Elections
Recall Walker – One Million Strong
Congratulations! Over 1.9 million signatures have been collected to recall Gov. Scott Walker. You helped make this possible!
Moving forward, we need to:
- Keep the pressure on our state and local officials to create good jobs and maintain quality public services
- Get out the vote in 2012 for pro-worker, pro-family candidates
- And help pass sound legislation in 2013
In addition to the overwhelming support to recall the governor, more than enough signatures were collected to recall Lt. Gov. Kleefisch and four state senators.
- Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch – 845,000
- Sen. Terry Moulton of Chippewa Falls – 21,000+
- Sen. Pam Galloway of Wausau -21,000+
- Sen. Van Wanggaard of Racine – 24,000
- Sen. Scott Fitzgerald – 20,600
_______________________________
The Recall Walker campaign began Nov. 15th, giving us until Jan. 17th to gather 540,206 signatures. Let’s move Wisconsin forward!
Here’s how you can get involved:
SEIU Endorses Barack Obama for President
With great pride and a sense of purpose, the 2.1 million members united in SEIU endorse President Barack Obama for re-election.
President Obama is the only candidate for president who shares our vision of America as a land of opportunity for everyone. We need a leader willing to fight for the needs of the 99 percent, and stand with hard working families to say that the world’s wealthiest corporations must pay their fair share.
Recall Elections: Making History
In February and March, we saw unprecedented attacks on Wisconsin workers including the legislature’s push to take away collective bargaining rights from public employees. We immediately saw an incredible public response as tens of thousands traveled to Madison to protest the attacks.
The Wisconsin 14– our 14 Democratic senators– left their families and fled to Illinois to prevent the collective bargaining bill from passing. In the meantime, Republican leaders bent rules to pass the bill without the Democrats present.
From all this, we saw an intense grassroots movement to recall eight Republican senators who worked diligently against fair employment standards. Six of those Republicans were successfully brought to recall election on August 9th and two were unseated by pro-worker, pro-family Democratic candidates: Jennifer Shilling (La Crosse) and Jessica King (Oshkosh). Republicans also attempted to recall some of the Wisconsin 14, but were not successful.
While we did not regain a Democratic majority in the Senate, we did accomplish incredible feats and made a lasting impact on our state and our country.
- Thousands of volunteers mobilized millions of voters. The coalition We Are Wisconsin alone recruited over 12,000 volunteers who knocked on 125,000 doors during GOTV weekend.
- Voter turnout was at or over fall election rates in every district. Polls closed right before 9pm because of long lines. Precincts in some districts saw almost 80% voter turnout.
- Every recall district saw a shift away from GOP support. While Obama won Wisconsin in 2008, the recall districts voted GOP. GOP support dropped 4.9% since 2010 in Districts 14, 18 and 32.
- A statewide movement was built in record time. We accomplished more in six months than had been achieved in the 85 years since recalls were added to our state constitution.
- Our accomplishments have sparked a national movement. There is now a national conversation about the middle class and collective bargaining. Leaders know workers will fight back.
SEIU Board directors, staff and members across the state thank all who contributed to the recall effort.
Whether you knocked on doors, made phone calls, dropped lit, or forwarded an email to a few friends, you helped Wisconsin accomplish what it has never accomplished before.
Thank you.
Voter Resources
Update on Voter ID Lawsuit:On March 12th, a Dane County judge issued a permanent injunction against the voter ID bill, saying it is unconstitutional to abridge the right to vote. The photo ID requirement is blocked at least through the June 5 election, but it will likely be appealed up to the Supreme Court. We highly recommend all voters take time this summer to get proper ID for the fall elections. Stay tuned for more information.
Important Dates:
June 5 – Recall General for governor, lt. governor, and Senate Districts 13, 21, 23 and 29
Aug 14 – Fall Primary (federal and state)
Nov 6 – Fall General (federal and state) and Presidential Election
Click here for important absentee/early voting and registration deadlines
Quick Facts:
- You can vote if you are a U.S. citizen and have lived in WI at least 28 consecutive days prior to Election Day.
- You can vote if you are a convicted felon who is off papers and parole.
- You can obtain a FREE photo ID for voting purposes.
- You need to register to vote if your name or address has changed since the last election or if you have never registered before.
- In order to vote in your current district, you must live in that district at least 28 consecutive days prior to Election Day. If you have lived in your current district less than 28 consecutive days prior to Election Day, you can vote in your previous district.
- You can still register to vote at your polling place on Election Day. You must bring your photo ID and proof of residence to do so.
- Your photo ID does not need your current address and can be accepted if expired no earlier than Nov. 2, 2010.
- Polls are open 7am – 8pm in all wards.
- All employees are entitled to up to three hours leave to vote. The employee must request leave before Election Day. Pay can be deducted for time lost. The employer can set the time for leave to vote.
Election Information:
Visit the Government Accountability Board website for information about:
- Voter registration
- Absentee and early voting
- State elections and election results
- Voter ID / FREE photo ID
- Proof of residence
- Redistricting
- Becoming a poll worker: City of Milwaukee / City of Madison
Visit the Voter Public Access website for information about:
Visit the ACLU website for information about:
Other Online Resources:
Click here for information about the Election Defense Alliance and how you can help ensure that every vote counts.
Click here for federal election information from SEIU International
Click here for information about donating to COPE, SEIU’s member political education fund
Click here to get local, state, and federal labor and political news updates from SEIU WI State Council
Click here to learn how to obtain a Wisconsin ID
Click here to contact your municipal clerk about becoming a voter registration deputy, voting early, and other election matters
Helpful Documents:
SEIU WI State Council 2012 Endorsements
SEIU Wisconsin State Council Legislative Scorecard 2009-2010
Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Legislative Issue Brief: WI Act 22 (voter ID law)
How do I vote under the new voter ID law?
How the new law affects voter registration
Information about which photo IDs are acceptable to vote and how to obtain a FREE voter ID
Overview of recent changes to WI election laws
Lawsuits Against Voter ID Law:
American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin