Mandela Barnes joins Democratic officials in early voting kickoff

Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, Rep. Christine Sinicki (D- Milwaukee), Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler and a small group of supporters gathered across the street from the Washington Park Library in Milwaukee on Tuesday afternoon to call on Milwaukeeans to take advantage of early voting hours, which started Tuesday. From March 21 until April 1, Milwaukee residents can cast their ballots ahead of the April 4  election.

Voters will cast ballots in the most expensive state Supreme Court race in U.S. history. Wikler pointed out that Supreme Court justices serve 10-year terms, enough time to make a lasting impact  on state law and policy. Statewide ballots will also contain Republican-drafted questions that seek to amend the constitution to allow judges to expand pretrial detention and use high cash bail to keep people who have not been convicted behind bars, as well as an advisory referendum on welfare programs. For over a year, creating more stringent bail laws by amending the state constitution has been a priority for Republican legislators.

Sinicki said during the gathering that this is one of the most important elections “of our lifetime.” She added that she’s seen rights chipped away gradually over her 12 years in office. She cited recent examples including abortion becoming illegal in Wisconsin.

“This is our chance,” said Sinicki. ‘We have new maps, and we can put Wisconsin on the right track.” Barnes stressed that the April election, like every election, is profoundly important. “The stakes could not be higher,” he said.

Earlier this year, Urban Milwaukee reported that a Republican party official  and Wisconsin Election Commission member sent out a message to Republicans in his district celebrating the fact that fewer Black and Hispanic voters turned out in Milwaukee in November than in other recent elections, and crediting Republican attack ads and other measures aimed at discouraging minority voters. The lower turnout accounted for incumbent GOP Sen. Ron Johnson’s win over Barnes, who lost by one percentage point.

Barnes urged voters in Milwaukee, especially in minority neighborhoods, to consider what their communities need. “If you’re frustrated with lack of resources, if you feel like people aren’t looking out for you, if you feel state government isn’t responding to your needs, it’s because we have a wildly gerrymandered Legislature, and a majority of people in the Assembly and in the Senate who could not care less about what’s going on here,” Barnes told Wisconsin Examiner. “Especially in this community, and other communities like it all across the country. We have a chance to change all of that.”

To find your polling place and details about early voting in your area go to MyVote.wi.gov