stand up for fair maps! Again!!

I want to begin today with the fate of AB 415, the so-called Iowa-based model for achieving a nonpartisan process for producing electoral maps. In other words, a bill that would prohibit partisan considerations from affecting the way the maps for electing state Assembly Representatives and thus state Senators are drawn. In last week's newsletter, I informed you that Senate President Chris Kopenga had said that the Senate did not have the votes to pass the bill. That was in an interview with WisPolitics's "UpFront" on October 6. But SURPRISE! It turns out that SB 488 (the name of the proposed bill in the Senate) is going to the committee on Shared Revenue, Elections and Consumer Protection for a hearing on Thursday, October 19, at 9am in room 411 South of the Wisconsin Capitol. The Fair Maps Coalition urges everyone who cares about this issue to turn up, even if they don't want to testify. Sign up here. If you do want to testify, either in person or on paper, see messaging guidance here.

Middle Wisconsin has posted an article, This is not a credible offer, explaining why AB 415 and SB 488 are unacceptable. Calling the bill "a ploy to manipulate the system," the piece reveals the flawed process by which it was introduced: "AB415 was thrown together to look like the often referenced ‘Iowa Model,’ but they [the GOP representatives] also placed major loopholes in it to ensure they would remain in control. There was no committee hearing, no input from the public or any of the many organizations that have been working on this issue for years, and no consultation with Assembly Democrats."

Here's the ask: even if you can't drop everything to attend the hastily-called Senate hearing on Thursday, call and write you state senators, even if they are Democrats, to object to the bill. Also send written testimony to the members of the committee and to the Fair Maps Coalition:

Senator Knodl, Chair: [email protected];
Senator Feyen, Vice-Chair: [email protected];
Senator Quinn: [email protected];
Senator Spreitzer: [email protected];
Senator Smith: [email protected];
and share with Iuscely at [email protected].

The horrifying news from Israel and Gaza continues to dominate the media, as it rightly should. But that does not mean other important stories should be overlooked. In a number of states — including Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, and West Virginia — voters have filed lawsuits seeking to disqualify TRE45ON from appearing on the ballot, either in the primary or in the general election. Notably, in the case in Colorado, "a judge denied Donald Trump’s attempt to dismiss the 14th Amendment lawsuit CREW brought on behalf of six Colorado voters. This ruling means that CREW is one step closer to presenting our clients’ case in court at the upcoming October 30 evidentiary hearing."

Noah Bookbinder, President and CEO of CREW (Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington), wrote in his October 14 newsletter, "Trump’s attempt to dismiss the lawsuit was brought under Colorado’s anti-SLAPP law, which seeks to protect people from being sued over exercising their free speech rights. But the judge ruled that 'this lawsuit falls within the public interest exemption to the anti-SLAPP statute,' and concluded that 'ensuring that only constitutionally qualified candidates can seek to hold the highest office in the country...seeks to enforce an important right which confers a significant benefit to the public.'"

As precedent, there's little to cite. In the only modern case, adjudicated last year, "CREW represented residents of New Mexico who sued to remove county commissioner Couy Griffin from office, the only successful case to be brought under Section 3 since 1869. The judge in that case determined January 6th was an insurrection under the Constitution and that someone who helped to incite it–even if not personally violent–had engaged in insurrection and was disqualified from office." See CREW's press release about this lawsuit.

And there's more good news. The gerrymandering action in Wisconsin concerns only state legislative districts, not congressional districts. But gerrymandering in other states has in the recent past affected the composition of the House of Representatives. German Lopez, writing in the New York Times on October 16, finds A Shift in Gerrymandering (gifted article): "the overall picture looks promising for Democrats. 'The House map is pretty equitable now, certainly more so than it was 10 years ago,' David Wasserman of the Cook Political Report told me. 'If the cases [now pending in federal courts] go in Democrats’ favor,' he added, 'it could make the House map even a little bit bluer on balance than a random map would be.'”

REAL TIME UPDATE: Even as I write this newsletter, the House is voting to fill the position of Speaker of the House. Apparently Jim (Gym?) Jordan failed on the first vote. Six representatives from districts that voted for Biden in 2022, voted against him. In all, he fell 17 votes short, receiving only 200 votes in the first round. Hakeem Jeffries beat him by receiving 212 votes from all the Democrats. There might be another vote later today, the Washington Post has said.

Now a word about gag orders. As plenty of TV pundits have remarked, criminal defendants who behaved and spoke as the Tangerine Palpatine has in the past several months would have had their bail revoked and have been tossed into pre-trial detention. Not Orange Julius. He's just prohibited from threatening court employees, the prosecutor, potential witness and families of all of the above. On his show last night Jimmy Kimmel thinks he and everyone else who watched the insurrection is a witness: “I don’t know about you — I saw the whole thing happen.” (See the BEST OF LATE NIGHT gifted to you.)

Judge Chutkan's order, made orally from the bench, will be followed with a written opinion soon. Meanwhile, Judge Engoron had issued a narrowly tailored gag order two weeks ago. On October 3, the AP wrote: "Rebuking Donald Trump, a state court judge imposed a limited gag order Tuesday in the former president’s civil business fraud trial and ordered him to delete a social media post that publicly maligned a key court staffer." Now let's see if these jurists can make their orders stick.

Down in Georgia in the trial of Chesebro and Powell, jury selection will be starting on Friday. Attorneys for the defendants wanted prospective jurors to give a favorability rating of every person charged in the RICO case. REALLY? A trial is not like "reality TV" — prospective jurors don't get a vote at the outset on which defendants aren't very popular! Both Judge McAfee and the prosecutors objected, thank goodness. But everyone "agreed potential jurors could be asked about pressures from the community or whether they would feel nervous or anxious about returning any verdict out of concern for how the public might respond" (See Lawyers and judge hash out juror questions for Powell and Chesebro trial in Georgia election case, October 16, 2023).

Attorneys for Chesebro and Powell "also wanted to include a string of questions about whether potential jurors believe Trump and his associates tried to steal the election and what they think about people who spread misinformation or tried to help overturn the election." As Judge McAfee said, "the questions seemed to cross a 'hard line in the sand' against asking prospective jurors whether they think someone is guilty or not." Sounds a little like a scene out of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: "Sentence first — verdict afterward." But in this case, it's more like "first the verdict and then the trial."

One more thing: don't forget to sign up for the online event we're holding on Sunday, November 12, at 7:00pm. It's all about Winning the Messaging War. Because one of our featured speakers — David Pepper, former chair of the Ohio Democratic Party and author of Laboratories of Autocracy — cannot be available in real time, we have to tape his interview ahead of the event. If you have questions for him, please submit them here.

EVENTS

Wednesday, October 18

Milwaukee Press Club Newsmaker Luncheon, 10:45am - 1:30pm
Newsroom Pub, 137 E. Wells St., Milwaukee
Greg Borowski, executive editor of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, will be the guest speaker with media panel Isabella Fonfara Drewel (Marquette Wire), Rich Kirchen (Milwaukee Business Journal), and Ricardo Pimentel (Neighborhood News Service) and moderator Milwaukee Press Club President Maryann Lazarski.

October Dem Party of Oz County Meeting, 7:00 - 8:00pm
130 Wisconsin Ave, Grafton
Join us at our Grafton Office as we gather to hear speakers and catch up on the local and state politics influencing Ozaukee County – while spending time with like-minded people. All interested people are encouraged to attend.

Thursday, October 19

Senate Committee Public Hearing on Redistricting Bill (AB488), 9:00am
Capitol Building Room 411S
The State Senate Committee on Shared Revenue, Elections and Consumer Protection is responding with a public hearing on SB 488, the flawed redistricting bill that recently passed the Assembly as AB 415. SB488 is a BAD bill that has the potential to permanently change the redistricting process in Wisconsin and allow legislators to retain control of map making for Wisconsin's voting district maps. Why are GOP legislators in such a rush? They want to stop the redistricting lawsuit in the Wisconsin Supreme Court. It is essential that we slow the passage of this bill and allow fair maps advocates, pro-democracy organizations, Democratic legislators and - most importantly - voters to provide input so we create the best Wisconsin Model possible for our state. Sign up with the Fair Maps Coalition. Also, the Fair Maps Coalition has provided Messaging Guidelines for help with crafting testimony.

Out of Sight: The Black Middle-Class in Milwaukee, 4:00 - 5:30pm
4th Floor Conference Center, Golda Meir Library, 2311 E. Hartford Ave., Milwaukee and Virtual
Ermitte Saint Jacques, Assistant Professor, UWM Department of African and African Diaspora Studies and Robert Smith, Harry G. John Professor, Marquette University Department of History, will discuss middle-class African American experience in Milwaukee. This collaborative project challenges and complicates existing narratives about Black Milwaukee that are mired in narrow assertions primarily focused on poverty, residential segregation, criminalization, and educational achievement gaps. This 2023 Morris Fromkin Memorial Lecture, dedicated to social justice, will take place both in-person and virtually. Register here.

WAVE Action, 12:00 - 12:30pm
Virtual
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) has proposed a new rule that could drastically reduce the number of gun sales that take place without a background check. This could be a massive step forward in keeping guns out of the hands of people who, by law, are prohibited from owning them. Now, the ATF is accepting comments on this proposed rule. Sign up.

WAVE Action, 6:00 - 6:30pm
Virtual
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) has proposed a new rule that could drastically reduce the number of gun sales that take place without a background check. This could be a massive step forward in keeping guns out of the hands of people who, by law, are prohibited from owning them. Now, the ATF is accepting comments on this proposed rule. Sign up.

Friday, October 20

Redistricting, Elections, & Litigation, 9:30am
Knickerbocker Hotel, 1028 E Juneau St, Milwaukee
A meeting to discuss and update Wisconsin politics sponsored by the League of Progressive Seniors. Panel Members: Deborah Patel (Co-lead, North Shore Fair Maps); Deb Andraca (23^rd Assembly District Representative); and an Attorney from Law Forward. We look forward to meeting with you to enjoy the company and refreshments as we learn about this important topic. For questions, contact Attorney Jackie Boynton at 414-378-4224. Let LPS know you plan to attend. OR let them know you're interested but cannot attend.

The Women's Convention 2023, 3:00pm - October 22 at 1:00pm
Baird Center, 400 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee
We’re at an inflection point in our country. What we do in the next five years will impact the next five decades. If we are going to protect our personal rights, our communities, and democracy itself, we need to build the biggest movement possible. We need to consolidate women and allies around shared values, experience, and culture to build a nation that works for all of us. The 2023 Women’s Convention will provide a space for you to rejuvenate and find connection and support. Whether you are brand new to social change work or a veteran activist, this space is built for you. You will gain tools, make connections, and experience the feminist future we want to live in. See more information and purchase tickets. (The posting is long, but well worth the scrolling to find ticket prices for seniors.)

The Movement for Black Lives has generously offered to sponsor a limited number of attendees for the Women’s Convention in Milwaukee. Be one of the first 200 people to register for the convention today using promo code MOVEMENT at checkout and the Movement for Black Lives will cover the cost of your ticket. Reserve Your Spot Today.

Saturday, October 21

Stand for Peace, 12:00 - 1:00pm
Capitol and Oakland
Special Stand for Peace in solidarity with the Nov 1, 2023, UN Vote to End Blockade on Cuba and to get an update on the status of Julian Assange. Stand for Peace demonstrates for peace at a different intersection in Milwaukee County every Saturday.

Grassroots Glendale Defend Justice Canvass, 12:00 - 3:00 & 3:00 - 6:00pm
6563 N Crestwood Dr, Glendale
WE NEED YOUR HELP! There is a Republican threat to impeach newly-elected Janet Protasiewicz. This is a desperate, unconstitutional, unprecedented, and obscene power grab to erase the votes of a million Wisconsinites and lock in their gerrymandered maps, the near-total abortion ban, and the plot to overturn the 2024 presidential election. We must make absolutely clear to Robin Vos and Republicans in the Wisconsin State Legislature that this attempt to nullify the last election is absolutely unacceptable. Join us to mobilize voters to call their Representatives! Sign up.

Monday, October 23

Vote Forward & the Hamilton cast, 7:00pm
Online
Join us to write letters with members of the cast of Hamilton! This is our last letter writing event of the year—we don’t want you to miss it. We’ll start with some tips and best practices for letter writing and then we’ll all write letters to Virginia and Ohio voters while hearing from members of the Hamilton cast. Download a batch of letters from any of our current campaigns before the event and have your blue pen and envelopes handy. We'll see you in the Zoom where it happens!

Friday, October 27

League of Women Voters Milwaukee County Cafe, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Milwaukee Public Library East Branch Community Room
League Cafe meets monthly and welcomes League members old and new, as well as community members. In a small group setting, we get to know each other better, share knowledge and have interesting conversations. In rotating months, we meet as a general discussion group, and in opposite months, convene as a book club to discuss noteworthy books on racial equity, immigration and/or voting.

Saturday, October 28

Stand for Peace, 12:00 - 1:00pm
27^th and Oklahoma Streets
Stand for Peace demonstrates for peace at a different intersection in Milwaukee County every Saturday.

Wednesday, November 1

Deb Andraca Fundraiser, 5:00 - 7:00pm
Three Lions Pub, 4515 N Oakland Ave, Shorewood
With special guest, David Crowley, Milwaukee County Executive.The Wisconsin State Legislature is making big changes that will have long-term impacts on Milwaukee County, such as the new shared revenue proposal and the pending agreement for the Brewers' stadium. The County Executive and his team have successfully turned a new page on Milwaukee - Madison relations, and I hope you will join us as we talk about what's ahead. RSVP — or simply make a donation.

SAVE THE DATE

Thursday, November 2

Day of the Deeds Fundraiser for Issy Ramón, TBD
1407 S 1st Street, Milwaukee
Fundraiser for Issy Ramón, Milwaukee County's Register of Deeds since he was appointed to the position in May 2019. In his time in office, he has implemented a number of reforms, both to systems for accounting and to staff interactions with customers. Now he's running for office and seeks your support. Please donate.

Saturday, November 4

Fox Point/Bayside Dems One Year to Win Canvass, 9:00am - 12:00pm & 12:00 - 3:00pm
Sign up for details
Come join us as we talk to voters in Fox Point one year ahead of the 2024 Presidential Election! Sign up.

Shorewood Dems One Year to Win Canvass, 9:00am - 12:00pm, 12:00 - 3:00pm & 3:00 - 6:00pm
4651 N Newhall St, Shorewood
Come join the Shorewood Dems ONE YEAR out from the presidential election to knock doors and talk to voters about the issues that matter most to them! Sign up.

Sunday, November 5

Whitefish Bay Deep Canvassing, 9:00am - 12:00pm & 3:00 - 6:00pm
4845 N Newhall St, Whitefish Bay
Come join us in Whitefish Bay as we knock doors and talk to voters about the issues that matter most to them! Sign up.

Grassroots Glendale Defend Justice Canvass, 3:00 - 6:00pm
6563 N Crestwood Dr, Glendale
WE NEED YOUR HELP! There is a Republican threat to impeach newly-elected Janet Protasiewicz. This is a desperate, unconstitutional, unprecedented, and obscene power grab to erase the votes of a million Wisconsinites and lock in their gerrymandered maps, the near-total abortion ban, and the plot to overturn the 2024 presidential election. We must make absolutely clear to Robin Vos and Republicans in the Wisconsin State Legislature that this attempt to nullify the last election is absolutely unacceptable. Join us to mobilize voters to call their Representatives! Sign up.

Whitefish Bay/Shorewood Deep Canvassing, 4:00 - 6:00pm
4845 Newhall Street, Whitefish Bay
Come join us in Whitefish Bay as we knock doors and talk to voters about the issues that matter most to them! Sign up.

Sunday, November 12

Can Democrats Win the Messaging War in 2024? 7:00 - 8:30pm
Virtual
Grassroots North Shore presents an online discussion of messaging tactics and challenges in the 2024 elections, both national and statewide. Featured speakers David Pepper (Saving Democracy), Melissa Agard (WI Senate Majority Leader), and Mandela Barnes (Power to the Polls), offer knowledgeable, insider views of how to win the all-important state and national elections in 2024.Sign up.

David Pepper will have pre-record his interview with Grassroots North Shore Co-Chair Debbie Patel. You can learn more about him here. Please send questions for him for Debbie to use when she interviews him.

Monday, November 13

Fact or Fiction: Dispelling Abortion Care Myths, 6:30pm
Hybrid Event or Zoom
Forum on Reproductive Rights sponsored by the League of Women Voters Milwaukee County. Join us for a discussion with experts on the medical and legal aspects of reproductive health care. In this first in a series of forums, we will examine some of the facts and myths around this complicated, and often contentious, topic in order to work toward effective public policy. Free admission. Registration required for in-person and Zoom attendance.