Let’s celebrate the New Year and the
freedom to vote in 2025!

Visit MyVote.Wi.Gov and within a few clicks you can make sure you get an absentee ballot for every election this year.

Message from the Chair

Hello LWVDC Members,

Our former chair, Susie Kohout, often reminded us that the most meaningful impact happens at the local level—a message that has always resonated with me. As the national administration transitions, it’s important to remember that we can advance our mission to empower voters and defend democracy through local advocacy and education.

Our committees are hard at work, and we’d love for you to join us!

There are many ways to get involved and support our League’s efforts:

• Observer Corps (Education): We have openings in several municipalities and would love additional volunteers to observe and support their communities. Having more than one observer per area helps provide backup and shared perspectives.

• Natural Resources (Education/Advocacy): Learn more below about the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program and how you can contribute by joining our Natural Resources Committee.

• Speakers Bureau (Education): We’re developing presentations to educate our community on League positions and civics topics. Your voice and ideas could make a big difference!

• Legislative: Check out the details below to find out how you can get involved in this critical work.

To learn more about our work, we invite you to join our Leadership Meetings, held on the first Monday of each month. Check out our calendar for details.

As the League celebrates its 105th anniversary on February 14, our mission to preserve democracy remains as vital and relevant as ever!

Warmly,
Ann Morgan
Chair LWVDC

Annual Finance Drive

If you have not already, please consider making a donation to help support programming in the new year and/or sharing the link to our annual appeal webpage.

Thank you for all of your support!

Help shape the future of Wisconsin's outdoors by creating a personalized postcard with your favorite outdoor photo and a message in support of renewing the Knowles-Nelson. Your postcard will be printed and mailed to your legislators when budget decisions are being made. Visit knowlesnelson.org/postcards/ to send your postcard.

Right here in Door County, Knowles-Nelson investments have been critical in shaping our community's identity and natural character. The program has supported 480 local projects, from shoreline protection to hiking trails to scenic overlooks. These projects represent an investment of over $58 million and have helped protect 12,600+ acres of parks, trails, and natural areas. Learn more at KnowlesNelson.org.

To learn more, join the Natural Resources Committee by contacting the co-chairs at naturalresourcechairs@lwvdoorcounty.org.

Transformation Update - Membership Dues

LWV is switching to a new member portal for all Leagues across the country.
There is no action that members need to take right now, but we want to provide you with an overview of what these changes mean for you.

When the system launches in January 2025, you will receive an email to log in to the portal, but you will not be asked to renew again until a year after your most recent renewal (May/June for many of you). You will be given the option to sign up to auto-renew annually, and your membership will last a year after your last renewal. Once you have access to the portal, you will be able to update your own information, including contact information.

When it comes time to renew, you will receive an email reminder. The recommended dues amount for all members across the country will be $75, but members can pay any amount with a minimum of $20.

Your dues are split between the national, state and local leagues as follows:

LWVUS (33%) , LWVWI (47%) and LWV of Door County (20%). To illustrate, for dues of $75, LWV of Door County will receive $15. When you pay your dues, you will have the opportunity to make an additional contribution directly to LWV of Door County. This will need to be separate from your dues in order for 100% of your contribution to go to LWV of Door County. A higher dues amount is split between all levels of League so if you want to make a donation for LWV of Door County, do not include your additional donation in your dues payment. There will be a prompt asking if you want to contribute to your local league.

There will still be the option to renew by check for members who don't use the internet, but members who are able to access the portal and renew that way are encouraged to do so.

On a member level, we hope these changes will make managing your membership easier. On a League level, this is expected to increase membership around the country and increase our ability to empower voters and defend democracy. We will keep you informed as we have new and relevant information.

LWVDC Legislative Committee

You may or may not know that our Legislative Committee monitors bills of interest as they work their way through the Wisconsin Legislature.

They can, as needed, coordinate with the Action Committee and the League’s Observer Corp. They have met with both our Assembly and Senate representatives in each of the last two budget cycles to discuss and promote legislation that affects the county and falls under a League position. The committee also participates in the LWV Wisconsin Legislative Committee.

The LWVWI has developed State Budget Recommendations that will be sent to the Governor as the new biennium budget cycle begins in 2025. The state league priorities are Voting Rights, Economic Security, Natural Resources, Health Care (including Reproductive and Mental Health), and Education.

For more details on these priorities, contact Dan Powers at vsforums@lwvdoorcounty.org.

Lively Issues Discussion & Potluck Returns March 18

LWVDC’s annual Lively Issues meeting is an opportunity for local citizens to help identify hot topics and issues of local concern. All are invited (LWVDC membership not required) to enjoy the conversation and a meal. Bring your ideas and a dish to share.

WHEN: Tuesday, March 18, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Write On, Door County, 4210 Juddville Rd., Fish Creek.

Following the Lively Issues meeting, the LWVDC identifies topics for further study or action.

Please contact program@lwvdoorcounty.org with questions.

Supreme Court Election - Upcoming Webinars

Webinar 1 - Wisconsin Supreme Court Election: Ethics and Money on January 28

Join the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin for a virtual webinar at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 28. The program "Wisconsin Supreme Court Election: Ethics and Money" will provide voters with all the information they need for the next Wisconsin Supreme Court Election this spring.

Speakers include Jay Heck from Common Cause; former Supreme Court Justice Janine Geske; Attorney Doug Keith from the Brennan Center.

Webinar 2 - Wisconsin Supreme Court Election: Judging Judicial Candidates on February 25

Join the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin for the second of our webinars about the spring Wisconsin Supreme Court election. This virtual webinar is at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25th. The program "Wisconsin Supreme Court Election: Judging Judicial Candidates" will provide voters with information about how citizens can assess candidates’ perspectives on and knowledge of the judging process of a Supreme Court justice.

Speakers include: Chad Oldfather from Marquette University Law School; Rob Yablon of the State Democracy Research Institute; Attorney Jeff Mandell of Law Forward; George Penn of United to Amend.

New Members

This is an appeal for new members to introduce themselves. We have many new members and we want to get to know you! If you haven’t sent us your short bio and photo, please do.

Send to sandy.brown@lwvdoorcounty.org. Thank you!