Election Season Is About to Begin!
Spring Primary Election: February 18
Local voters will be narrowing the number of candidates for the WI Supreme Court from 3 to 2, and City of Onalaska voters will narrow the number of candidates for mayor from 3 to 2.
Please display your "Everyone Vote" signs from February 3-18.
Our Voter Services Committee is asking that you put out your sign (if winter allows) on Monday, February 3, the start of early voting for many municipalities.
If you need signs or laminated add-ons with each of the 2020 election dates to attach to your sign, contact Chris Haskell at cshaskell@gmail.com.
Upcoming Events
Feb. 14th is the 100th Birthday of the League of Women Voters.
We hope you can join us to celebrate at Lunch & Learn on 2/11/20.
Come in period dress if you'd like,
and enjoy cupcakes from The Meringue Bakery for dessert.
February Lunch & Learn
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
Lunch at 11:30, Program at 11:45
The Waterfront
The Banquet Room
(entrance from the north parking lot)
The History of Women's Suffrage in Wisconsin
Theresa Kaminski
Emeritus Professor of History
This illustrated presentation traces the fight for women's voting rights in Wisconsin from statehood to the founding of the League of Women Voters in 1920. It highlights Wisconsin women Ada James, Olympia Brown, and Theodora Youmans, with cameo appearances by movement stalwarts Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony.
RSVP to reserve a lunch by 2/4 (cost $15).
Please remember that this year we are not accepting payment at the door on the day of the Lunch & Learn programs. We cannot receive reservations for lunch after the RSVP deadline. You will receive an email from LWVLA acknowledging receipt of your reservation. Unfortunately, prepaid lunches are nonrefundable.
Thanks!
You may respond and pay for your lunch via PayPal
or
by mailing a check for $15 to
LWV La Crosse Area
PO Box 363
La Crosse, WI 54602-0363
Please include special dietary considerations with your rsvp.
Speaking of Democracy
Join the Conversation at the LWV Book Club
Thursday, February 6, 6:30-8:00 PM
Java Vino, 1505 Losey Blvd S.
All Are Welcome!
The room rental cost is $15 to be divided among participants. Only a couple of dollars per person at most per time--what a bargain!
Birth of a White Nation: The Invention of White People and Its Relevance Today
by Jacqueline Battalora
"... an exploration of the moment in time when "white people," as a separate and distinct group of humanity, were invented through legislation and the enactment of laws."
"The book goes on to examine how foundational law and policy in the U.S. were used to institutionalize the practice of "white people" holding positions of power. Finally, the book demonstrates how the social construction and legal enactment of "white people" has ultimately compromised the humanity of those so labeled. "
Source: Amazon.
In November 2019, .Jacqueline Battalora gave three presentations in La Crosse. Her website with additional information is here.
2019-20 Climate Crisis Series from LWV of Dane County
Forum #3:
The Promise of Agricultural Stewardship
THIS EVENT IS FREE AND THE PUBLIC IS WELCOME!
SPEAKERS:
-
George Crave, Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese
-
Dick Cates, Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers
-
Kristen Kordet, Blue Moon Community Farm
-
Ralph Petersen, former NASA and NOAA scientist
Join George Crave, Dick Cates, and Kristin Kordet who will share their experiences of managing crops, livestock and land while juggling government policies, incentives and farmland development pressures, amidst weather impacted by climate change. Ralph Petersen will talk about the importance of climate models for farming.
This live broadcast is co-sponsored by the UWL Department of Environmental Studies. More information on the speakers and the topic can be found at the League of Women Voters - Dane County website here.
Special thanks to the LWVDC and the UWL Department of Environmental Studies
for partnering on this critical issue.
WHEN: Sunday, February 16, 2020, 1-3 PM
WHERE: Room 3314, UW-La Crosse Student Union (521 East Street N)
Listening Across the Political Divide
Join Us for Two Local Workshops on Civil Discourse
--facilitated by the nationally known, nonpartisan organization, Better Angels
As political differences are polarizing our communities, the LWVLA, Great Rivers United Way, English Lutheran Church, LeaderEthics Wisconsin, UWL Political Science & Policy Administration, Joe Heim, and Western Technical College are sponsoring an opportunity to learn how to speak civilly with each other. We may never change another person's mind, but we can understand where they are coming from, and we can remain friends. These skills are critical to communities the size of La Crosse and Onalaska.
You may attend both workshops. The 2/23 workshop is not a prerequisite for the 3/10 workshop. Both are free, thanks to the local sponsors, but please register for each that you will attend.
Depolarizing Within
Sunday, February 23
2:30 to 5:30 PM
English Lutheran Church
1509 King St.
Much of today's polarization is driven by how we talk with like-minded people about those on the other side. Too often, we stereotype, dismiss, or ridicule fellow citizens who support the other political party, its leaders, and its policies.
Skills Training
Tuesday, March 10
2:30 to 5:00 PM
Western Technical College
Lunda Center, 319 7th St. N.
At this workshop, you will: learn what it takes to have constructive, non-polarizing conversations; get a chance to practice these conversations; and be motivated to have these conversations with people in your social network.
SAVE THE DATE!
La Crosse Area League Programs
2019-2020
3/8 UWL
International Women's Day
4/1 Climate Change Forum 3: Water Impacts of Climate Change
4/14
Special Two-Hour Earth Day Program
4/18
Legislative Breakfast
5/18 LWV Annual Meeting
8/26 Centennial Year Closing Celebration
Local News
Members of the VOTE411 committee have sent Invitations for participation in the LWV voter guide to candidates for the February Spring Primary!
Vote 411 Invitations Sent to Local Candidates
LWVLA is a member of an Inter-League Organization with nearly 50 other Leagues in MN, IA, Il, and WI interested in protection of the Upper Mississippi River.
Stay informed by following them on Facebook:
The January 2020 UMRR Newsletter is available here. I contains articles related to sustainability on a meeting about farmland resiliency in Owatonna, MN, solar investment by citizens of Coon Rapids, MN, and water banking .
LWVUS News
How does impeachment work?
As a nonpartisan organization, the League of Women Voters offers unbiased information to voters seeking to learn more about the impeachment process here.
League Joins Letter Urging Increased Election System Security
Recent news reports have disclosed troubling weaknesses in commercially marketed voting systems and disturbing conduct by voting system vendors, raising significant questions. Voting system vendors have operated with little oversight and no regulation for decades. Given the gravity and urgency of this issue, LWVUS joined partners urging Senate committees to hold a hearing on election system security. Read our letter here.
League News
LWVWI News
Response to Court Actions Regarding Voter Purge in Wisconsin
MADISON, WI – The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin and their legal counsel, attorneys at the Fair Elections Center in Washington, DC, and Doug Poland of Rathje Woodward in Madison, have been tracking the developments and decisions in the state and federal court cases concerning the voter purge and the letter sent to voters identified by the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) as having potentially moved.
The state court litigation over the voter purge has been in flux for the last thirty days. After the circuit court held the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) in contempt for non-compliance with its prior order, the League through its counsel filed a motion in its federal court case seeking an expedited hearing on its motion for a preliminary injunction....With the Court of Appeals earlier this week issuing stays of the circuit court orders requiring WEC to begin deactivating voters, and then holding the Commissioners in contempt for failing to do so, there is less need for federal court intervention at this time. The federal court has denied our preliminary injunction motion, finding it unnecessary at this time, but the League can refile this motion at any point in the future. The League and its lawyers will be closely monitoring the state court proceedings in the meantime.
Although the court cases are still pending, this is the Commission’s position for now per a January 15, 2020 memo from WEC issued as instructions to municipal clerks:
No voters on the ERIC Movers List will be deactivated at this time. . . . In general, the plan approved by the Commission in June 2019 means that voters on the ERIC Movers List who have not contacted WEC or their municipal clerk to request continuation will be listed on the poll book with a watermark by their names. The watermark will say “Have you moved?” and will cue election inspectors to ask those voters about their status using a script. Voters who state that they have not moved will be asked to sign the poll book to affirm their address and continue their registration. Voters who state that they have moved will be directed to reregister to vote at their new address, as required by law.
This is important for voters to know how the process will be handled at their polling locations on Election Day. The League maintains that it is always beneficial for voters to regularly check their voter registration status and keep information up to date at MyVote.wi.gov or through their municipal clerk.
The League advises all Wisconsin voters to check their registration status at myvote.wi.gov.
UMRR-ILO News
Take Action:
Get involved! There are many ways to have your voice heard by elected officials and policy makers. Useful background information and recommended actions for influencing our elected representatives are provided by the LWVUS.
Take Action on League priorities here:
-
Demand a hearing on the For the People Act.
-
Support the Voting Rights Advancement Act.
-
Tell Congress to pass sensible gun laws.
-
Stand with the League against voter suppression.
Celebrating 100 Years of Women's Suffrage
The League of Women Voters of the La Crosse Area
Maple Leaf Parade Director's Award for Board's Choice
Thanks to Dahl Ford Auto Museum for the loan of their cars
and to drivers, Drake Hokanson and Dan Strittmater!
Welcome to what promises to be a very exciting and busy League year!
Not only are we celebrating a century of women's suffrage, but we are also anticipating a major election and a national census. Now, more than ever, we need your involvement and help.
Please consider becoming involved in League's efforts in one of the following areas:
-
assisting with voter education or registration,
-
volunteering to help with our programming and events,
-
facilitating census and centennial activities,
-
developing Vote 411 candidate information,
-
sharing your technology skills with our communication and technology teams,
-
donating financially to support our efforts to advocate, educate and inform.
If your talents, interests, and/or time are a good fit for any of our activities, let us know that you'd like to get involved by responding to this invitation at lwvlawi@gmail.com.
We have a lot to accomplish, Leaguers, but together we can do it!
It's going to be a great year.
Mary Nugent, LWVLA President