By now you have undoubtedly heard the news, either from watching cable news channels last night or from Journal Sentinel, the Washington Post, the New York Times, or indeed any national news outlet. A draft majority opinion is poised to overturn Roe v Wade. Once the ruling is final, Wisconsin's 19th century state law banning doctors from performing most abortions will be immediately enforceable again, as it was before the 1973 landmark Roe v Wade decision. In much of the country, women will not be able to access abortions. And that's not all. Many other rights depend on the right to privacy that the Roe decision relied on but that the current court seems to believe does not have constitutional protection. Contraception may in fact be the next target of the theocrats who want to turn back the clock on women's rights.

In case you had previously doubted the meaning and importance of elections, this pending decision should settle the matter. It also MUST GALVANIZE YOU TO VOTE AND TO WORK to elect candidates who will support a national law protecting a woman's right to choose. The primary election, in which we will determine which Democrat will run against — and DEFEAT — Senator Ron Johnson, will take place on August 9. Absentee voting will begin in early July. So get yourself informed and ready to vote by attending a special two-part event Grassroots North Shore is hosting on June 5 and June 12. On June 5, Kathleen Dunn, a former NPR host, will interview the top four senate candidates: Mandela Barnes, Sarah Godlewski, Alex Lasry, and Tom Nelson. (By then, we should have information about these candidates and many others on our Elections 2022 pages.) Register for that Zoom event here. On June 12, we will hold an outdoor, in-person meet-and-greet with the four top candidates at Virmond Park in Ozaukee County. Here's the sign-up. Candidates vying to be the Lieutenant Governor nominee — David Bowen, Peng Her, and Sara Rodriguez — will also be there.

If you have not already done so, please request an absentee ballot. You can take care of that task at MyVote.Wi.gov. You can also check your registration, track your ballot so that you know your request has been received, when your ballot is mailed to you, and when the municipal clerk's office has received it. Absentee voting is safe and secure. It is also the best way to make sure you are available to help run elections, either as a poll worker (aka election inspector) or as an election observer. If you live in Milwaukee County, you can work at the polls in the city. Apply here. Or you can contact your municipal clerk to ask whether poll workers are needed in your municipality.

There are a few upcoming events of note that are not yet on the list because they're farther in the future than the list usually covers. But I want to bring them to your attention now so you can put them on your calendar. So, for those of us who live in Ozaukee County, you should know that the 6th CD Convention will take place on Sunday, May 23rd, at the La Sure Supper Club in Oshkosh. A continental breakfast and lunch will be served. Cost: $30 general fee, $25 for students, $40 at the door. The Oz Dems can send 35 delegates. This is a gateway to the state Dem convention. If you want to be considered, contact the Oz Dems to get information: (262) 423-7578.

On Thursday, May 19, the Wisconsin Justice Initiative will feature Mark Joseph Stern, staff writer at Slate, discussing the court's justices decisions, and trends and the dangerous paths the Court may be taking. Stern covers the Supreme Court and the law. Given the Court's blow to a woman's right to choose, this program is especially timely. You can register now.

The events list is modest again this week and is likely to continue to be until the primary heats up in early June. So in the meantime, you might want to send postcards to support Senator Warnock in Georgia. Activate America, with whom Grassroots North Shore worked in the 2020 election, is organizing the effort. Sign up with them. You will have to supply your own postcards and stamps so you'll need to get right on it. The primary in Georgia is on May 24. Grassroots North Shore will begin its own postcard campaign in June. Watch for it and sign up when it's time!

EVENTS

Tuesday, May 3

Reporting From Ukraine, 6:00 – 7:00pm
Newsroom Pub, 137 E. Wells St., Milwaukee
Reporter Katelyn Ferral spent a month in Ukraine boarder cities reporting for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and USA Today network. Hear about her reporting assignment that took her to multiple locations in Ukraine including Krakow, Lublin, Chelm, Medyka, Przemysl and the Budomierz border crossing. Free event. RSVP.

Wednesday, May 4

Steps Toward Campaign Finance Reform, 12:00 – 1:00pm
Virtual
This conversation will discuss the unchecked political spending made possible by the Citizens United case and practical steps toward solving the problem, including a constitutional amendment. Free event. Registration is required. More information.

LWV Fair Courts: Racial Discrepancies in Sentencing and Representation, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Zoom Webinar
The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin will host the last webinar in the Fair Courts series featuring a discussion on racial disparities in both sentencing as well as representation on the bench and in our law schools. Retired WPR host and League member Joy Cardin will moderate the panel discussion. Audience members will have a chance to ask questions at the end. Register here.

Living Liberally Waukesha, 6:30 – 8:30pm
Club 400, 322 Williams St., Waukesha
Living Liberally Waukesha meets on the first Wednesday of the month, in the upstairs bar at Club 400. All attendees should be vaccinated and wear masks when not eating or drinking.

Saturday, May 7

Stand for Peace, 12:00 – 1:00pm
Layton Avenue & Howell Avenue, Milwaukee
Stand for Peace has resumed in-person events with masks and social distancing. Check for more information. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Tuesday, May 10

League of Women Voters: Media Relations Training, 12:00 - 1:00pm
Zoom
Wisconsin Conservation Voters and the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin are hosting a virtual media relations training for grassroots organizations and activists. Come learn how to pitch stories, build relationships with journalists, host a press conference and more! REGISTER.

Drinking Liberally MKE, 6:30 - 7:30pm
Zoom
Drinking Liberally MKE will be virtual during the winter months. More information. Zoom link.

350 Milwaukee Virtual Meeting, 7:00 - 8:30pm
Online
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 usually meets every month on the second Tuesday. Check the following link for information on whether a meeting will occur. More information.

Saturday, May 14

UN Association of MKE, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Online
More information.

Stand for Peace, 12:00 – 1:00pm
Bluemound/Hwy 100
Stand for Peace has resumed in-person events with masks and social distancing. Check for more information. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

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Ozaukee County Democratic Party

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