wisconsin Attorney General’s Statewide Sexual Assault Response Team (Co-Chair),Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board, Wisconsin Child Death Review Council, Wisconsin Task Force on Children in Need, Wisconsin Crime Victims Council.

   Engaged in my community and my children’s schools -- Madison Metropolitan School District Guiding Coalition Committee, Wisconsin Celebrate Children Foundation Board of Directors, Woodland Montessori School Personnel Committee, Safe Harbor of Dane County, Inc. Board of Directors (Treasurer 2003), Safe Harbor of Dane County Run for Kids Race Director, and more. I have a long history of engagement in the legal profession -- Dane County Bar Association, University of Wisconsin Law School Friends of LEO Mentorship Program, James E. Doyle Inns of Court.

4. What professional experience and/or point of view do you have that makes you the best choice for the WI Supreme Court?

   I am the only candidate in this race with experience as a trial court judge. This training is invaluable because every day I am reminded of how important each individual case is to those involved. The law is not an esoteric exercise when it is YOUR life that is impacted by a decision. I cannot think of a more important training ground for a Supreme Court Justice.

   I also have far more experience in the courtroom than my opponents, and I’m the only candidate who has both significant criminal AND civil experience, and who was ever a prosecutor or victim advocate.I have been a dedicated advocate for victims and the rights of all Wisconsin residents throughout my career. I am currently a Circuit Court Judge in Dane County. Before becoming a judge, I served as Executive Director of the Wisconsin Office of Crime Victim Services at the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Previously, I was an Assistant Attorney General, serving as the state’s first Violence Against Women Resource Prosecutor, and an assistant and deputy district attorney in Dane County, prosecuting felonies and misdemeanors. I also worked as general counsel for the National Conference of Bar Examiners, and have served as an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin Law School, teaching about victims in the criminal justice system and trial advocacy. I have both attended and presented at legal trainings at the local, state and national level.

   Judges are no longer concerned about the appearance of corruption, taking support from special interests and then ruling consistently in their favor to advance a political agenda, despite the law and precedent. I’m ready to help restore honor and dignity to the courts, following the rule of law, applying the constitution in a fair and even-handed manner to today’s world, and ensuring everyone is heard, and treated with respect and dignity.

The only statewide race in this election is for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The candidates are Jill Karofsky (Judge on the ) and Dan Kelly (incumbent). Each Supreme Court member serves a ten-year term. Grassroots North Shore has a candidate statement available for review for Judge Jill Karofsky.

Early Voting Information*

for the primary on 2/18 and the general on 4/7

You can register online before the April 7 election until March 17. You can also register at the polls, whether you use in-person absentee processes or you go to the polls on election day. Information about what documents you need to register and what you need to vote are available here. You can check and update your registration, find your polling place, and see a sample ballot for your location at myvote.wi.gov. We urge you to do so well ahead of election day!

* Early voting (aka in-person absentee voting) generally takes place for the two weeks prior to the week of the primary or general election, ending on the Friday before election day. In what are expected to be low turnout elections, most communities do not extend the early voting period. By law, polling places for early voting stay open until 5pm on the last Friday before election day.

* Because the April 7 general election is also the Presidential Preference Primary, turnout is likely to be higher than usual for a spring, nonpartisan election. This page will be updated for communities that extend the early voting period for the April 7 election. 

In Wisconsin, 2020 will bring FOUR regularly scheduled elections and TWO special elections (a primary and a general election for US Representative in the 7th Congressional District). It will be an incredibly important and incredibly busy year for Grassroots North Shore. And, we hope, for all of our supporters.

Here's what's coming up:

• General election for Nonpartisan offices and the Presidential Preference primary, April 7
• General election for the special election for US Representative, May 12 
• Primary for the Partisan Fall election, August 11
• General Partisan Election, November 3

Grassroots North Shore will provide information on early (in-person absentee) voting for each community in the North Shore and Ozaukee County. You can check your own registration and see a sample ballot for each election at myvote.wi.gov.

Grassroots North Shore has endorsed Judge Jill Karofsky for Wisconsin Supreme Court. We are not endorsing in the race for Milwaukee County Executive but we are posting an informational questionnaire for the two candidates: State Senator Chris Larson and State Representative David Crowley.

If we want the court-ordered redistricting process to end partisan gerrymandering in Wisconsin, we will have to orchestrate a public outcry about the secretive and hyper-partisan way district lines were drawn in 2011 (the map the court found to be unconstitutional).

We will have to insist—loudly and publicly and as often as possible—that the new maps must be drawn in an inclusive and transparent way, with bipartisan and nonpartisan input and with public hearings held in locations around the state so as many citizens as possible can participate and be heard.

Do your part and sign up to work to end partisan gerrymandering in Wisconsin NOW.

When wishing and hoping are not enough to make change, you have to take IMMEDIATE ACTION.

Current and Ongoing Actions

Consult our page of Resistance Resources

Take one of a myriad of actions to Defend Democracy

Download Ward Flyers for canvassing and registering voters