THE D EMOCRATIC VOICE
February 2020 Newsletter
Upcoming clerk's office up to 5:00 p.m. on the Friday before the election. Proof of Events Residence is required for any elector, who is not a military or permanent 8th Democratic Presidential Candidate overseas elector, who registers in Debate, Friday, February 7 person at the Municipal Clerk's Office. Time: 7:00 p.m. CST, ABC will partner Spring Election Information with WMUR-TV and Apple News At the Polling Place on Election Day: The 2020 election season will 60 Days to Victory - Day of Action, If you wish to register to vote at your be underway on Tuesday, February Saturday, February 8, Canvassing Shifts polling place, you must bring proof of 18, 2020 with the spring primary for at 9:00 a.m. and noon in La Crosse and your residency. Onalaska. More information on p. 2 candidates for the Wisconsin Supreme Examples of proof of residency Court, followed by the spring election LCDP Regular Meeting, Monday, include Wisconsin Driver License and presidential preference primary February 17, 2020, 6:30 p.m., Ho-Chunk or ID, utility bill, bank statement, on Tuesday, April 7, 2020. Nation Three Rivers House, 724 Main St., paycheck, government documentation La Crosse To double-check your voter or lease with your name on it at your registration, find your polling place, 9th Democratic Presidential Candidate current address. see your February sample primary Debate, Wednesday, February 19, Time: ballot, or request an absentee ballot, TBA, NBC News and MSNBC Time Off for Voting.Wisconsin go to https://myvote.wi.gov/en- statute requires every employer to give 10th Democratic Presidential US/MyVoterInformation Provide Candidate Debate, Tuesday, February 25 employees three consecutive hours your name and birth date and click Time: TBA, CBS News and the off for voting on election days even if “Search.” Congressional Black Caucus Institute you have time to vote before or after For various election-related links, work. https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/ County Chairs Association Meeting go to http://www.co.la-crosse.wi.us/ and DPW Winter Retreat, Saturday, statutes/statutes/6/III/76 countyclerk/elections.asp Click on February 29 – Sunday, March 1, More “Any person entitled to vote at an the appropriate links to see sample information on p. 3 election is entitled to be absent from ballots, absentee voting (early voting) work while the polls are open for a Progresstival – Leap into Action, requirements and hours for La Crosse Saturday, February 29, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 period not to exceed 3 successive County municipalities, and candidates p.m., Concordia Ballroom, 1129 La hours to vote. The elector shall notify registered for office. Crosse St., La Crosse, WI the affected employer before election day of the intended absence. The Voter Photo ID Required!! employer may designate the time of A photo ID is required to receive a If you are not registered to vote, you day for the absence. No penalty, other ballot in all elections. Learn more have two options before the February 11 than a deduction for time lost, may about photo ID and voting by visiting primary. be imposed upon an elector by his or the Bring It to the Ballot website her employer by reason of the absence (https://bringit.wi.gov/ ). In Person: Register in the municipal authorized by this section.“ Support the LCDP Office for a Day Donation - $10 In 2020, we will have a year-round office! We hope to fill the space with activities and events that will encourage people to learn about issues and candidates; vote and help others vote; work to support and elect Democrats locally, 60 Days to Victory - Day of Action state-wide, and nationally; connect our community over important issues; and much more! Saturday, February 8, 2020 @ 9:00 am - 3:00 pm If you are able, consider donating to help us pay rent La Crosse and Onalaska Canvassing Staging Locations - and internet. In 2018, the generosity of members paid shifts at 9 a.m. and noon two months’ rent for our office downtown! This year, we're fortunate that utilities are included in our rent and low-cost insurance is available through the DPW. Your donation We have multiple staging locations, with shifts at 9:00 and of just $10 per month will pay for one day at the office noon. Our goal is to fill 100 canvasser shifts. If canvassing including our internet. is not your choice, we need you to volunteer and help with You may set up a monthly donation online through driving canvassers, organizing canvass sites, reporting to ActBlue at laxdems.com/donate or mail a check to Madison, or providing snacks and hot drinks. LCDP, Box 1861, La Crosse, WI 54602-1861.
La Crosse Staging Location - LCDP Office, 1323 Gillette St. Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/sz4rb5h
Onalaska Staging Location - home of Linda Schams, 1405 Lake St. Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/skqqzny
February 1st
We had a successful open house at the LCDP office at 1323 Gillette St. Approximately 4 dozen individuals, including members, non-members, past volunteers, LCDP Board members, and neighborhood team leaders, attended the office open house on Saturday, February 1. Individuals liked the flow of the space, as well as its décor. Thanks to all the individuals who donated refreshments and/or signed up to volunteer in the future. Stop by during hours: M-W-F from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. How to be a Delegate Training Session CCA/DPW in La Crosse, March 16, 2020 Interested in running to be a National Convention Delegate or just want more information on the process?
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin will be hosting several National Convention info sessions all across Wisconsin in Winter & Spring 2020. These meetings are free to attend and County Chairs Association Meeting open to the public.
and DPW Winter Retreat Please note that space is often limited, and preference will be given to those who RSVP. This retreat is open to ALL of our county party leaders, members, and volunteers. Monday, March 16th, 2020 When: Saturday, February 29 – Sunday, March 1 5:00 p.m. Where: The Wilderness Resort & Glacier Conference Ho-Chunk Nation Three Rivers House Center, 511 E. Adams, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965 724 Main St., La Crosse WI RSVP HERE: https://forms.gle/Z75xspMuGd3LLgMT8 Cost: REGISTRATION INFO: Cost is $25 (includes: 2-breakfasts, 2-lunches, and 1-dinner) Register for the CCA/DPW Winter Retreat Follow the LCDP on @ https://tinyurl.com/tpfoprt Donate the $25 registration fee @ https://secure.actblue.com/donate/cca2020
The DPW Winter Retreat will have Training and Workshop and sessions on Facebook, How to Run a Caucus, Fundraising, Outreach/Visibility, Growing Membership and Volunteer Base, Google Docs/Forms/Mailchimp, Race-Class Narrative, MiniVAN/Reach, and New Chair Training. @lacrossedems @lacrossedems
February Fridays at the LCDP Office, 13232 Gillette St., La Crosse, WI RSVP to attend any or all of the events at https://tinyurl.com/lcdpfebfri
Friday, February 7, 6 to 8:30 p.m.: Friday Features - Film and discussion (with popcorn). Chisholm 72: Unbought and Unbossed (By Shola Lynch. 2004. 76 min.) - This Peabody-Award-winning documentary recalls a watershed event in U.S. politics: the 1972 Democratic presidential campaign of Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman elected to Congress and the first to seek nomination for the highest office in the land. FREE and OPENTO ALL. For more details, contact: treasurer@laxdems. com or 608-315-2693 Friday, February 14, 4 to 6 p.m.: Letters for Progress - We'll write to our local newspapers, our neighbors, and to potential Democratic voters to educate and motivate. We'll use the Indivisible letter writing guide, materials from the Progressive OpEd Writing Clinic, and VoteForward, a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower grassroots volunteers to help register voters from under-represented demographics and encourage them to vote. Pizza provided. For more details, contact: [email protected] or 608-315-2693 Friday, February 21, 6 to 8:30 p.m.: Friday Features - Film and discussion (with popcorn). Knock Down the House (By Rachel Lears. 2019. 86 min.) - an award-winning Netflix documentary about the 2018 Democratic congressional campaigns of four working class-women. FREE and OPEN TO ALL. For more details, contact: [email protected] or 608-315-2693 Friday, February 28, 4 to 6 p.m.: Letters for Progress - We'll write to our local newspapers, our neighbors, and to potential Democratic voters to educate and motivate. We'll use the Indivisible letter writing guide, materials from the Progressive OpEd Writing Clinic, and VoteForward, a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower grassroots volunteers to help register voters from under-represented demographics and encourage them to vote. Pizza provided. For more details, contact: [email protected] or 608-315-2693 RSVP to attend any or all of the events at https://tinyurl.com/lcdpfebfri State Democrats Focus on Fairness Far too many families struggle with By State Senate Minority Leader economic insecurity. Medical costs are Jennifer Shilling (D-32nd) skyrocketing and reckless trade wars are La Crosse Tribune Op-Ed, January 12, 2020 threatening our family farmers. We cannot ask the people of Wisconsin to As I look back on 2019, I am proud to settle for any less than they deserve. We were remember the achievements and priorities of elected to address the issues facing Wisconsin Wisconsin Democrats. It was a new era for our families and it is our responsibility as lawmakers state with a new governor focused on the needs to serve our communities and do what is best for and values of Wisconsinites. the state of Wisconsin. With Gov. Tony Evers at the helm, we were In 2020, my Democratic colleagues able to highlight the overwhelming public and I are committed to working with Gov. support for solutions that can propel our state Evers to advance bold solutions that restore forward. fairness, expand opportunities, and invest in Going into 2020, Wisconsin Democrats communities. remain focused on those same values that put I believe these goals are well within our families, workers and communities first. reach. Together we can build a brighter We believe in prioritizing the people of and better tomorrow for current and future Wisconsin and addressing the issues residents generations to enjoy. face every single day by lowering health-care costs, ensuring our schools are properly funded and expanding economic security for families and seniors. Simply put, Wisconsin does better when we all do better. Democrats want to tackle the tough issues, strengthen communities and ensure Wisconsin is place where the next generation wants to live, work and raise a family. We want to restore tax fairness and close Thanks to Jan Fischer, Fred Giese, and Janis tax loopholes that allow corporations to shift Hanson for serving on the three-person review their tax burden onto homeowners and small committee to audit the financial records of the businesses. LCDP. They met with Treasurer Cathy Van We want to lower the cost of health care Maren on January 29, 2020, and certified that for families by expanding Medicaid, capping the financial records are a true and accurate prescription drug prices and bolstering depiction of the receipts and disbursements protections for people with preexisting of the LCDP for the period January 1, 2019 conditions. through December 31, 2019. We want to strengthen clean water protections to ensure that every Wisconsinite can safely drink water from their tap. Democracy is not just the right to While I am hopeful we can find broad “ bipartisan consensus for these common-sense vote; it is the right to live in dignity. solutions to the challenges we face, time is of ” the essence. ~ Naomi Klein Our Elected Officials Posting of Unapproved Minutes Governor Tony Evers A couple of LCDP members have expressed an interest in Office of the Governor receiving regular minutes prior to the next regular LCP meeting. 115 East State Capital If you want to receive the minutes early, please contact the Madison, WI 53702 LCDP secretary, David Wulf, at [email protected] or 608- Ph: 608-266-1212 799-8977. He will mail them as a PDF with an UNAPPROVED watermark. No hard copies will be sent. Senator Tammy Baldwin 717 Hart Senate Building Washington, DC 20510 Ph: 202-224-5653, Fax: 202-224-9787 Senator Ron Johnson (R) Some Facts On Your 328 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. Office Building LCDP Membership Ph: 202-224-5323 The best and easiest way to renew your La Crosse County Democratic Party membership is through your local county Congressman Ron Kind treasurer. Once you are a member of the county, you are 1406 Longworth House Office Building automatically a member of the 3rd Congressional District (3rd Washington, DC 20510 CD) and the Democratic Party of Wisconsin (DPW). You need Ph: 202-225-5506, Fax: 202-225-5739 to submit membership dues only once a year to be a member State Senator Jennifer Shilling of all three. It is unnecessary to submit duplicate memberships State Capitol 106 South through the county and also through the state. If you have P.O. Box 7882 questions about your membership, please contact Cathy Van Madison, WI 53703-7882 Maren, your current LCDP treasurer, at 608-315-2693, or at Ph: 608-266-5490, Local: 608-782-2785 [email protected]
94th Assembly District Representative Steve Doyle Room 124 North, State Capitol P.O. Box 8952 Madison, WI 53708 Ph: 608-266-0631 or 888-534-0094 Fax: 608-282-3694 We Welcome Your Input Any thoughts or suggestions you may have for your Executive 95th Assembly District Representative Jill Billings Board are greatly appreciated. You can express them by Room 4 West, State Capitol contacting any board member, either by phone or email. P.O. Box 8952 Madison, WI 53708 Ph: 608-266-5780
LCDP Executive Board Officers Chair: Michael Smuksta 608-769-5286 Renewing Your Membership! You can renew your membership using the membership form Vice Chair: Ed Burgess found at the end of this newsletter. If you are receiving this 608-799-1944 newsletter via mail, please look at your mailing label to see when your membership expires. Thank you for your continued Treasurer: Cathy Van Maren support! 608-315-2693
Secretary: David Wulf 608-799-8977
At-Large Board Members: William Garcia Obbie King If you are receiving this newsletter in the mail Peter Klitzke and would prefer to receive it via email instead, Ashley Skoczynski please contact David Wulf at 608-799-8977 or Avery Van Gaard College Representative: Savannah Zuzick (UW-L) [email protected]. La Crosse County Democratic Party rosse County Democratic P PRSORT STD La C arty P. O. Box 1861 U.S. POSTAGE La Crosse, WI 54602 -1861 PAID LA CROSSE, WI Paid for by the La Crosse County Democratic PERMIT NO. 588 LaxDems.com Party. The contents herein are not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
For the LCDP to build upon its success in 2019 and continue activities into 2020, we are going to need volunteers and funding. The party is only as strong as the engagement of its members and friends. And that is where you come in. We have many opportunities for you to volunteer your skills. Also, please consider a contribution of any amount to help support activities and events to broaden our base.
You may send a contribution to: LCDP, P. O. Box 1861, La Crosse, WI, 54602-1861. For online contributions go to our website www.laxdems.com.
Thank you.
There are three ways to join through the LCDP: 1. Print and mail your check and the form (available also at tinyurl.com/lcdpmbrform) 2. Visit laxdems.com/join-the-party and complete Received ______your application and payment online. Renewal Month ______3. Come to a LCDP event and complete the process and payment in person. Name(s)______Name(s)______Please check the dues structure that applies: Address______City______$10 Senior, Student, Limited Income State ______Zip Code ______$25 General Membership (1 member) Phone ( )______$35 Pairs (up to two members) Email______$45 yearly Activist (up to 3 members) *Occupation______$75 yearly (family)
___ $120 Supporting Membership *Contributions are not tax deductible for federal tax purposes. ___ $240 Friend State law requires us to use our best efforts to collect ___ $600 Patron and report the name, mailing address, and occupation of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 in a calendar year. I would like to support the LCDP with a donation of $______I'm interested in learning more about DPW caucuses: Total Amount Paid $______ American Indian Caucus Make checks payable to: Black Caucus La Crosse County Democratic Party Environmental Caucus P. O. Box 1861 Labor Caucus La Crosse, WI 54602-1861 Latinx Caucus You may also donate online: www.laxdems.com. LGBT Caucus Paid for by the La Crosse County Democratic Progressive Caucus Party. Rural Caucus Veterans' Caucus Women's Caucus