 |  |  | | Waukesha County Opportunity
TONIGHT! October 23rd, 5:30-8:30p.m. at Carroll University - The Waukesha County Green Team in collaboration with Carroll University and the Office on Sustainability and Clean Energy is hosting a Community Conversation called Now Is the Time. The event is Free and features Meteorologist Lindsey Slater as the guest speaker. For more information and to register click here.
Milwaukee County Opportunities
October 30, 6:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. at Washington Park Urban Ecology Center, 1859 N. 40th Street. Our League is Co-sponsoring a Community Conversation on Milwaukee County’s budget, transportation, climate and equity. You will hear directly from Milwaukee County Departments about what’s at stake in the County’s proposed 2026 budget. Ask questions and get the facts and raise your voice for protecting transit, public health and climate resilience. The event will be led by County Supervisor and LWVMC member Anne O’Connor. (Please Note: this event was originally scheduled for Oct 21st.)
November 1st, Our Power, Our Future: Holding We Energies Accountable, 9:30 light breakfast, 10-11:30 Presentation and Call to Action, 11:30 Storytelling Workshop, 1011 W. Center Street, North Division High School. Wisconsinites must stop paying the price for unhealthy air and higher utility bills. Sign up here.
Agenda:
- Education Session: Part 1- History of what Utilities doe on affordability and health
- Community Narrative Spotlight: Part 2- Where We Are & Impacts on Community
- Town Hall & Next Steps: Part 3- Taking Action together (featuring advocates, community leaders, and local elected officials)
Save the Date!
NOVEMBER 22, 10-noon, URGENT - Local Actions to Address Climate Change in Milwaukee County, Featuring Erick Shambarger, Director, City of Milwaukee Environmental Collaboration Office and Grant Helle, Milwaukee County Sustainability Director. Learn about our local governments’ efforts to address climate change and ways you can be active at the local level. Room 2135, (1st Floor meeting room), Summit Place, 6737 W Washington St., West Allis, WI 53214.
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Legislative Breakfast a Great Success
By Candice Owley VP Voter Services
On Monday October 20th the LWVMC held a very successful Legislative Breakfast. Members heard 13 State Senators and Representatives share their current and future legislative priorities for the State of Wisconsin. The priorities focused in large measure on the issues of education, healthcare, housing, climate change and Immigration rights in addition to support for bills dealing with gun violence and safe neighborhoods. One issue near and dear to the League was the broad support of the legislators for ensuring fair maps by adopting a bill to place redistricting in the hands of an impartial commission. Legislators praised the work of the LWVMC as an organization always in the forefront of fighting for voting rights.
Thanks to the following representatives for attending and sharing their time and views: Senators Habush-Sinykin; Larson; Johnson; Drake, and Representatives Moore; Andraca; Clancy; Sinicki; Tenorio; Vining; Kirsch; Haywood; Madison.
Thank you to the members who volunteered to help with set up; greetings and clean up: Mary Ellen Spicuzza; Amy Germershausen; Genene Hibbler; Leanne Rutowski; Barbara Beckert; Robyn Furger and also thanks to Genene Hibbler for taking pictures.
A special thanks to the Greater Milwaukee Foundation for supporting our League by attending, providing the event space free of charge and even helping to set up and take down the room. They are an amazing partner. |  |  | Two dinosaurs and a taco with LWVMC Past President Mary Kae Nelson (left), LWVMC VP of Voter Services Candice Owley (center) and Barb Eisenberg (right) on Saturday. | LWVMC Members March at No Kings 2
Dozens of League members could be seen in the crowd of approximately 16,000 at Cathedral Square in Milwaukee on October 18 to show their support for the Constitution and to defend democracy. Entertainment, including music, speakers from community organizations, and a satirical play, warmed up the crowd before they embarked on a large, loud and joyful but determined march.
League members participated in many of the other No Kings 2 protest marches held in neighboring communities.
LWVMC No Kings organizers Donna Spars and Candice Owley thank all participants for using this platform to send a message to the administration that you are saying "Yes" to the Constitution and "No" to authoritarianism. Special thanks for those who brought people who were new to protesting. |  | |
Weekly Protests:
Show the Administration you support the Constitution. Remember, numbers matter. Nonviolent protests are twice as likely to succeed as armed conflicts when 3.5% of the population are involved. 8.5 million voters is the 3.5% history tells us is necessary to try to stop authoritarianism. So, ask a friend or two to come with you.
SE Wisconsin Indivisible
Every Sunday, 3:00-4:00pm
1501 Miller Parkway, West Milwaukee
Weekly Bridge Brigade
Every Thursday, 4:00-5:30pm
Lincoln Avenue I-43/94 Overpass
Speak Up Saturdays
Every Saturday, 10:00-11:30am
76th and Layton, Greenfield
East Castle Saturday Group Protest
Saturdays, 1:00-1:30pm
Downer Ave., east side of the street, between Bradford Ave. and Lake Dr.
Tosa Weekly Peaceful Protest
Saturdays, 12:00-2:00pm
Corners of 76th and Bluemound & 76th and North
Questions? Call Jean at 414.531.3187 |  | |
LGBTQ+ News Update: A Mixed Picture of Challenges and Hope
Challenges and Their Impact:
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Declining Mental Health in Youth: A report by The Trevor Project, tracking over 1,700 youth for a year, revealed an 11% rise in anxiety, a 6% increase in depression, and a 6% increase in suicidal thoughts among LGBTQ+ youth. This suggests that ongoing misinformation and targeting are having an increasingly detrimental effect on this already vulnerable population.
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Increased Invisibility Among Adults: A recent survey indicates that LGBTQ+ adults are actively reducing their visibility, expressing fear and caution in response to the current political climate. This highlights a broader societal impact of the challenges faced by the community.
Glimmers of Hope and Support:
Despite the challenges, the Trevor Project study also identified some positive trends:
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Increased School Support: The percentage of students feeling supported at school rose by 5%, indicating the positive impact of inclusive environments.
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Peer Support: There was a significant 28% increase in participants seeking help from a friend, underscoring the importance of social networks and peer support for mental well-being.
Celebrating LGBTQ+ History: In a visible sign of support and recognition, the city of Milwaukee recently unveiled rainbow crosswalks at the intersection of National Avenue and S. 2nd Street. These crosswalks are part of a larger artistic movement in the Walker's Point neighborhood, designed to honor and celebrate Milwaukee's rich LGBTQ+ history.
Stay informed on LGBTQ+ legislation: https://fairwisconsin.com/bills-to-watch/
LGBTQ+ All Letters Matter | |
Karen Lemke To Represent LWVMC at LWV-LMR
Karen Lemke has been appointed by the LWVMC board of directors to represent LWVMC at the League of Women Voters-Lake Michigan Region (LWV-LMR). LWV-LMR is an Inter-League Organization including Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The mission of the inter-League organization is to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation in government and to act on selected governmental issues affecting the Lake Michigan watershed.
When asked why she was interested in attending Karen replied "I am interested in serving in this role because of the importance of building relationships with democracies around Lake Michigan as we face similar challenges and opportunities related to climate changes. My work organizing bioregionally in Milwaukee and globally through the Design School for Regenerating Earth positions me well to connect with the other liaison representatives as we plan for regional resilience."
Learn more here. |  | |
Did you know that ShotSpotter is a gunshot detection system that uses audio sensors to identify and locate (what it interprets to be) gunfire in real time? ShotSpotter has a high false positive rate and frequently misidentifies fireworks and car backfires for gunshots. What is more, ShotSpotter sensors are disproportionately deployed in Black and brown neighborhoods. The Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) is the only police department in Wisconsin that uses ShotSpotter.
If you reside in the City of Milwaukee, we encourage you to contact your alderperson and Mayor Johnson and urge them to ban the Milwaukee Police Department’s current and future use of surveillance technologies like ShotSpotter and Facial Recognition Technology. With the permission of the Milwaukee Turners, we are sharing sample call and email scripts that can be used to contact your alderperson and the Mayor. For more information please contact Emily Sterk, Chair of the Mass Incarceration Committee. |  |  | |
LWVWI Presents:
Understanding the Elections Canvass Process
Nov. 3, 2025 6:30 p.m.
Register here.
Election integrity relies on more than just casting ballots — it also depends on what happens after. In this webinar, we’ll explore Wisconsin’s municipal and county canvass processes, the transparency measures in place, and the role the public can play in observing. You’ll leave with a clearer picture of how votes are verified and confidence is built in our democratic system. | With the lease of another building in Milwaukee by ICE, its time to tell our elected officials that we don't want ICE in our town. So below is a League member's letter as an idea for writing your own email or a letter to your elected officials.
But do it soon, please.
Dear …..,
I am writing to express urgent concern about the expansion of ICE's presence in Milwaukee. We can look to our neighbor, Chicago, and other parts of the country to understand the chaos that results from their increased enforcement actions and presence.
News reports, photos, and videos show ICE agents descending from Black Hawk helicopters to conduct a raid in the early hours of the morning on a south side apartment building. Citizens of Chicago, along with their children, were dragged out of their beds, some partially naked, and were zip-tied in the streets while ICE agents ripped up their homes. Once again, children were separated from their parents. When is this ever acceptable?
The raid mentioned is one of many ICE operations across the country that have disrupted communities, causing unnecessary trauma, hardship, and violence. You can see that many cities in this country face the risk of militarization. No one, whether immigrant or citizen, is safe from the brutal and inhumane tactics of these ICE agents.
Please let me know what plan the (state, county, city) has to prevent the same fate from befalling Milwaukee.
Thank you for considering the voices and welfare of our community.
Sincerely,
| Why I Volunteer
by April Hartman
Yep…that is me, April Hartman, in the black tee, at our ReproWarrior booth at Harbor Fest on Sept 28th….our most successful community outreach event this year - 165 messages to our legislators and 52 email addresses from community members who want to hear how they can support our goals.
In my 20’s and 30’s I benefitted from my own access to reproductive healthcare in WI, including contraception, abortion, and perinatal care. My kids are adolescents now and it is a source of anxiety and anger that their generation does not have the same rights and access to care.
But being a member of the LWVMC Reproductive Rights Committee helps me feel empowered and connected to the fight for bodily autonomy in WI. I learn about advocacy strategies from more experienced members. I stay informed through bi-weekly meetings and emails that include planning, idea-sharing, and articles about relevant topics and events.
We seek out and use every opportunity for advocacy, including collaboration with other groups fighting for reproductive rights. We prioritize community outreach informing WI voters about the issue and informing people about the need for state constitutional protection.
We gather petition signatures and help participants add their messages to the joyous “Garland of Choice,” which we plan to take to the Capital to show legislators their constituents' messages. The art installation draws people in and I have enjoyed the pride and engagement that participants express.
The committee has been welcoming to new members and genuinely wants participation and insight from all. At the same time, they have been respectful of busy schedules and time limitations that we all have. I am grateful for the opportunity to be in the arena with these women and hope other members who are interested will join the committee or volunteer at a community outreach event. Contact Gail @ g.sklodowska@lwvmilwaukee.org to learn more about this work.
| LWVMC is starting a Speakers Bureau to provide civic education in a more strategic, intentional, and organized way for the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County. Presentation topics will include voting, democracy, and issues that we advocate for. We will reach more people by sending speakers out to civic and church groups, service organizations, neighborhood associations, and other groups.
Does this interest you? The effort will take a diversity of talent to develop presentations, recruit speakers, find speaking opportunities, and match speakers to topics and schedule the presentation.
If you are interested and have time to engage with educational outreach, please contact Mary Voelker at m.voelker@lwvmilwaukee.org for more information. | |
With the League’s Monthly Giving Program, you can make a monthly gift that fits your budget and adds up to make a large impact on the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County.
Do you have a donor advised fund (DAF)? LWVMC accepts gifts from donor advised funds. The EIN # is 39-6096750. Call your DAF administrator today and start a monthly gift from your donor advised fund to the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County.
If you don’t have a donor advised fund, set up your monthly donation with your credit card. Go to Recurring Donations on the Donate Page of the League website and follow the prompts. Any questions, contact Mary Voelker at m.voelker@lwvmilwaukee.org |  |  | |
MyVote Online Voter Registration & Photo ID for Voter Voting In Person Training
Thurs. Nov. 6th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
League offices- Summit Place, 6737 W Washington Street, West Allis
Now is the time to prepare yourself to help people register to vote. 2026 will be a major election year with spring elections for Supreme Court and municipal officials and a fall election that could change the majority of the state legislator and will elect a new Governor as well as US Congressional Representatives.
To prepare for this big election year we are holding an in-person training program. Learn how to register people to vote using MyVote.wi.gov. Learn what is acceptable photo ID for voting in Wisconsin and how to acquire it. Join other league members as we prepare to help our community get ready for this big election year.
Question regarding this announcement? Please email e.aelion@lwvmilwaukee.org
This training is especially important for anyone interested in Jail-based voting registration opportunities. |  | |
Waukesha County Volunteer Coordinator for VOTE411 Needed
VOTE411 is a nonpartisan online voter guide provided by the League of Women Voters Education Fund. In order to produce this guide for all voters, LWV needs lots of help! Community volunteers contact municipal or school board clerks to get candidate information.
Community Volunteer Coordinators for Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties work with volunteers and with clerks to collect this information and to relay it to tech team volunteers who post candidates and their contact information to the system. The League invites the candidates to participate in the online voter guide and answer questions important to their constituents. The candidates respond to our questions on the VOTE411 site.
We need a Waukesha County Volunteer Coordinator for VOTE411! Experience with VOTE411 is helpful, whether as a community volunteer or otherwise, but not essential. If you are interested or want more information, please contact Beth Lueck at b.lueck@lwvmilwaukee.org |  |
October 24th at 10:00 a.m.
Milwaukee Public Library’s East Side Library Community Room
To all League members possibly interested in League Café: the book and discussion group of the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County
We will meet next week and there is always plenty to discuss, with the various current events.
This meeting will be very important because it is also time to choose books for upcoming months. We are trying to cover topics related to Advocacy groups of the LWVMC. We have a new short list to choose from that will be passed out, but if you have something “great” to suggest, we can add to the list. Also because of the holidays in Nov. & Dec., we need to either confirm our usual dates or agree on a change of date. Most of the books we read are available in the Milwaukee Co. library system. Boswell Books gives a 10% discount to Book Club members and has a special shelf for book club designated books. I will notify them of the books we choose, so it is helpful to choose ahead. |  |  | | The Brennan Center for Justice Presents:
The Power of the Purse
Tuesday, October 28th from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET
RSVP for this free virtual event.
The Constitution gives Congress the authority to decide how much the federal government spends and for what purposes. Since taking office, the current administration has attempted to freeze federal financial assistance, terminate already-awarded scientific research grants, prevent states from accessing emergency disaster relief, and circumvent federal statutes through unlawful “pocket rescissions.”
Join a live virtual event with Brennan Center experts and former Office of Management and Budget director Shalanda Young, who will break down the efforts to undermine Congress’s funding authority, the lawsuits challenging them, and the impact of these actions on Americans’ daily lives. | |
VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON REGISTRATION HERE.
| Lots of Ways to Support Local Democracy and Your League. Thank You! | Follow us on Social Media! | You have received this message from the mailing list of League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County. If you would prefer not to receive these emails in the future, go to the opt-out page and modify your privacy settings. You can also request to be removed from our database completely. | |