Ordinary people with extraordinary vision can redeem the soul of America by getting in what I call good trouble, necessary trouble. Voting and participating in the democratic process are key. The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society. You must use it because it is not guaranteed. You can lose it. ~ Rep. John Lewis
2020 Election Resources for the Creative Sector: a nonpartisan campaign to raise awareness and support for arts, culture, + creativity among voters and candidates
Remember, your vote counts! Get in touch with Arts Wisconsin with questions, comments, and ideas.
2020 Event, Election, Legislative and Other Important Dates (and into 2021):
- August 14-17, 2020 – 2020 Democratic National Convention – virtual
- August 24-27, 2020 – 2020 Republican National Convention – virtual
- Tuesday, November 3, 2020 – national general and Presidential elections
Important races to watch in 2020:
- US President and Vice President
- US House of Representatives (all 8 districts in Wisconsin)
- Wisconsin State Senate (even-numbered districts – 16 seats)
- Wisconsin State Legislature (all 99 districts)
Take action!
- In preparation for the November 2020 general election, Arts Wisconsin will distribute a survey to State Senate and State Assembly candidates to gauge their involvement in creative activities and support for investment in the arts and creativity for economic, educational and civic success. Watch for:
- Legislative Candidate Survey responses
- Template message to send to your candidates to ask them to respond to the survey
- Names and addresses of all candidates.
- Op-ed for a newspaper or write a blog post about the power and impact of the arts and creativity in your community and statewide.
State information:
- Wisconsin Elections Commission: www.elections.wi.gov
- MyVote Wisconsin: www.myvote.wi.gov – are you registered to vote and do you know where you vote? Here’s where you can check those items and more – find your polling place, see what’s on your ballot, request an absentee ballot (military and permanent overseas voters only), and check provisional ballot status. Voting pre-requisites:
- U.S. Citizen
- At least 18 years of age by Election Day, November 3, 2020
- Proof that your primary residence is in Wisconsin for at least 10 consecutive days prior to registering to vote
- Wisconsin driver’s license or other government photo ID
- Not currently serving or on probation of a felony conviction
- Wisconsin Vote – a service of Wisconsin Public Radio and Wisconsin Public Television: www.wisconsinvote.org/
- WisPolitics: www.wispolitics.com
- How to obtain a Wisconsin Voter ID: www.wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/license-drvs/how-to-apply/id-card.aspx
- Click here for info re Wisconsin military and overseas voters
- Who are your legislators? www.maps.legis.wisconsin.gov
- League of Women Voters of Wisconsin: www.lwvwi.org
- Pledge to Vote – steps to vote by November 3
National information and resources:
- Americans for the Arts’ ArtsVote 2020:
Resources:
- Five ThirtyEight – blog by Nate Silver: www.fivethirtyeight.com/
- Real Clear Politics: www.realclearpolitics.com/
- TurboVote: www.turbovote.org
- League of Women Voters candidate information: www.VOTE411.org
- A detailed, interactive map of the 2016 elections (New York Times 7-25-18)
Nonprofits and advocacy resources:
- If you are involved with a 501c3 non-profit organization, here are election do’s and don’ts for non-profits, from Independent Sector.
- Alliance for Justice’s Bolder Advocacy Initiative
- The Rules of the Game: A Guide to Election-Related Activities for 501c3 Organizations
updated 8-18-2020
