Rep. Shae Sortwell and Sen. Duey Stroebel introduce bill that would make it even harder for formerly incarcerated people to vote.

MADISON - There’s a nasty, and frankly racist, bill that’s circulating in the Wisconsin legislature right now that would make it even harder for formerly incarcerated people to vote in our state.

Before they’d be able to vote, they’d have to pay off all fines, costs, fees, surcharges, and restitution, which can run into five figures.

No one should be prevented from voting based strictly on the amount of money they have or their ability to pay. 

My colleague Iuscely Flores just posted her strong piece on this issue, which you can read here:

New GOP Bill in Wisconsin Is a Modern-Day Poll Tax

And we’d like to urge to contact your legislators and tell them not to co-sponsor (and not to support in any way!) these two bills.

Rep. Shae Sortwell and Sen. Duey Stroebel introduced LRB-1886 and LRB-5532, and they are trying to line up co-sponsors by Jan. 11.

That’s why it’s so important that you contact your legislators on this no later than Monday morning!

Thanks for your activism on this vital issue.

Best,

Matt Rothschild
Executive Director
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MADISON, Wis. — Thursday, Governor Tony Evers marked the first anniversary of the January 6th, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol:

Click here to view the full Twitter thread:

“There are those who would have us forget the fear, violence, and chaos of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol one year ago in an effort to prevent the peaceful transfer of power—the very cornerstone of our democracy. But we cannot forget, and we will not forget.

“We will not forget first responders who bravely defended our country, including the 140 officers who were assaulted, and those we’ve lost in the tragic aftermath. We will not forget those who feared for their lives, seeking shelter in closets and offices in our country’s Capitol.

“We will not forget all those that day and in the days since who’ve failed to condemn these actions, who’ve worked to revise history, and who’ve lacked the courage to do the right thing and defend our democracy when it mattered most.

“And we cannot forget because we are reminded every day what’s at stake. The assault on our democracy never stopped. For those who continue to sow division between us, those who spread misinformation about our elections, and those who stand idly by in silence, we will not forget.

“Our work to defend our democracy must continue. And I’ve said it before and I’ll say again today that democracy isn’t something that just happens for us—we choose to make it every day.

“As we reflect on this anniversary, Kathy and I are thinking about the first responders, elected officials, staffers, and members of the press put in harm’s way that day—who still grapple with the trauma caused by this event—and we're praying they find peace.”