Good news, everyone! The Democratic Party of Wisconsin's Organizing Director, Anna Surrey, has agreed to support our current effort to contact people on the original voter purge list. That's the list of 200,000+ names that the Wisconsin Election Commission had identified as having moved, having changed a name, or simply having neglected to vote for several elections in a row. The purge list was apparently compiled in fall 2019, but was not intended to be executed until after the November 3, 2020, election. However, the GOP challenged that decision in court and the case has gone to the Wisconsin Supreme Court where a decision is pending. Meanwhile, we see this as a terrific opportunity to reach out to voters, make sure they have re-registered (or at least check their registration status), and urge them to request an absentee ballot for the August 11 primary AND the November 3 general election.

For the seven North Shore communities, the research part of the voter purge protection project is well under way. We don't need any more people to look the names up in VAN to find out whether they have been identified by likely party and to find a phone number for them. We may need a few more people who are willing to call and leave a message or talk to the person on the list. We can then update information in VAN, making the lists we use to send postcards and to call voters for the two upcoming elections much better. So please, if you can reach out to people in our communities, sign up on our website.

The Democratic Party of Milwaukee County will be launching its version of this project in the next week or so. And it needs plenty of volunteers. There are more than 52,000 names on the list after those in the North Shore communities have been taken care of. I've already sent a list of names and contact info to the party to make VAN accounts for about 28 people who have volunteered with the party. But with so many people to find, the party is going to need a lot more help. So please sign up for the DPMC effort also.

I don't know about you, but my husband and I are still much safer at home. So we have plenty of time to watch edifying fims on TV. Slay the Dragon is one of them. The film addresses a number of issues with gerrymandering (the practice of designing electoral districts to make them as uncompetitive as possible). Arguably, this practice has essentially led to minority rule in this state for an entire decade. Even when Democrats get a substantial majority of the votes in elections for the State Assembly, as they did in 2018, Republicans retain 2/3 of the seats. This whole week the film is available to us for free. At the end of the week, you can talk with a number of Wisconsin luminaries about how we can end gerrymandering in Wisconsin. But to get a viewing time, you have to sign up. You will also receive a reminder about the panel discussion on Saturday, May 30, at 4pm.

The events list is a little fuller than it has been in the last month or so. And there are still several events that have apparently been suspended and not resumed even though the Safer at Home order was lifted two weeks ago. There may also be a few events that are taking place in person. If you decide to go to such an event, make sure you can do so safely. The CDC recommends that we all wear masks in public, that we maintain at least 6 feet of clear space between us and other people, and that we practice good hand hygiene whenever we leave the house to run errands or to meet with others.

EVENTS

Tue May 26, 2020

Online Meeting: Strengthening the VA, 7pm - 8pm
Zoom
Strengthening the VA in the Era of COVID-19: Suzanne Gordon, award-winning author, patient advocate, and expert on VA health care, will explore the mission of the VA health service in a time of pandemic, plus the move to privatize care for veterans and harassment of VA workers by the Trump administration. Join the meeting. Meeting ID: 795 3109 5949 - Password: 2P4Ft2.

Wed May 27, 2020

Online: DPW Chair Wikler/Sen. Brian Schatz, 4pm - 5pm
Zoom
This special event will feature a conversation between Sen. Brian Schatz, Senior Senator from Hawaii, and DPW Chair Ben Wikler. Receive your personal link to join this Zoom event by donating any amount to the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.

Info: Refuel the Resistance, 6pm - 8pm
Bounce Milwaukee, 2801 S. 5th Ct., Milwaukee
This event is canceled for now. Bounce is currently open for delivery and carryout. More information.

Canceled: Drinking Liberally Glendale, 6:30pm - 9pm
Bavarian Bierhaus, 700 W. Lexington Blvd., Glendale
Bavarian Bierhaus is closed for now and Drinking Liberally is canceled until further notice. Drinking Liberally Glendale meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month. A monthly meetup to eat, drink, and talk politics with like-minded people. More information.

Drinking Liberally Port Washington, 6:30pm - 8pm
Schooner Pub, 114 N Franklin St, Port Washington
No additional information available.

Thu May 28, 2020

Info: Mental Health Board Meeting, 4:30pm - 4:30pm
TBA
This meeting is presumed to be canceled. Milwaukee County Mental Health Board Meeting. More information.

Online: Baldwin/Barnes/Mason, 6pm - 7pm
Online
Wisconsin Organizing Together will present a discussion between Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes, and Racine Mayor Cory Mason to highlight those who are taking action to find solutions and connect and engage our volunteers as leaders. Register to get streaming information.

Sat May 30, 2020

Info: Stand for Peace, 12pm - 1pm
Suspended
In light of the governor's Stay at Home Order, Peace Action Stands for Peace have been suspended until the order is lifted. Stand for peace in the streets of Milwaukee, every Saturday at noon. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Mon Jun 1, 2020

Virtual Drinking Liberally Waukesha, 6:30pm - 6:30pm
Zoom
Drinking Liberally Waukesha may be held virtually with Zoom. Check for updates.

Wed Jun 3, 2020

Info: Refuel the Resistance, 6pm - 8pm
Bounce Milwaukee, 2801 S. 5th Ct., Milwaukee
This event is canceled for now. Bounce is currently open for delivery and carryout. More information.

Emily Siegrist Virtual Fundraiser, 7pm - 8pm
Zoom
Please join the virtual fundraiser for Emily Siegrist, candidate for Assembly in District 24 (against Dan Knodl). A special guest will be the newly elected Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson.To RSVP, please contact [email protected]. To join the fundraiser, please use Zoom link. To donate to Emily’s campaign, please use this link.

Thu Jun 4, 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.

Sat Jun 6, 2020

Online Forum: DACA Recipients/Asylum Seekers, 10am - 11:30am
Zoom
The League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County will sponsor a forum on current realities for DACA recipients and asylum seekers, moderated by Kathleen Dunn. Speakers: Erin Barbato, Immigrant Justice Clinic, UW-Madison Law School; Uzoamaka Emeka Nzelibe, Immigration Law Clinic, Northwestern University Law School; Aissa Olivarez, Community Immigration Law Center, Madison. Registration.

Info: Stand for Peace, 12pm - 1pm
Suspended
In light of the governor's Stay at Home Order, Peace Action Stands for Peace have been suspended until the order is lifted. Stand for peace in the streets of Milwaukee, every Saturday at noon. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Mon Jun 8, 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.