Probably because the April 4 election in Wisconsin attracted a lot of national attention and its results were so striking, there continues to be a lot of press and analysis of how different groups voted, including in the Washington Post. Last week, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published an article about the youth vote in the state, focusing particularly on the turnout among college students. "Across the state, college students showed up to the polls in droves for an election barely on their radar a couple of months ago. A number of voting wards on or near college campuses show students cast ballots near midterm-level, exceeding the expectations of local clerks and youth organizers."
At least some of the outcome stems from a new organization, Project 72, headed by Mike Tate, a former chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin: "By Election Day, the Project 72 team topped 100 organizers who had set up shop at 15 institutions. They knocked on 40,000 dorm doors, tabled outside quads in judge's costumes and taped "my body, my choice" signs in women's bathrooms." It's worth noting that Grassroots North Shore was active on three campuses for this election: UM-Milwaukee, MIAD, and MSOE. So we can take a bit of credit too!
A more comprehensive look at voting patterns and trends, "Lessons from the Wisconsin Supreme Court race: Why the alarm bells for Republicans are ringing louder", examines the race for the WI Supreme Court in the broader context of recent elections. A key sub-head notes that "Republicans have a losing record in Wisconsin in the Trump Era." Craig Gilbert, the article's author, divides the elections of the past 15 years as two contrasting eras: the Obama years and the Trump years, including 2021, 2022, and 2023. He notes that six of the 22 major elections ("for president, governor, U.S. Senate and state Supreme Court") "were decided by roughly 1 point or less." However, since Trump became president in 2017, "only one side — the left — has won decisive statewide victories in Wisconsin. Democrats won an 11-point race for Senate in 2018 and a 3-point race for governor in 2022. Liberals won double-digit court victories in 2018, 2020 and 2023." The article goes into great detail about several past elections and is worth a careful read.
In news you may have missed, Mandela Barnes was named president of Power to the Polls Wisconsin, "an organization focused on voter turnout, especially in diverse communities like Milwaukee. Barnes worked with the group during the recent spring election." We've seen declining turnout in the city in recent elections. Perhaps Power to the Polls Wisconsin will help turn that around. In his statement, Barnes pointed out that "Organizing isn’t just about what happens right before an election – it’s about mobilizing communities to use their power year in and year out." Amen.
The national political news is hopping right now. The Dominion defamation case against Fox News and Fox Corporation is getting underway today. Next week, the E. Jean Carroll rape and defamation case against Donald Trump will begin. And then there are all the other investigations, both civil and criminal, into DJT. Business Insider has a pretty comprehensive list, noting that "It's hard to keep track of Donald Trump's very busy legal docket." The publication lists the Manhattan DA's most recent indictment plus the Trump Organization payroll case DA Bragg successfully prosecuted last year. In addition, there's the Fulton County, Georgia, probe; the Justice Department's investigation into schemes to overturn the 2020 presidential election; the DOJ investigation into Trump's handling of classified documents; New York AG Letitia James's civil suit against the Trump family and the Trump Organization; lawsuits alleging that Trump incited the violent mob that stormed the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021; a 'multi-level marketing' pyramid scheme case stemming from a promotion on "The Celebrity Apprentice;" Micheal Cohen's suit against Trump and Bill Barr for sending him back to prison for speaking to the press and writing a book. Then there are the civil suits Trump himself has initiated: against Hillary Clinton — which was tossed out of court last September and resulted in nearly $1 million in sanctions against Trump and his lawyer — and against his niece Mary Trump, the New York Times, and three of its reporters. Whew: so much litigating!
And then there's this news from the League of Women Voters: National Popular Vote Bills Introduced In Wisconsin.
An update in the National Popular Vote space: Wisconsin legislators just introduced the NPVIC bill in the WI Senate, and it has been referred to the Committee on Government Operations, Elections, and Consumer Protection.
What can you do to show your support? Call your legislators! Tell them you want the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact bills, SB 144 and AB 156, scheduled for public hearings. States passing NPV legislation is the fastest path forward for every vote in presidential elections to count. States are moving forward. If this bill is passed in Wisconsin, our 10 electoral votes, along with those of other compact states, will go to the winner of the nationwide popular vote. Let's get it done!
I'm surprised — and pleased — to see that the events list this week is growing robust again. The Democratic Party of Ozaukee County invites residents of the 6th Congressional District to sign up to be "a delegate to the 6th Congressional District Convention in Oshkosh on May 7 and/or a delegate to the DPW State Convention in Green Bay, June 11-12. It is a great opportunity to meet fellow Democrats, vote on officers, both at the CD and state level, participate in various caucuses of interest to you and attend valuable workshops. Register here.
In addition, the 1st CD convention is listed in the events section. The 5th CD convention will be held May 12. You can see more information and sign up for that now. The 4th CD convention was held on March 25.
The state convention will be held in Green Bay on Saturday, June 10, and Sunday, June 11. Even without attending a congressional district convention, you can apply to be a state convention delegate.
EVENTS
Tuesday, April 18
The Rise of Antisemitism in America and How to Combat It, 6:00 - 7:30pm
Online
Join Wisconsin Jewish Democrats and our friends and partners around the country in the Jewish Battleground Coalition for this great Zoom event and learn what you can do to combat Anti-Semitism. Speakers: Eden Cohen, Senior Advisor to Special Envoy Combating Antisemitism; Dr. Andrew M. Goretsky, Regional Director for the Anti-Defamation League Philadelphia; Dr. Dina Lichtman Smith, Board Member of the Holocaust Awareness and Education Museum in Philadelphia; Kathy Manning, Representative of North Carolina's Sixth Congressional District. Sign up.
Wednesday, April 19
Drinking Liberally Tosa, 6:30 - 8:30pm
Camp Bar Tosa, 6600 W North Ave, Wauwatosa
It's ON! Every month on the third Wednesday. Join us!
Ozaukee County Dems Monthly Meeting, 7:00 - 8:30pm
1930 Wisconsin Ave, Grafton
The next meeting of the Democratic Party of Ozaukee County is next Wednesday. Plan to join us at our April 19 meeting at 7 p.m. in our office or online for a debrief of the amazing April 4 election. We have a lot to celebrate!
Thursday, April 20
Volunteer for Seniors 2023 - Senior Food Delivery, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Address available after sign up
Every Thursday we need your help delivering groceries to seniors in need. All volunteers need is a car, phone, and PPE to complete the deliveries. Arrive at the volunteer location at your chosen time slot for a quick training and then help us with 6 to 8 deliveries. Shifts are 2 - 3 hours. Shifts begin every half hour beginning at 11:00am. The last shift begins at 12:30pm. Sponsored by My Block, My Hood, My City. Volunteer!
Saturday, April 22
Stand for Peace, 12:00 - 1:00pm
Port Washington and Silver Spring, Milwaukee
Stand for Peace demonstrates for peace at a different intersection in Milwaukee County every Saturday. Join us.
Sunday, April 23
Virtual Phone Bank to Register Voters, 5:00 - 7:00pm
Zoom
The work for 2024 begins now! Join us to register voters in WI.No experience necessary - we'll have training at every phone bank and coaches to support you every step of the way. When you join the phone bank please make sure your first and last name are under your zoom face. Please join us on Zoom 5 minutes before the phone bank. You’ll need either a computer or laptop or iPad and phone. If you need Zoom training or have any questions, contact us at [email protected]. Sign up.
Tuesday, April 25
Conservation Lobby Day, 10:00am - 5:00pm
Park Hotel Madison, 22 S Carroll St, Madison
Join Wisconsin Conservation Voters and hundreds conservation voters and environmental leaders from across the state for Conservation Lobby Day – an opportunity to connect, learn about the conservation issues facing Wisconsinites, and meet with legislators and demonstrate our shared priorities around safe drinking water, clean energy, and our freedom to vote. Registration opens at 9:00am; the program begins at 10:00am. Sign up to attend. To learn more about Conservation Lobby Day 2023, visit Wisconsin Conservation Voters.
Restorative Justice Series: Rehabilitating the Offender, 6:30 - 8:00pm
United Methodist Church, 819 E. Silver Spring Dr., WFB
Judge Mary Triggiano will examine how restorative justice can rehabilitate and reintegrate justice involved persons into society while also requiring them to accept responsibility for their actions and act to repair the harm they have caused. She will be joined by Adam Procell, Robyn Ellis and Jonisha Neita who will share their stories. Sponsored by: Bay Bridge Wisconsin; United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay; MICAH; WISDOM; EXPO; The Community; From the Same Dust, a Baha'i Group, Bay Shore Lutheran Church, Christ Church Episcopal, Congregation Sinai, Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee, Interfaith Restorative Practices Coalition LIVESTREAM will be available. Sign up. The next program in the series will take place on May 9 and will feature Janine Geske, Distinguished Professor and Director of the Andrew Center of Restorative Justice at Marquette University Law School.
Wednesday, April 26
Community Justice Council, 9:30 - 11:00am
Zoom
Milwaukee Community Justice Council Meeting of the Whole will have an Online/Virtual meeting. See the Council's calendar of meetings online. Here's the Zoom link to this Meeting of the Whole.
Making Congress Work in a Divided Nation, 12:00 - 1:00pm
Online
What can we learn about bipartisan collaboration from the congressional committee system? What steps must be taken to bring Congress into the digital age? What practical changes would make Congress more representative of the country as a whole? The Brennan Center will premiere a timely conversation about what it will take to make Congress work better. The virtual premiere of this previously recorded event will include a live text chat Q&A with Maya Kornberg, author of Inside Congressional Committees: Function and Dysfunction in the Legislative Process. SPEAKERS: Adam Kinzinger, Former Representative, IL-16th District; Senior Political Commentator, CNN // Maya Kornberg, Research Fellow, Brennan Center Elections and Government Program; Author of Inside Congressional Committees: Function and Dysfunction in the Legislative Process // Daniel Strauss, Senior Political Correspondent, New Republic // Moderator: Mike Spahn, Partner, Precision Strategies. RSVP.
Thursday, April 27
Mental Health Board Meeting, 9:00am - 10:00am
Teleconference
This is a teleconference meeting (see Agenda for details). More information.
Volunteer for Seniors 2023 - Senior Food Delivery, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Address available after sign up
Every Thursday we need your help delivering groceries to seniors in need. All volunteers need is a car, phone, and PPE to complete the deliveries. Arrive at the volunteer location at your chosen time slot for a quick training and then help us with 6 to 8 deliveries. Shifts are 2 - 3 hours. Shifts begin every half hour beginning at 11:00am. The last shift begins at 12:30pm. Sponsored by My Block, My Hood, My City. Volunteer!
Saturday, April 29
Congressional District 1 Annual Convention, 110:00am - 3:00pm
UAW Union Club, 1795 Lafayette Street, Janesville
Doors open at 9:30AM, Convention starts at 10:00AM. Coffee, Kringle, and Fruit will be available in the morning and lunch will be provided. Coffee, Tea, and Water will be available. If you have any questions, contact Mary Jonker. Registration fee is $30.00. Register online prior to the convention.
Stand for Peace, 12:00 - 1:00pm
Water and St. Paul, Milwaukee
Stand for Peace demonstrates for peace at a different intersection in Milwaukee County every Saturday. Join us.
Sunday, April 30
Virtual Phone Bank to Register Voters, 5:00 - 7:00pm
Zoom
The work for 2024 begins now! Join us to register voters in WI.No experience necessary - we'll have training at every phone bank and coaches to support you every step of the way. When you join the phone bank please make sure your first and last name are under your zoom face. Please join us on Zoom 5 minutes before the phone bank. You’ll need either a computer or laptop or iPad and phone. If you need Zoom training or have any questions, contact us at [email protected]. Sign up.
other important links
Become a Member of Grassroots North Shore
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