We have lots of work to do

Today marks just two weeks until the critical spring primary. So what's on the ballot? Many people will have only the Supreme Court race to consider. That was the case for my husband and me. People in parts of Ozaukee County and Washington County, however, will also see a PARTISAN primary for the candidates vying for the nomination for the 8th Senate District. You'll have to choose whether to vote in the GOP primary, where there are several candidates, or in the Democrat's primary, where only Jodi Habush Sinykin is running.

Municipal clerks began mailing out absentee ballots on January 31. So the window to request one with a realistic chance that it will be delivered to you and then make it back to your municipal clerk by election day is quickly closing. Remember: you cannot use a drop box to return your ballot. You must put it in the mail yourself or you must personally return it to your municipal clerk. If you have not yet requested an absentee ballot and would like to do so, today is the day to go to MyVote.WI.gov. You can also see a sample ballot for your location, get contact information for your municipal clerk, look up information about early in-person voting, and find out where your polling place will be. Grassroots North Shore also offers information about early in-person voting.

If you have not yet met the progressive candidates for the Supreme Court seat or learned about their views, there are several ways you can do so.

Watch the video of A Supreme Opportunity, available on our YouTube channel in 3-5 days. You'll learn a bit about the way the current WI Supreme Court has ruled in crucial election law cases and hear from both of the progressive candidates — Judge Janet Janet Protasiewicz (pronounced pro-tuh-SAY-witz) and Judge Everett Mitchell.
Visit our Elections page devoted to the Supreme Court race. That page includes links to our questionnaire for each candidate as well as links to their websites and other social media.
Assuming that either Judge Protasiewicz or Judge Mitchell will be on the April 4 ballot, you will have a chance to meet him or her on March 12 at the Grassroots North Shore's RESCUE LADY JUSTICE event. Here's the page to RSVP. You will also get a chance to meet Jodi Habush Sinykin who will flip the 8th Senate District and block a Republican legislative supermajority, and Deb Andraca, the State Representative for the 23rd Assembly District, who showed us how that district-flipping thing works!

Now the pitch: we need more volunteers NOW, ahead of the primary. So go to our volunteer page to sign up for handing out flyers, canvassing, phoning, and more. Right now we're in need of people to go to local university and college campuses to talk to students about the importance of this primary election. In addition to signing up through our website, email Norma Gilson or call 414-588-1241. Norma will provide you with talking points and flyers. It takes about 1.5 hours of your time, weekdays from 11:15-12:30. We also need people to phone strong Democratic women in our North Shore communities and Ozaukee County. Contact Nancy Kaplan (443-465-1920), who is organizing the phoning. You'll receive a set of instructions, phone and voicemail scripts, and a call list of about 45 names. Phone from home on your own time over the next two weeks to try to drive turnout.

You can be a better-informed voter by visiting our page on the elections where we list races and provide information about candidates, organized by county and community. The page also has information about the two proposed amendments to the Wisconsin constitution as well as an advisory referendum that will appear on the April ballot. For the primary, we have information about the contested races for Alderpersons in Districts 1, 5, and 9 of Milwaukee with links to candidates' social media pages. There is a primary in each of these races. More candidate information will be available as we get closer to the April 4 election.

Now for the news. Tonight, President Biden will deliver this year's State of the Union address. There are many ways to watch it so be sure you do. And tomorrow he will be in the Madison area to tout his economic successes and plan for the future. I could not find any details about this event, making it impossible for people in the Milwaukee area to attend. It's the first time the president has visited Wisconsin since he spoke in Milwaukee on Labor Day last fall.

In case you haven't heard, legal jeopardy for The Former Guy continues to increase. Zach Schonfeld recently published this piece in The Hill: "Prospects rise for NY charges against Trump in Stormy Daniels case." In it, he notes that

"New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s latest moves suggest prosecutors are nearing a decision about charging former President Trump in connection with a $130,000 hush payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. The Manhattan district attorney’s office this week escalated the fight by empaneling another grand jury in the case and presenting witnesses."

We've heard something similar about the investigation in Georgia, where a couple of weeks ago DA Fani Willis said that charging decisions were "imminent." All I hear, though, is crickets. Of course there's plenty of other litigation targeting him. The US Department of Justice is working on some things, the Attorney General of New York has brought a civil suit (which is scheduled to go to trial in the fall), and a judge has ruled that the E. Jean Carroll rape and defamation cases against the philanderer-in-chief can go forward. At least one of these cases will go to trial in April. I can't wait!

The events list is suddenly a lot longer than it has been in a while. There are lots and lots of opportunities to volunteer there. So sign up for something.

EVENTS

Wednesday, February 8

Wisconsin Jewish Democrats Discussion of WI Supreme Court Race, 5:30 - 7:00pm
Dean and Debbie Zemel's home and via Zoom
We are excited to welcome Karen Royster, active board member of the League of Progressive Retired Seniors as she discusses the importance of the upcoming State Supreme Court Race and what we can do to ensure that a progressive candidate will win this election and join the court. So much is at stake! The State Supreme Court plays a pivotal role in addressing voter suppression, gerrymandering, women's reproductive rights and civil rights. Right now the conservatives have a majority, with the election of a Progressive Judicial Justice the balance of power will shift and the issues we care about will be addressed. Register here.

Living Liberally Waukesha, 6:30 – 8:30pm
The Tap Yard, 1150 W Sunset Drive, Waukesha
Living Liberally Waukesha meets on the first Wednesday of the month, All attendees should be vaccinated and wear masks when not eating or drinking.

Thursday, February 9

Weekday Grafton Canvass!, 3:00 - 5:00pm
1930 Wisconsin Ave, Grafton
Join the Ozaukee County Democratic Party to knock doors in Grafton in support of the open Senate District 8 seat and to turn out progressives for the Spring Primary election! We'll begin with a training on our script and the miniVAN app, and then hit the doors! Sign up.

Saturday, February 11

Fox Point Gets out the Primary!, 12:00 – 3:00pm
7632 N Beach Dr, Fox Point
Join us as we GET OUT THE VOTE in Fox Point for Jodi Sinykin and in anticipation for the upcoming Supreme Court race this Spring. Knocking on doors & talking to voters face to face is one of the most effective ways YOU can make a difference this February and April. This year is critical for our Democracy - winning in Wisconsin is VITAL! We need all hands on deck to get out the vote! Whether you are a first time volunteer or a canvassing pro, we will make sure you have everything you need. We will start the canvassing shift with training and give you all the materials you need to volunteer. The more the merrier - please feel free to bring friends & family members with you to your shift! Sign up.

Grassroots Glendale Gets out the Primary!, 12:00 – 3:00pm
6563 N Crestwood Dr, Glendale
Join us as we GET OUT THE VOTE in Glendale in anticipation for the upcoming Supreme Court primary on February 21st. Knocking on doors & talking to voters face to face is one of the most effective ways YOU can make a difference this February and April. This year is critical for our Democracy - winning in Wisconsin is VITAL! We need all hands on deck to get out the vote! Whether you are a first time volunteer or a canvassing pro, we will make sure you have everything you need. We will start the canvassing shift with training and give you all the materials you need to volunteer. The more the merrier - please feel free to bring friends & family members with you to your shift! Sign up.

Brown Deer Gets Out The Vote For The Milwaukee Primary: 3-hour shifts, 9am, 12pm, 3pm
Address with sign up
Join us as we GET OUT THE VOTE in Milwaukee in anticipation for the upcoming critical Supreme Court race and other pivotal local races this Spring! By knocking on doors and speaking to voters face to face, we have the chance to ensure a progressive future for ALL Wisconsinites and YOU can play a significant and decisive role in that. Whether you are a first time volunteer or a canvassing pro, we will make sure you have everything you need. Each canvassing shift includes a training and all the materials you need to turn out the vote! The more the merrier - don't hesitate to bring friends & family members with you to your shift! Sign up.

Get Out the Spring Primary Vote! Milwaukee East & Riverwest, 12:00 - 3:00pm
Collectivo, 2999 N Humboldt Blvd, Milwaukee
Join us in canvassing to Get Out the Vote for the extremely important Wisconsin Supreme Court race coming up this spring. It is critical that we turn out lots and lots of Democratic voters for the February 21 primary and the April 4 election. A brief training is provided at the beginning of each shift. Bring a friend to canvass with you! Sign up.

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

Laughing Liberally Milwaukee, 8:00 - 9:30pm
ComedySportz 420 S. 1st St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Laughing Liberally Milwaukee is hosted by, yours truly, comedian, cartoonist and satirist Matthew Filipowicz. Comedians on the February 11th bill include Brian Green, Vanessa Tortolano, Greg Bach, Bobby Hill and sketch comedy troupe The Accountants Of Homeland Security. In addition to some of the finest progressive comedians Milwaukee has to offer, each Laughing Liberally Milwaukee features a special interview with a local activist, journalist, or political figure. This month’s guest is Anna Dvorak from Milwaukee DSA’s campaign to replace We Energies, Power To The People. Join our Facebook group and join us for live laughs. Tickets $8.

Thursday, February 16

Friday, February 17

Understanding Wisconsin's Supreme Court Election, 10:00am - 5:00pm
University of Wisconsin Law School, 975 Bascom Mall, Rm 7200 Lubar Commons, Madison
The State Democracy Research Initiative (SDRI) and the Elections Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison invite you to attend a panel on state judicial elections. The February primary and April general election for the open Wisconsin Supreme Court seat have high stakes, potentially affecting the Court's decisions on a wide range of important issues. But why are Wisconsin judges and justices elected in the first place? What advantages and disadvantages are associated with judicial elections? How do judicial campaigns compare to campaigns for other state offices? Our panelists, Professor Miriam Seifter (UW Law School, SDRI faculty co-director), Professor Barry Burden (UW Political Science, Elections Research Center director), and Professor Jane Schacter (Stanford Law School), will aim to situate this election in broader context. The panel will be moderated by Professor Rob Yablon (UW Law School, SDRI faculty co-director).

Saturday, February 18

Whitefish Bay Gets Out the Primary: 3-hour shifts, 9am and 12pm
4845 N Newhall St, Whitefish Bay
Join us as we GET OUT THE VOTE in Whitefish Bay for Jodi Sinykin and in anticipation for the upcoming Supreme Court race this Spring. Jodi herself will join us at 9am AND at noon to greet canvassers and to canvass herself in the noon-3pm shift! Knocking on doors & talking to voters face to face is one of the most effective ways YOU can make a difference this February and April. This year is critical for our Democracy - winning in Wisconsin is VITAL! We need all hands on deck to get out the vote! Whether you are a first time volunteer or a canvassing pro, we will make sure you have everything you need. We will start the canvassing shift with training and give you all the materials you need to volunteer. The more the merrier - please feel free to bring friends & family members with you to your shift! Sign up.

Weekend Canvass in Mequon: 3-hour shifts, 9am and 12pm
Address sent that week
Join team Mequon to knock doors in Mequon in support of the open Senate District 8 seat and to turn out progressives for the Spring elections! We'll begin with a training on our script and the miniVAN app, and then hit the doors! Note: You will receive the location of the canvass the week of. Sign up.

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

Get Out the Spring Primary Vote!: Milwaukee East & Riverwest, 12:00 - 3:00pm
Collectivo, 2999 N Humboldt Blvd, Milwaukee
Join us in canvassing to Get Out the Vote for the extremely important Wisconsin Supreme Court race coming up this spring. It is critical that we turn out lots and lots of Democratic voters for the February 21 primary and the April 4 election. A brief training is provided at the beginning of each shift. Bring a friend to canvass with you! Sign up.

Sunday, February 19

Whitefish Bay Gets Out the Primary 12:00 - 3:00pm
4845 N Newhall St, Whitefish Bay
Join us as we GET OUT THE VOTE in Whitefish Bay for Jodi Sinykin and in anticipation for the upcoming Supreme Court race this Spring. Knocking on doors & talking to voters face to face is one of the most effective ways YOU can make a difference this February and April. This year is critical for our Democracy - winning in Wisconsin is VITAL! We need all hands on deck to get out the vote! Whether you are a first time volunteer or a canvassing pro, we will make sure you have everything you need. We will start the canvassing shift with training and give you all the materials you need to volunteer. The more the merrier - please feel free to bring friends & family members with you to your shift! Sign up.

Sunday, February 19

Democratic Party of Milwaukee County Meeting, 6:00 - 7:30pm
734 N. 26th Street Milwaukee, WI 53233
Join us for our second membership meeting of 2023! We will host our Black History Month program, discuss the urgent Spring 2023 elections and perhaps hear from candidates! RSVP on Facebook.