The Janesville and Beloit Leagues invite you to the

FORWARD TOGETHER CELEBRATION

• SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2025, 10:00 a.m. (doors open at 9:30 a.m.)

• BELOIT PUBLIC LIBRARY

   

  

   

  

  
  

The State of Democracy in America

Speaker: Gene Van Galder

Gene Van Galder is a retired historian and educator of the subjects of civics and American History. Having traveled across the United States and all seven continents he is well versed on what it means to live in a democracy. Van Galder is a regular speaker for The Society for Learning Unlimited in Beloit when he is not traversing on one of his many GVG Tours.

The Leagues have gathered for the past years to celebrate our focus on: “Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.” We invite our communities, elected officials, and candidates to join us as we celebrate. Breakfast meal is included. Registration is $25.
Click here to Register online!  OR send a check for $25 to Gayle Hotchkiss, 2318 Parkmeadow Dr., Beloit, 53511. Register by February 1.

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