03-23-15 Early Voting Begins

Early Voting Begins
March 23, 2015
Two Important Statewide Votes
This year's spring general elections take place on Tuesday, April 7. The "early" voting period starts today.
During this two week period you can visit the municipal clerk in your community to vote absentee. Here
is some information about the contests on the ballot and how you can make sure to vote.
Wisconsin Supreme Court
The April 7th election will impact how Wisconsin citizens are treated by our justice system. This year
there is both an election for Supreme Court Justice and a constitutional amendment on the ballot.
Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley is up for re-election. Justice Bradley has a strong record of
being tough, fair, and independent. While the Supreme Court has continued to grow more conservative
with justices clearly beholden to the right wing special interests, Justice Bradley continues to be a voice
committed to the Supreme Court being a fair, neutral, and non-partisan court where all Wisconsinites
have the opportunity for an equal chance at justice.
Bradley's opponent is a strong contrast to her record of fairness. The conservative running against
Justice Bradley has already signaled he will be more partisan, if elected, by aligning himself with
Governor Walker, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, Club for Growth and the other groups who
support him financially.
WEAC and its Regions have endorsed Justice Ann Walsh Bradley for re-election and encourages you to
vote for Ann Walsh Bradley for re-election.
Constitutional Amendment
Also on the ballot is a vote on a constitutional amendment brought to the voters by the extremely
conservative Wisconsin state legislature. Currently the role of Chief Justice is given to the senior
member of the Supreme Court. As a way to have even more control of the courts, the legislature wants
to change the constitution so the members of the court elect the Chief Justice to serve a two-year term.
The current Chief Justice is Shirley Abrahamson who, like Justice Bradley, has a record of fairness and
non-partisanship. If this amendment passes, then big money donors will continue to chip away at
regulations that protect workers and all people of Wisconsin. Their goal is to end protections for
workers and put the control in the hands of big business.
WEAC and its Regions have endorsed "Vote No" on the constitutional amendment.
Three Ways to Vote
1. Election Day - Vote Tuesday, April 7 at your normal polling location. You can find your polling
location, check your registration status and view a sample ballot by visiting https://myvote.wi.gov/.
2. Early Vote - You can vote absentee at your municipal clerk's office this week and next week, Monday
through Friday. You should check with your clerk's office as to whether they will be open for voting
on Friday, April 3, which is Good Friday. Your municipal clerk's office is generally located at your
local town or village hall. Your clerk's contact information is available at https://myvote.wi.gov/
(enter Regular Voter).
3. Absentee Vote by Mail - If you wish to request an absentee ballot you can obtain an application by
visiting http://gab.wi.gov/elections-voting/voters/absentee. Complete the form and mail it to your
municipal Clerk's Office. Once you receive it, the completed ballot must be received by the
municipal Clerk no later than the day of the election so that it can be delivered to the polling
location by 8:00 p.m. If you are not registered to vote with your current municipality, you must first
register with your municipal Clerk.