when the right people vote,

Our Wisconsin legislature seems to be wrapping up business this week and ADJOURNING for the rest of the year! Meanwhile, Governor Evers in partnership with the Democratic Party is raising money to hand over to the campaign of whoever wins the Democratic primary on August 11. Named the Wisconsin Governor Readiness Project, it aims to build a war chest and the campaign infrastructure the winning candidate will need to hit the ground running on day one of the general election campaign. The donation page has high preset amounts on it but you can type in whatever you can afford. Because the Governor is right: "In 2026, we need to protect the progress we’ve made by electing a Democrat who believes in supporting working families, strengthening public schools, and protecting our rights and freedoms" (WisDems website, September 22, 2025). We need to make sure we elect a state government that works for us. Please give what you can.

And just FYI, Grassroots North Shore will be holding a forum for the gubernatorial candidates at Nicolet High School on Sunday, May 17. Save the date in your calendar now so you don't miss it. Kathleen Dunn (a longtime radio host and inductee into the Milwaukee Media Hall of Fame) will moderate the event. The forum will take place from 2:00 — 5:00pm. Other details will be finalized and announced soon. But you can sign up now!

Most of our communities did not have a primary for the nonpartisan election that will be held on April 7. But that does not mean the election isn't important. The ballot is usually filled with candidates for city, town, or village boards and judges. You can preview your ballot at MyVote.WI.gov. While you're there, make sure you check your registration. And plan to request an absentee ballot! It's becoming increasingly important to vote early, whether by absentee ballot or during the early in-person period before each election. For April's election, early voting in most communities will take place weekdays from March 24 through April 3. Check your own municipality's website for specific information where you live.

Why does voting absentee or voting early in-person matter so much this year? We've all heard our loathsome leader bloviate about nationalizing the 2026 elections, or even calling them off altogether. He threatens to issue an executive order to forbid mail-in ballots (which he himself uses to vote in his south Florida district)! Of course the executive branch of the federal government has no role in the administration of elections. The US Constitution assigns that power to the states, although Congress can pass some regulations to make the system more uniform across all the states. In many areas of the country, election officials are preparing for a range of possibilities. "While many Republicans brush off the president’s threats, election officials are rushing to organize meetings and conference calls to prepare for scenarios in which Trump might use federal agents, troops or MAGA-aligned local officials to interfere in elections" (MSNOW, February 9, 2026). Voting absentee or early in person makes crowds at the polls less likely and can reduce the amount of time voting is interrupted by challenges to voters.

One of the ways those of us who probably don't live in areas that could be subject to ICE, National Guard, or other federal agents seeking to intimidate voters — most likely in densely urban and Democratic areas like Milwaukee — is to vote early and then volunteer to be an observer at polls where such threats might materialize. As a citizen of the state you can observe at ANY POLLING LOCATION. The League of Women Voters has an excellent Election Observation Program that has been running since at least 2016. The League will train volunteers who must be available on election day for two-hour shifts. You can begin for the April 7 election if you sign up by March 16. Start at the League's page for volunteer opportunities and the click the link to Sign Up Today!

Why is electing Chris Taylor so vital? After all, when we elected Susan Crawford in a landslide last year, we produced a liberal leaning court for the first time in forever. And we definitely want that to last! The next justice to be up for re-election is Rebecca Dallet, one of the key defenders of our freedoms. Her election will take place in April 2028. So Chris Taylor is our insurance policy keeping the court in the hands of those who have brought us fair maps, will ensure reproductive rights, and protect the rule of law. The liberal majority, with Chris Taylor, holds the court through the next census. And that could be vital for ensuring that the legislature draw fair, nonpartisan election maps.

Taylor's opponent, Maria Lazar, has tried to make herself sound like a reasonable and fair-minded judge. But she just isn't. American Bridge 21st Century spells it out: "Maria Lazar is running for the Wisconsin Supreme Court with a record that shows she is unfit for Wisconsin’s highest court. Throughout her career Lazar has repeatedly taken positions and issued rulings that narrowed fundamental rights, favored political power over fair representation, and discounted harm to victims and voters."

Here are a few key issues:

Supports extreme abortion positions;
Supports gerrymandered maps;
Makes decisions (since overturned) aiding election deniers.

In contrast, Judge Taylor

Supports reproductive rights and freedoms ;
Spent 10 years in the state Assembly championing progressive issues;
Supports the right of workers to unionize.

Finally, you've probably seen the news that the FCC leaned on CBS who told Stephen Colbert in no uncertain terms that he could not air an interview with Jim Talarico, a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Senate in Texas. Naturally what happened next is that the segment was posted on the CBS YouTube channel and "aired" in its entirety there. The FCC can bluster all it wants about stuff using the public airways, as CBS does. But not the Internet. And now the results are in: How the GOP’s latest media meddling is a major self-own shows interest in Talarico skyrocketing, both nationally and in Texas. (Scroll down to see the graphs.) And it's not just googling. CBS Austin reports the Talarico campaign raises $2.5M in 24 hours following 'Late Show' appearance. Early voting in the primary began yesterday. The primary will be held on March 3. We'll be watching!

I've repeated the links to sign up for this weekend's canvasses in the North Shore. None were listed for Ozaukee County. So if you are able, please sign up to alert voters to the coming election and its importance to the future of our state. Below the box for the canvass stations is a box of dates the Democratic Party of Milwaukee County is holding for the public to meet gubernatorial candidates one at a time. It's an up close and personal way to hear directly about issues that matter to you. You should go!

Canvass in Glendale, Sundays: Feb 22; Mar 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29.
Canvass in Shorewood, Saturdays: Feb 21, 28; March 7, 14, 21; Apr 4.
Canvass in West Allis, Saturdays Feb 21, 28; Mar 7, 14, 21.
Canvass in Whitefish Bay, Saturdays: Feb 21, 28 & Mar 14; Sundays: Feb 22.

The Milwaukee County Democratic Party is holding a series of events in their Bay View office — 2999 S Delaware Ave, Milwaukee — to provide an opportunity for people to meet the gubernatorial candidates one at a time. Here's the list of all the meetings. Be sure you save the dates and times for the candidates you want to meet.

Francesca Hong, Sunday, February 22, 1:00 - 2:30pm
Kelda Roys, Thursday, March 5, 6:00 - 7:30pm
David Crowley, Saturday, March 7, 12:00 - 1:30pm
Missy Hughes, Wednesday, March 11, 6:00 - 7:30pm
Mandela Barnes, Wednesday, March 25, 6:00 - 7:30pm

TAKE ACTION

5 Calls: This site makes it dead simple to call your Senators and your Representative on key issues of the day. The site provides an explanation of the issue, phone numbers for your Reps, and a script to follow. This week, we are urging you to make calls on the following issues:

No funding deal for the Department of Homeland Security, the department in which ICE, CBP, and other immigration organizations are housed, until meaningful guardrails for ICE, CBP, and other similar organizations are implemented in the funding bill.
Claw Back the $170B Slush Fund for ICE and CBP. Congress must immediately claw back the tens of billions of dollars being used to terrorize and murder people across the United States at the expense of government programs that keep our communities safe.
Demand Full Epstein Case File Release and Public Hearings. Congress must demand the DOJ release all files as mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, call for public hearings on the released files’ contents, and hold the DOJ accountable for shielding perpetrators.
Impeach Attorney General Pam Bondi!

EVENTS

Wednesday, February 18

Phone bank for Ground Truth with Swing Left Milwaukee! 5:00 - 8:00pm CT
Virtual
Join fellow members of Swing Left Milwaukee on the national Ground Truth phone banks! Ground Truth is a new program from Swing Left, designed to fix what’s broken in Democratic organizing. We’re launching an innovative new program that will revolutionize how we connect with voters over the phone. Our goal: to help Democrats rebuild trust, win tough races, and flip the House. We're bringing people together to build the community of real people, having real conversations with real people. During Ground Truth phone banks, we will talk to as many people as possible and focus on listening. Sign up.

How to Protest Safely in Milwaukee County, 5:30 - 7:00pm
Washington Park Senior Center, 4420 W Vliet St, Milwaukee
Learn about your rights! Join County Supervisors Rolland, Gomez-Tom and Capriolo, ACLU of WI, Milwaukee Turners, Sheriff Ball, Chief Norman, Legal Aid Society and more at this informational event!

Ozaukee County Canvass Launch Training!! 6:00 - 7:00pm
1245 Cheyenne Ave., #103, Grafton
Come learn how to launch a canvass with us! We will give you all the tools to successfully host a staging location! Sign up.

Ozaukee Democrats Monthly Meeting, 7:00 - 8:00pm
1245 Cheyenne Ave., #103, Grafton
Join us for our monthly meeting to get the latest updates on our fight to turn Ozaukee County blue and find out how you can help.

Thursday, February 19

Sarah Godlewski Fundraiser, 5:30pm
Milwaukee (address after RSVP)
We're hosting a grassroots fundraiser in Milwaukee to support my campaign for Lieutenant Governor, and it's going to be a great chance to connect, talk about the big fights ahead, and build the energy we need to win in November. From lowering healthcare and grocery costs, to protecting reproductive freedom, to supporting our workers and unions, we have big work ahead. RSVP.

DPMC Membership Meeting, 6:00 - 7:00pm
2718 N 33rd St, Milwaukee
Join us for the February DPMC Membership Meeting! Please RSVP.

Affordability Town Hall, 6:00 - 7:30pm
Village of West Milwaukee Community Centre, 1345 S 47th St, West Milwaukee
State Representative Priscilla A. Prado from the 9th Assembly District and State Senator Tim Carpenter from the 3rd Senate District would like to invite you to a community discussion focused on affordability in Wisconsin. We are hoping to hear your thoughts about key affordability challenges, as well as any other interests or concerns you may have. We appreciate your time and consideration regarding these issues. Please join us.

Recognizing and Fighting the Latest Book Ban Tactics, 6:30 - 7:30 CT
Virtual
Across the country, extremist politicians and advocacy groups are rolling out new strategies to quietly pull books from shelves, intimidate educators, and control what kids are allowed to learn. Data shows a disturbing normalization of censorship with thousands of books banned in just the past year alone. Join us to hear from Kelly Jensen of Book Riot and Sabrina Baêta of PEN America as we discuss the newest trends and tactics driving today’s book bans and how communities can recognize them and fight back. Sign up.

Waukesha Dems Monthly Meeting, 7:00 - 8:30pm
200 Richard St, Waukesha, WI 53189
We are joined by state Senator and Gubernatorial Candidate Kelda Roys. She will be speaking and taking questions about her campaign.

Saturday, February 21

Milwaukee Transformational Justice Training, 10:00am - 2:00pm
Welford Sanders Enterprise Center
2821 N Vel R Phillips Ave, Milwaukee
What to Expect

Gain a comprehensive overview of transformational justice work happening across the state;
Connect with fellow community members and help shape shared priorities;
Engage in discussion with legislators about current and pending legislation.

This training will be led by Mark Rice, Transformational Justice Campaign Coordinator with WISDOM, who brings over a decade of experience building the power of organizations and campaigns led by directly impacted people, alongside Ventae Parrow, WISDOM’s Transformational Justice Campaign Organizer. The training is free to attend, but registration is required. Please register in advance.

Weekly Power to the People Protest, 10:00 - 11:30am
S 76th Street & W Layton
Join us this week—and every week—as we gather to make our voices heard. Our weekly protest is a space for community, solidarity, and action. Together, we stand for justice, equality, and change, reminding those in power that we will not be silent. Bring your energy, your signs, and your friends—every presence matters. Let’s raise our voices, week after week, until real change is won. Parking is available at the Best Buy overflow parking lot along Layton. BMO Bank has let those who are mobility impaired park on the northwest corner. As a courtesy, please park as far away from businesses as possible, so that customers have a place to park. This is a local event sponsored by Birds on a Wire and Indivisible - Southeast Wisconsin. Sign up.

Reading, History and Civic Power, 11:30am - 2:30pm
Martin Luther King Library, 2901 N Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr Jr, Milwaukee
Join Chair Senator Dora Drake for “Reading, History, and Civic Power”, an event dedicated to identifying strategies to improve literacy rates and amplify the teaching of African American history in public schools at the Martin Luther King Jr. Branch of the Milwaukee Public Library. This Black History Month event explores how empowering students with strong reading skills and a deeper understanding of African American heritage directly correlates with increased civic engagement and voter participation. This engaging panel discussion with educators and historians will outline actionable strategies to support literacy development and advocate for inclusive history curricula. By bridging literacy and historical awareness, we aim to create a more civically engaged community. Together, we can increase literacy, tell fuller stories of our shared history, and strengthen the civic power of our communities.

Glendale: Stand for Democracy, 12:00 - 1:00pm
N Port Washington Rd & W Silver Spring Dr, Glendale
Gather with us at noon every Saturday to make our voices heard. Together, we stand for justice, equality, and change, reminding those in power that we will not be silent. Bring your energy, your signs, and your friends. Let’s raise our voices, week after week, until real change is won. Dress for the weather. Bring your cellphone, water, hats & gloves, umbrella, sunscreen, and a chair if you need one. Bring a sign (use bold, large lettering, so your sign can be read by moving traffic, 2-5 words) or borrow one from our community. Parking is available in the Bayshore parking lot.

Tosa: Stand for Democracy, 12:00 - 1:00pm
76th St & North Ave, Wauwatosa
equality, and change, reminding those in power that we will not be silent. Bring your energy, your signs, and your friends. Let’s raise our voices, week after week, until real change is won. Dress for the weather. Bring your cellphone, water, sunscreen, and a chair if you need one. Bring a sign (use bold, large lettering, so your sign can be read by moving traffic, 2-5 words) or borrow one from our community. Parking is available in the Wauwatosa City Hall parking lot.

Concerned Citizens Protest at Eastcastle, 1:00 - 1:30pm
Downer Ave, Milwaukee
Meet on the east side of the street, Downer Ave, between Bradford Ave and Lake Drive.

Sunday, February 22

Phone bank for Ground Truth with Swing Left Milwaukee! , 1:00 - 4:00pm CT
Virtual
Join fellow members of Swing Left Milwaukee on the national Ground Truth phone banks! Ground Truth is a new program from Swing Left, designed to fix what’s broken in Democratic organizing. We’re launching an innovative new program that will revolutionize how we connect with voters over the phone. Our goal: to help Democrats rebuild trust, win tough races, and flip the House. We're bringing people together to build the community of real people, having real conversations with real people. During Ground Truth phone banks, we will talk to as many people as possible and focus on listening. Sign up.

Wednesday, February 25

Cuppa Tosa Meet & Greet, 10:00am – 1:00pm
Cuppa Tosa, 11320 W Bluemond Rd, Wauwatosa
Join us for a meet & greet at Cuppa Tosa to ask questions, meet your neighbors, and get to know Amy Zimmerman, candidate for Wisconsin Assembly District 13!

Phone bank for Ground Truth with Swing Left Milwaukee! , 5:00 - 8:00pm CT
Virtual
Join fellow members of Swing Left Milwaukee on the national Ground Truth phone banks! Ground Truth is a new program from Swing Left, designed to fix what’s broken in Democratic organizing. We’re launching an innovative new program that will revolutionize how we connect with voters over the phone. Our goal: to help Democrats rebuild trust, win tough races, and flip the House. We're bringing people together to build the community of real people, having real conversations with real people. During Ground Truth phone banks, we will talk to as many people as possible and focus on listening. Sign up.

Chris Larson Campaign Kickoff, 5:30 - 7:00pm
Art Bar, 722 E Burleigh St, Milwaukee
Join Senator Chris Larson at the Art Bar as he kicks off his reelection campaign for the Wisconsin State Senate. RSVP and donate.

Thursday, February 26

The Real Impact of Vouchers on Public Schools, 6:30 - 7:30pm CT
Virtual
School vouchers are often sold as “more choice” for families, but in reality they are an extremist scheme to drain public resources and defund public schools. In states like Arizona and Florida, where voucher programs have been aggressively expanded, the reality has been devastating for public schools, students, and communities.

Join Sharon Kirsch and Beth Lewis of Save Our Schools Arizona and Damaris Allen of Families for Strong Public Schools in Florida for an important and eye-opening conversation about what actually happens when voucher programs take hold. They’ll share firsthand stories and data from their states, including massive losses in public school funding, school closures, and widespread fraud and misuse of taxpayer dollars. Learn what is happening in these states so you can be prepared to organize, advocate, and stop voucher expansion in your own communities. Sign up.

Saturday, February 28

Concerned Citizens Protest at Eastcastle, 1:00 - 1:30pm
Downer Ave, Milwaukee
Meet on the east side of the street, Downer Ave, between Bradford Ave and Lake Drive.

Mapping Racism and Resistance in Milwaukee County: A presentation about racial covenants, 1:00 – 2:00pm
2620 W Center St, Milwaukee
Join UW-Milwaukee professors Anne Bonds and Derek G. Handley for a presentation and discussion about racial covenants and Black resistance. Racial covenants were a widely used tool to racially segregate housing and communities in the first half of the twentieth century. For nearly three years, Bonds and Handley have been working together with thousands of community members to read and transcribe racial covenants in property records in order to map these covenants and understand their geography and impact in Milwaukee County’s racially segregated landscape. At this same time, they’ve researched how Black activists and their allies sought to challenge and resist racial covenants in their struggle for access to decent, affordable housing.

League of Women Voters Birthday Party, 2:00 - 4:00pm

Join us to celebrate the League's Birthday!

2-2:30 Mix and Mingle
2:30-3:30 Performance by Jessica Michna (First Impressions) and Q&A
3:30-4 Brief slideshow of the History of the League.

We will serve cupcakes. There will be a cash bar option.

Monday, March 2

Astor Street Regulars, 12:00pm
Wisconsin Club 900 W. Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee
Jeff Mandell for Law Forward: Protecting our Freedoms. WHAT NOW? If this is what you wake up to every morning--save the date to meet Jeff Mandell of Law Forward. Attorney Mandell is one of Wisconsin's experts in election and constitutional law. He is Co-founder of Law Forward, a non-profit legal advocacy organization based in Madison, Wisconsin.

In 2021 Law Forward requested Milwaukee Attorney General John Chisholm to launch an investigation on Republicans who had sent fraudulent electoral college certifications for Trump during the 2020 US presidential election. It was a successful case! Since founding in 2020, fake electors, fair maps, union rights, voting rights, accountability (see Gableman) and Elon Musk seeming to try to buy an election are issues we will hear about.

To RSVP, email Phyllis Bankier by February 25. Lunch will be $35. Cash preferred, pay at the door. We must hold you to your reservations as we are charged for all lunches not canceled 5 days before the event.

Save the Date

Thursday, March 5

RWB Civics Salon: How State Government Works, 6:30 - 7:30
Virtual
State government shapes our lives in ways we feel every day from schools and healthcare to reproductive freedom, voting rights, housing, and public safety. And yet, it’s often the level of government we know the least about. Join us for RWB Civics Salon: How State Government Works to better understand where real power lies and how change actually happens close to home. We'll break down what the state government really does, who’s calling the shots, and why statehouses have become ground zero for fights over democracy, rights, and equality. Understanding state government isn’t just nice to have, it’s how we protect what matters. See you there! Register.

Drag Queen Bingo, 7:00 - 9:00pm
Pop! 124 W. National Ave, Milwaukee
Come to meet people, stay for the fun! The League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County brings people together to celebrate, learn, and stand firm that LGBTQ+ rights are human rights. Community, connection, and bingo—what’s not to love?

Saturday, March 7

Concerned Citizens Protest at Eastcastle, 1:00 - 1:30pm
Downer Ave, Milwaukee
Meet on the east side of the street, Downer Ave, between Bradford Ave and Lake Drive.

Monday, March 9

DPMC Platform and Resolutions Meeting, 6:00pm
Google Meet
See A Guide to Platform and Resolutions. RSVP for the link to the Google Meet meeting available soon.

Tuesday, March 10

Resistance and Resilience at the Movies!,
Avalon Atmospheric Theater, 2473 S Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee
Join Indivisible South Shore and Indivisible SE Wisconsin Indivisible for a FREE movie night. We invite you to this community building event that will continue to inform and build our shared RESISTANCE and RESILIENCE. Gather, get your free popcorn, buy a drink, and settle in for the viewing of "How to Start a Revolution". After the movie, stay for a guided talk-back and a small give-away.
           • Doors open at 5:45 p.m. Mingle and check out local coalitions.
           • Movie begins at 6:30 p.m.
           • Gathering closes at 8:30 p.m.
Due to limited capacity, RSVPs for EACH PERSON are REQUIRED. *Because of limited capacity, if your plans change, please CANCEL your attendance. RSVP.

Tuesday, March 18

Lubar Center Spring Elections Program, 12:15 - 1:15pm
Eckstein Hall, Milwaukee On March 18, Chris Taylor will visit to discuss her experience, including her current position on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals since 2023. She began her career as an attorney, served in the Wisconsin State Assembly beginning in 2011, and was a judge of the Dane County Circuit Court for three years. The programs will begin promptly at 12:15 p.m. and include lunch, conversation, and community in Eckstein Hall. Register.