You're invited to a virtual panel discussion with democracy experts who will explain how to tackle challenges with the Electoral College.

WHAT: LWV'sTurn Up for One Person One Vote panel

WHEN: June 27, 7pm ET

WHERE: Livestreamed onFacebook and later shared onYouTube

The Electoral College is an archaic system created to take power away from the people — historically from Black Americans, but nowadays from all people of color.

Together, we'll move our nation beyond the Electoral College and toward true representation.

In League,

Celina Stewart
Chief Counsel, Senior Director of Advocacy & Litigation
ue of Women Voters of the US

Toolkit + Actions + Webinar 

The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin's Constitutional Cornerseries highlights issues related to our state constitution. This week, let's explore a topic called the separation of powers doctrine. 

The legislature’s two questionson the August 13 ballot violate the separation of powers doctrine in Wisconsin.LWVWI is urging voters to vote no on both questions for many reasons. 

What is the separation of powers doctrine?

Wisconsin’s separation of powers doctrine is the system where the government's powers are divided into different branches to prevent any branch from becoming too powerful. The three branches are the legislative (makes laws), the executive (enforces laws) and the judicial (interprets laws). Each branch has responsibilities and can check the powers of the other branches, ensuring a balance of power within the government.

The Supreme Court has characterized the separation of powers doctrine as a “safeguard" to prevent the "encroachment or aggrandizement of one branch at the expense of the other.”

The two constitutional amendments on the August ballot will violate this separation of powers system. How?

First, it's no secret that the rise in constitutional amendments questions on the ballot is an attempt by the legislature to skirt the governor’s veto.

These current proposed amendments stem from legislation vetoed by Gov. Evers in April 2021. In response to that veto, the legislature – through these two questions – now intends to impose its own veto power over the executive branch when it comes to spending federal funds.

Second, if these amendments were to be implemented, the result would be another separation of powers violation. As for nearly 100 years, Wisconsin law has granted the governor sole power to appropriate federal funds, these amendments are nothing more than a power grab by the legislature. Furthermore, voters should be aware that the legislature is being disingenuous about its intentions and reasons for these constitutional amendments.

If these constitutional amendments pass, it will create an imbalance in our government. Our government is like a three-legged stool – take out a leg and everything comes crashing down. Vote NO to stop the legislature’s power grab and violation of Wisconsin’s separation of powers.

June 12, 2024

League of Women Voters of Beloit

2318 Parkmeadow Dr.

Beloit, WI 53511

The League of Women Voters Beloit would like to comment on the failed School District of Beloit referendum and student discipline:

1. The League of Women Voters supports the School District’s need for a referendum and is disappointed that it failed this spring.
2. The School District of Beloit must work to prioritize district needs, base decisions on data, and supply justification to the community on its decisions.
3. The League supports a transparent budget process with all decisions being made in the best interest of students, staff and families. Citizen input into the budget process is important; however, the School Board and Superintendent have to make the final decision based on the needs of the district.
4. The School District of Beloit Board needs to be transparent on all potential budget changes that affect the outcomes of student achievement and student behaviors and provide opportunities for community input.
5. The League also supports the periodic evaluation and review of the student code of conduct by teachers, administrators, counselors, parents, and students, to determine whether the (original) goals, objectives, and criteria are being met, and whether changes should be implemented.
6. The League supports district staff training on culturally sensitive, inclusive, and equitable discipline techniques.

The LWV of Beloit is continuing a 2 year study on Housing in Beloit.

A 2-year study ( 2023-2025) to update the LWV Beloit’s positions on Housing, Homelessness and Housing Code Enforcement.

The Housing Market is changing throughout the United States—what is happening here in the Beloit area?  Possible areas to be explored include updates to: Terminology, availability of different housing—owner occupied, rental units, rules & regulations, waiting lists, affordable accessible living arrangements, housing stock etc.

Affordable housing, ACTS, NeighborWorks, Transitional Housing, Homelessness

Registration and Ballot Information

  
Candidate and voter information

PowerPoint Presentation

The Air We Breathe

Ballot Bulletin: Poll Worker Selection Process

Time for another Ballot Bulletin where we highlight various election security topics so we are all better informed about the processes in place to ensure our elections are fair, accessible, and secure.

This week let’s dive into the poll worker selection process.

Here in Wisconsin, municipal clerks are responsible for ensuring all their polling places are staffed with enough poll workers. This includes appointing and training poll workers for each election. Law requires every municipality to appoint election inspectors from lists of nominees presented by the two dominant political parties. 

Both the Democratic and Republican Parties of Wisconsin recruit voters to serve as poll workers and must submit their lists of nominees to each county by November 30 of each odd numbered year (ex. 2023, 2025, 2027, …). Clerks must utilize the lists of potential poll workers provided by the parties before bringing in unaffiliated poll workers.

Party affiliated poll workers as well as unaffiliated poll workers must complete the application process to be appointed as poll workers for all elections held in the following two years. Clerks appoint poll workers by December 31 of the odd numbered year to serve over the following 2 years. Once appointed to the position by the clerk, poll workers become election officials.

Wisconsin law provides specific party affiliation requirements to ensure bipartisan representation in the election workforce. On Election Day, the municipal clerk should identify any election inspectors appointed by one of the two major political parties. The chief inspector must ensure that any Election Day tasks that require completion by two election inspectors are represented by each party when possible. Representation from both political parties is another check and balance put in place to ensure fair elections in Wisconsin. 

When a municipal clerk appoints special voting deputies to carry out absentee voting at certain care facilities, they similarly must appoint at least two individuals (one Democrat and one Republican) whenever possible.

All poll workers, party affiliated or not, must complete the training requirements of the municipality in which they will serve on Election Day or during in-person Early Voting.

>> Read previous Ballot Bulletins

Ballot Bulletin: Voting Rights for Wisconsinites with Felony Convictions

Time for another Ballot Bulletin where we highlight various election security topics so we are all better informed about the processes in place to ensure our elections are fair, accessible, and secure. 

Here in Wisconsin we must acknowledge that not everyone is eligible to vote - whether due to age, citizenship status, a guardianship decision, or due to a felony conviction. We must also recognize that our fellow Wisconsinites with criminal convictions - our family, friends, neighbors, and fellow community members - are not defined by the acts that led to their felony convictions.As the League of Women Voters we believe that every voice matters - and that includes our brothers and sisters with criminal convictions. Our democracy is better when we are all able to participate.

So what does the current law in Wisconsin say about voter eligibility for Wisconsinites with criminal convictions?

You can vote if you…

• were convicted of a felony and you are “off paper” (you are not on parole, probation, or extended supervision)

• are in jail on Election Day but have not yet been convicted of a felony or pled guilty to a felony

• were convicted of a misdemeanor, whether you are in jail or not

You cannot vote if you…

• are in prison or on probation, on parole or supervision for a felony or misdemeanor bribery or treason

Rights Restoration

Wisconsinites with felony convictions automatically have their voting rights restored after they have completed their felony sentence including probation, parole, or extended supervision. Once voting rights have been restored, those individuals must re-register to vote in order to participate in future elections. They can do so online at myvote.wi.gov, by mail, or in person.

Unfortunately, many people who have completed their felony sentence are not informed or are otherwise unaware that their right to vote has been restored. This is a gap in information that we all bear responsibility for addressing. Please help spread the word. Talk with your family and friends. If you or someone you know has questions, contact the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE.

>> Read previous Ballot Bulletins

Updated LWV Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy 

Discrimination or harassment of any kind will not be accepted within the League, including but not limited to race, socio-economic status, age, ability status, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, or marital status. The League is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging for all people. The League is an organization that respects and values the richness of our community and our members. The collective sum of our individual differences and life experiences represents not only our culture, but our reputation and the organization's mission and achievements as well.

Updated by LWVUS Board 1/21/2024