Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand.

Prediction: the GOP will rethink its strategy of boycotting future committees.

I’d try pessimism, but it probably wouldn’t work.

I really should read my own blog.

Republican obstruction dressed up as bipartisanship. Again.

You can’t love your country only when you win.

New McCarthy, same old McCarthyism.

The republican caucus is already covering themselves with something, and it’s not glory.

Bark louder, little dog.

Wow, you are pre-disappointed. How surprising.

Happy indictment week to all who celebrate!

I’ve spoken to my cat about this, but it doesn’t seem to do any good.

A last alliance of elves and men. also pet photos.

Damn right I heard that as a threat.

Some judge needs to shut this circus down soon.

If senate republicans had any shame, they’d die of it.

Jesus, Mary, & Joseph how is that election even close?

Russian mouthpiece, go fuck yourself.

It’s always darkest before the other shoe drops.

Do not shrug your shoulders and accept the normalization of untruths.

I know this must be bad for Joe Biden, I just don’t know how.

Proof that we need a blogger ethics panel.

Let’s finish the job.

They traffic in fear. it is their only currency. if we are fearful, they are winning.

You are here: Home / Open Threads / Just 17 Days to Help Get a Liberal Judge on the Wisconsin Supreme Court

Just 17 Days to Help Get a Liberal Judge on the Wisconsin Supreme Court

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There are just 17 days left to help get a liberal judge on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.  And we need your help to do it.

I shared a ton of information about this in Saturday’s post.  In case you missed it:

On Wisconsin!

Saturday was for talking.  The next 17 days are for action.

Voces de la Frontera is supplying addresses to us so we can write postcards to help make sure a liberal judge gets on the ballot for the general election on April 4.  They are:

  • Active voters, not just on the rolls, but with a strong history of turning out to vote
  • Partisanship score of 80-100% voting for Democrats
  • African American

A bit of math in the hopes of inspiring you.

  • If 100 people can write 100 postcards each, that’s 10,000 postcards.
  • If 200 people can write 75 postcards each, 15,000 postcards.
  • If every writer can find one person to join them in writing, we double our reach.
  • If you have a postcard group or an Indivisible group other others, see if they can write.

With only 17 days before we can mail the last postcards, we are going for simple and expedient.

  • We’ll have 3 sample postcards you can copy from.
  • Maze Dancer will hand out the addresses, which are arriving today.
  • If you have the time ,but not the money for postcards and stamps, let me know by email.
  • If you are up for helping someone else out by providing stamps or postcards, let me know by email.

Four Candidates Enter, Only Two Candidates Make it On the Ballot

  • 2 liberal justices
  • 2 conservative justices
  • Each voter gets to vote for one justice.
  • We have to make sure that one liberal justice makes it on the ballot in April.
  • Then we have to make sure that that liberal justice wins on April 4.
  • If a liberal justice wins on April 4, the court will be split 4-3, with 4 liberals.

What’s on the line?

  • The right to self-determination for women in Wisconsin
  • The right to have your vote count
  • Anything issue that makes it to the state Supreme Court

What can you do to help?

Let us know in the comments.

Questions?  Ask them here.

We will have a postcard party & music thread tonight at 8 pm Eastern.

But of course postcards, can be written anytime!

 

Reader Interactions

36Comments

  1. 1.

    wonkie

    I can do postcards but how do I get addresses and what is the timeline? I have to order cards and won’t have any this evening.

  2. 2.

    WaterGirl

    @wonkie: Good question!

    Is there anywhere local where you can pick up cards

    We’ll have specific information in the postcard thread tonight – how to contact MazeDancer for the addresses, etc.

  3. 3.

    Jojo

    I might be able to wrangle up some people besides myself to write postcards, if that would be okay. They are not balloon juice readers so they don’t know about this effort -would I be able to get extra addresses for them?

  4. 4.

    WaterGirl

    @Jojo: Yes, absolutely!

    If you can vouch for people, or if folks have Indivisible groups or other groups that write cards, we would love for you guys to bring other folks in.

    Would you be willing to have them let you know when they mail their cards and when they need more cards?

  5. 5.

    WaterGirl

    With just 17 days to write, and wanting to get the cards out ASAP so we’re not wasting postcards on people who have already voted, starting earlier is better.

    We are also encouraging early voting, so the biggest push will be to get as many cards out as early as possible.

  6. 6.

    WaterGirl

    I should say that if there’s enough interest to allow us to make a difference, we also want to do Voces postcards for the primary and for the state senate seat.  But those both have to wait until the cards go out for the Primary, because job #1 is to make sure a liberal judge makes it on the ballot for April.

  7. 7.

    CaseyL

    I sent out my first batch of 25 postcards today; won’t be able to get more until tomorrow (I print them off at the office, since I don’t have a printer at home).  I hope to churn out 100, all told.

    I’m a little worried about the pre-printed cards that say “vote for Janet or Everett.”  My understanding is that advocating for both of them is likely to split the Democratic vote, allowing two GOPers to go forward.  I know they’re both great candidates, but shouldn’t we push for the one most likely to win?

  8. 8.

    WaterGirl

    @CaseyL: We are waiting to hear from Voces on whether they will endorse BOTH or JUST ONE of the two candidates.  They will text me as soon as a decision is made.

    Even if they decide to endorse both, I let Voces know that we will be writing just in support of Janet P – because she seems most electable.

    Three reasons: 1) worry about splitting the vote, and NO DEM getting on the ballot; 2) mentioning both in a postcard may confuse folks and leave them thinking they can vote for two candidates; and 3) postscards don’t have a lot of room for nuance.

    Still, I’m very interested in seeing which way Voces goes with that decision.

  9. 9.

    WaterGirl

    @CaseyL: Shorter, yeah, I would not recommend using those vote for Janet or Everett postcards.

    Thanks for writing!

    Also, the newer addresses – the ones we received from Voces today – are for ACTIVE VOTERS and strong Democratic partisanship score, so I think those will give us more bang for the buck, so to speak.

  10. 10.

    Mousebumples

    @wonkie: if you have a local post office that’s still open, you can buy pre-stamped postcards! They’re blank, with plenty of room to write.

    Otherwise, if you have access to a printer, you can print postcard designs from MazeDancer’s website. There are also upcycled options you be able to find online, too!

  11. 11.

    Mousebumples

    And we might have more reasons to write, too –

    Scott Bauer (@sbauerAP) tweeted at 4:10 PM on Tue, Jan 31, 2023:
    A lawsuit filed today by Wisconsin criminal justice advocacy groups seeks to block two Republican-sponsored measures from appearing on the April ballot, arguing that they were not submitted on time to the correct elections officials.

    Link

    One question is a constitutional amendment that would allow judges to consider more factors when setting bail for violent offenders. The other is an advisory referendum that asks if able-bodied, childless welfare recipients should be required to look for work.

  12. 12.

    WaterGirl

    @Mousebumples: Surely that’s a cut-and-dried issue – they were either submitted on time, according to the rules, or they were not.

    Let me guess, this will eventually go to the Wisconsin Supreme Court?

  13. 13.

    Leslie

    I have postcards and stamps — I forget how many postcards exactly, but around 40, I think? I just need addresses.

  15. 15.

    Mousebumples

    @Mousebumples: broken link to the article, above –

    Link

    The lawsuit was filed against the elections commission in Dane County Circuit Court by EXPO Wisconsin and WISDOM. EXPO stands for or Ex-Incarcerated People Organizing. It is an affiliate of WISDOM, a statewide faith-based organization. Both groups work with people who spent time behind bars and fight against mass incarceration. Both groups were opposed to the ballot measures.

    So it sounds like the Elections Commission is the defendant.

  19. 19.

    The Up and Up

    I tend to use a hodge podge of stamps on the postcards, something colourful and/or patriotic. The current rate is 48 cents up from 44 last year when I participated in such. You can also use the Postcard Forever Rate stamps without worry. I try to add a personal touch, mention that a high school election one year ended in a tie but a more recent important race (Insert a local place & position) was won by x votes. The Arizona Attorney General, WA District 3, for examples.

  20. 20.

    Omnes Omnibus

    I understand as well as anyone the importance of this race, but I am not at all a fan of people here taking sides in the primary.

  31. 31.

    CaseyL

    @Omnes Omnibus: It’s a jungle primary, meaning that whoever the two top vote getters are go forward to the general.

    The Democratic vote could split, and only the two GOPers get into the general.

    That’s what we want to prevent.

  32. 32.

    WaterGirl

    @Omnes Omnibus: It’s complicated to explain on a postcard that there are 2 liberal judges and we’d like you to vote for one of them, and you only get to vote for one, and if neither of them gets the most votes then we’re screwed.  And here’s why both judges would be good.  Along with the date of the election and everything else.

    That’s a lot for a postcard!  I’m sure you see the problem.  But I get why you don’t like the solution

    Can you suggest wording for a postcard that would get all that across, and would fit?

    edit: I tried, but it got pretty complicated.  Maybe you can do better?  (I will add that that’s a sincere question, in case it came out wrong.)

  33. 33.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @CaseyL: I understand the fucking rules.  It’s not like I live in the state or worked for the agency that oversees WI elections.  But thank you for explaining to me.

    @WaterGirl: If people feel they must get involved in the primary and you have a list of Dem leaning voters, then just encourage them to vote on day of the primary.

Comments are closed.