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Do what you can, when you can, and know you're not alone.

Progressive women, gender nonbinary folks & male allies fighting #TheResistance in Dane County and Madison, WI, through activism, advocacy and volunteering.

Hello, you high-powered honey badgers

THIS WEEK

Local issue

The Wisconsin GOP have introduced a resolution to eliminate same day voter registration. This would be a significant blow to voter turnout. 

National issue

Guns. Again. Better background checks. Now.

Happy calling and emailing!


xoxo,
Kate + Hilary

Local Action
 
Studies have shown that, while calling is more effective, emailing still has a big influence on representatives. Call OR email, as time or preference allows!
TOPIC

Wisconsin GOP wants to abolish same-day voter registration. 

What's the deal?

The Wisconsin GOP has passed a resolution to abolish same day (Election Day) voter registration, among other restrictive proposals targeting students and other eligible voters. Scott Walker has long criticized same-day voter registration.

Why's eliminating it bad?

Eliminating same day registration does nothing to protect the integrity of our electoral process and would only disenfranchise voters, says Erin Grunze, League of Women Voters of Wisconsin’s Executive Director. 

In the November 2016 election, over 380,000 voters registered on Election Day

Yeah, but will it cost us anything to change the rule?

Eff yes it will. Eliminating same day voter registration in Wisconsin would cost the state at least $13.1 million, according to the WEC (formerly, Government Accountability Board.) Because Wisconsin has same day registration, the state is exempt from having to comply with parts of the National Voter Registration Act. Upon elimination of same day registration, Wisconsin would be required to offer voter registration services at the Department of Motor Vehicles and other public agencies. 

(source) (source)
CONTACTS

NOTE

Robin Vos' district is outside Dane County. As Speaker, however, he effectively represents all of Wisconsin, and his office is therefore used to hearing from folks outside his district.
Governor Walker
📞 PHONE TEMPLATE

Hi, my name is [ NAME ] and I'm a constituent from [ ADDRESS ].

I’m calling about the resolution introduced at the Wisconsin Republican State Convention to eliminate same day voter registration.

Eliminating same day registration adds one more hurdle to voter participation and makes democracy harder to participate in. In 2016, more than 380,000 voters registered on election day.

I'm asking Governor Walker to stand against this resolution. Will he commit to protecting same day voter registration? 


IF NO:

Please ask the governor to reconsider. There are budgetary implications as well. According to the WEC, eliminating same day voter registration in Wisconsin would cost the state at least $13.1 million. Because Wisconsin has same day registration, the state is exempt from having to comply with parts of the National Voter Registration Act. Upon elimination of same day registration, Wisconsin would be required to offer voter registration services at the Department of Motor Vehicles and other public agencies.

IF YES:

Great, thank you. I will be watching closely.


Thank you for your hard work answering the phones.

[IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied]
✉️ EMAIL TEMPLATE
It's important, as with the phone call, to personalize this template. Studies have shown that people are likely to disregard form emails, believing they were sent without the sender's knowledge or consent.

Hi, my name is [ NAME ] and I'm a constituent from [ ADDRESS ].

I’m writing about the resolution introduced at the Wisconsin Republican State Convention to eliminate same day voter registration.

Eliminating same day registration adds one more hurdle to voter participation and makes democracy harder to participate in. In 2016, more than 380,000 voters registered on election day.

I'm asking Governor Walker to stand against this resolution. Will he commit to protecting same day voter registration? 

Thank you for your hard work answering emails.

Sincerely, 
[FULL NAME]
[FULL ADDRESS]

National Action
Studies have shown that, while calling is more effective, emailing still has a big influence on representatives. Call OR email, as time or preference allows!
TOPIC

Support expanded background checks for gun purchases.

What's the deal?

Just three months and three days after the horrific Parkland shooting, Santa Fe High School became another school shooting statistic. 

Although the guns used in the shooting have since been found out to be obtained legally (from the shooter's father), one immediate change we can help support is to close background check loopholes. Currently, background checks are mandatory for commercial gun sales but not for purchases made through private sellers, at gun shows, or online.

To fix this serious problem, Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) introduced the Background Check Expansion Act, along with 31 Democrat co-sponsors, which would make background checks nearly universal. The bill would close the "gun show loophole" by mandating that all sellers run potential buyer information through the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). It would also require a licensed firearms dealer run a NICS check on buyers purchasing a gun from a private seller. The bill maintains some exceptions for law enforcement officials, loans for hunting and sporting events, or for immediate self-defense.

In the House, Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Pete King (R-NY) introduced the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act, H.R. 4240, a compromise bill that would close some gun show loopholes and provide states with resources to strengthen their current background check systems. While not as comprehensive as Sen. Murphy's bill, it will provide a step forward in the fight to end gun violence. Reps Thompson and King also filed a discharge petition that, with signatures from a simple majority of House members, will force a vote on the bill.

While both bills face tough hurdles, especially from the NRA gun lobby, public support for expanded background check has risen to 90%. The time for Congress to finally take action against rampant gun violence in this country is now.

(source)
CONTACTS
Senator Tammy Baldwin
Senator Ron Johnson
Representative Mark Pocan
📞 PHONE TEMPLATE

Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from Madison. Could you please tell me what the [SENATOR / REPRESENTATIVE]’s position is on the Protect and Serve Act, or [H.R. 5698 /  S. 2794]?
 


IF CALLING SENATOR:

I'm calling to ask [SENATOR NAME] to support S. 2009, the Background Check Expansion Act for guns. Closing loopholes that allow the wrong people to buy guns is a necessary step Congress must take to strengthen our current gun policies and protect Americans from the rampant gun violence devastating our country.

[HOW IT WILL PERSONALLY AFFECT YOU OR PEOPLE YOU KNOW]


IF CALLING HOUSE REP:

I'm calling to ask [REP NAME] to support H.R. 4240, the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act, and sign the discharge petition to bring this bill to the floor for a vote. Closing loopholes that allow the wrong people to buy guns is a necessary step Congress must take to strengthen our current gun policies and protect Americans from the rampant gun violence devastating our country.

[HOW IT WILL PERSONALLY AFFECT YOU OR PEOPLE YOU KNOW]

Please thank [REPRESENTATIVE] [NAME] for committing to vote against this bill. 


Thank you for your hard work answering the phones.

[IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied]
✉️ EMAIL TEMPLATE
It's important, as with the phone call, to personalize this template. Studies have shown that congressional staff often disregard form emails.

Federal Senators and Representatives don't have email addresses; instead, you fill out a contact form on their website. Links are above in contacts, and also here:
 

Hi, my name is [FULL NAME] and I’m a constituent from [FULL ADDRESS].

IF EMAILING SENATOR:

I'm emailing to ask [SENATOR NAME] to support S. 2009, the Background Check Expansion Act for guns. Closing loopholes that allow the wrong people to buy guns is a necessary step Congress must take to strengthen our current gun policies and protect Americans from the rampant gun violence devastating our country.

[HOW IT WILL PERSONALLY AFFECT YOU OR PEOPLE YOU KNOW]

IF EMAILING HOUSE REP:

I'm writing to ask [REP NAME] to support H.R. 4240, the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act, and sign the discharge petition to bring this bill to the floor for a vote. Closing loopholes that allow the wrong people to buy guns is a necessary step Congress must take to strengthen our current gun policies and protect Americans from the rampant gun violence devastating our country.

[HOW IT WILL PERSONALLY AFFECT YOU OR PEOPLE YOU KNOW]

Thank you for your hard work answering emails.

Sincerely, 
[FULL NAME]
[FULL ADDRESS]
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