Ten pro-democracy groups and Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway are co-sponsoring a Vote Early Day press conference as part of National Vote Early Day with thousands of organizations across the nation this Friday, October 28.
The event will be held on the steps of the Madison Municipal Building at 215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, starting at 9:00 a.m., and is open to the public. Following the press conference, attendees will go into the Madison Clerk’s Office to vote early.
The co-sponsors are Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, the NAACP (Dane County Branch 36AB), the NAACP of Wisconsin State Conference, Souls to the Polls, Urban Triage, Vote Riders, the Wisconsin Council of Churches, the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, the Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition, and Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice.
The groups are coming together to highlight the importance of voting and encourage voters to do it early to avoid long lines and unexpected last-minute events that could prevent them from exercising their constitutional right to cast their ballot for the candidates of their choice.
“This is such a critical time in our country. It is incumbent on all of us to protect our democracy, and one of the most powerful things people can do is make a plan to vote early. Here in Madison, there are 32 early voting locations ready and waiting for you!”
~ Satya Rhodes-Conway, Mayor of Madison, WI
“The ballot is a great equalizer – one person, one ballot, one vote. Democracy only works if we all participate.”
~ Earnestine Moss, Co-Chair, Dane County Voter ID Coalition; Community Coordination, NAACP Wisconsin State Conference; Member, League of Women Voters of Dane County
“Voting should be accessible, and early voting is a great way for voters to make their voice heard when it works best for their life and schedule. The League is excited to celebrate Vote Early Day alongside our partners to help get out the vote and make sure Wisconsinites know all their options this fall.”
~ Debra Cronmiller, Executive Director, League of Women Voters of Wisconsin
“Voting is our collective power. At Souls to the Polls, we have united with faith leaders and their congregations across the state to strengthen the voting power of the Black community. Vote Early Day celebrations are another reminder to folks that our votes matter and we need to exercise that muscle in this and every election.”
~ Rev. Greg Lewis, Executive Director, Souls to the Polls
“Many Americans protested, marched, were arrested, and even died working toward voting equality. In 1963 and 1964, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. brought hundreds of Black people to the courthouse in Selma, Alabama, to register. When they were turned away, Dr. King organized and led protests that finally turned the tide of American political opinion. In 1964, the Twenty-fourth Amendment prohibited the use of poll taxes. In 1965, the Voting Rights Act directed the Attorney General to enforce the right to vote for Black Americans. Today, voter suppression efforts, including mass incarceration and propaganda, take many forms. Many entities put forth billions of dollars to elect their chosen ones; we must show up and show out for the November elections. I can’t advise you on who to vote for because of our status as a nonprofit, and I can tell you this, don’t allow the billionaires and millionaires to buy WI in 2022. It’s time for you to break from the pack and choose your community over propaganda.”
~ Brandi Grayson, Founder & CEO, Urban Triage
“Voting early at your municipal clerk’s office is a great way for voters to be sure they’ve got an acceptable ID and that their vote will count. If there’s a problem with your ID when you go to vote early, contact VoteRiders right away at 844-338-8743 and we can make sure you’ll have the ID you need to cast a ballot that counts.”
~ Nick Ramos, Wisconsin Voter ID Coalition Coordinator, VoteRiders
“We have a moral responsibility not only to vote, but also to help others exercise their right to vote. By voting early, you won’t forget to vote on election day, or be stymied by last-minute problems. And it helps make sure your neighbors can vote without the hassle of long lines or full parking lots at the polls.”
~ Peter W. Bakken, Justice & Witness Coordinator, Wisconsin Council of Churches
“Voting is a fundamental constitutional right. We are committed to helping all eligible voters cast their ballots in a way that works best for them. Voting early is a great option for people with busy lives to ensure that their vote will be counted and their voice will be heard.”
~ Carlene Bechen, Organizing Director, Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition
“As people of faith, the members of Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice believe, along with the late Representative John Lewis, that the right to vote is sacred, and that every person has the right to be heard and to be counted. In a democracy, that means having the freedom to vote. We celebrate Early Voting Day and encourage all eligible voters to come out and cast your ballot!”
~ Bonnie Margulis, Executive Director, Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice
