League of Women Voters of Wisconsin
LWV of Wisconsin Election Observation - August 2024
Monitor the voter experience & prevent disenfranchisement during the 8/13 Primary
Posted July 25, 2024
Background & Context
Wisconsin is one of the few states where elections are administered at the municipal level—not the county level. With over 1,800 cities, towns and villages in the state, discrepancies in election administration are bound to occur. To understand how elections were run in different parts of the state, The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin launched a pilot initiative in 2010 with 15 volunteer observers in 18 polling sites.
Since 2010, the LWVWI Election Observation Program has grown significantly thanks to funding from the LWVUS Public Advocacy for Voter Protection program, The Brico Fund and others, an excellent coalition of partners within Wisconsin, as well as dedicated, experienced volunteers and staff. We especially appreciate our volunteer observers, who have provided exceptionally reliable, courteous and invaluable service. Many have continued to assist our program as observers through several elections. Others have gone on to further serve the public by becoming election officials in their communities.
In the years since we launched the pilot program, we have seen major changes in Wisconsin election law including:
- Passage of the voter photo ID law.
- Reduction in the time allowed for early in-person absentee (early) voting.
- Restrictions on voter registration, including Election Day Registration, particularly in the increased documentation required.
- Other new procedures in polling place administration, including a requirement to sign the poll book and changes in the rules for election observers.
The League’s election observers have documented the implementation of these changes by local elections officials across the state. This program’s reports have provided supporting evidence in the League’s advocacy with state and local officials for open, fair and efficiently administered elections.
We are looking to target the following locations:
- Milwaukee
- Madison
- Green Bay
- Kenosha
- Racine
Work & Deliverables
Help the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin monitor Wisconsin's elections. We are seeking volunteers to be trained as Election Observers and placed in polling places in specific areas around the state. We provide training, assign volunteers their polling place(s) to observe, and provide volunteers with a reporting form to record their observations.
Preparation Phase
- Complete observer training
- Review materials in volunteer resource folder
- Sign up for/review polling place assignments
- Make travel plans (if needed)
Collaboration Phase
- Show up at assigned locations on Election Day
- Communicate with program leads
- Be prepared to go to other locations, as needed
Wrap Up
- Submit an observer report for each location visited
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League of Women Voters of Wisconsin
Since 1920, The League of Women Voters has fought to improve our government. We are a peoples' organization that works to engage all Americans in the decisions that impact their lives. We operate at national, state and local levels through more than 800 state and local Leagues, in all 50 states as well in DC and the Virgin Islands. We never endorse or oppose political parties or candidates, but we are political. We were formed from the movement that secured the right to vote for women. Therefore, the centerpiece of the League’s efforts remains to expand participation and give a voice to all Americans. We do this at all three levels of government. We engage in both broad educational efforts as well as advocacy. Our issues are grounded in our respected history of making democracy work for all Americans. The League is the original grassroots citizen network. We are directed by the consensus of its members and mobilized whenever necessary. Over time, the League's legislative priorities have changed to reflect the needs of society and critical issues of concern. Yet the organization remains true to its basic purpose: to make democracy work for all citizens. Our mission is to Empower Voters and Defend Democracy.
League of Women Voters of Wisconsin
Since 1920, The League of Women Voters has fought to improve our government. We are a peoples' organization that works to engage all Americans in the decisions that impact their lives. We operate at national, state and local levels through more than 800 state and local Leagues, in all 50 states as well in DC and the Virgin Islands. We never endorse or oppose political parties or candidates, but we are political. We were formed from the movement that secured the right to vote for women. Therefore, the centerpiece of the League’s efforts remains to expand participation and give a voice to all Americans. We do this at all three levels of government. We engage in both broad educational efforts as well as advocacy. Our issues are grounded in our respected history of making democracy work for all Americans. The League is the original grassroots citizen network. We are directed by the consensus of its members and mobilized whenever necessary. Over time, the League's legislative priorities have changed to reflect the needs of society and critical issues of concern. Yet the organization remains true to its basic purpose: to make democracy work for all citizens. Our mission is to Empower Voters and Defend Democracy.