The statewide COVID-19 website is a one stop shop that consolidates information from state agencies, and provides up-to-date information and guidance regarding COVID-19. DHS has also offered information on their website on How and Where to Get Tested.
If you're not busy, please make a call, send a card, or write a letter to someone you know who lives alone or may need assistance.
Please, let them and your family know that you are thinking of them, and that we are here for each other.
Bless each of you during this difficult time of uncertainty and suffering. Take good care!
With just months before the upcoming presidential election, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the limits on early voting that were struck down in 2016 at the district court level.
The decision limits early voting to 13 days starting 2 weeks before Election day and ending no later than the Sunday before the election. For the August 11th election, early voting will begin July 28th, and run through August 9th.
The decision also reinstated a ban on faxing or emailing ballots to voters and a 28 day residency requirement for voting instead of the previous 10 day requirement.
In the decision, Judge Easterbrook explained that the US Supreme Court has ruled, "...that legislators are entitled to consider politics when changing the rules about voting..." Read more
Early Voting at Miller Park, and Milwaukee Elections Commission's New Director
This morning, the Milwaukee Common Council approved the appointment of Claire Woodall-Vogg to take up the position of the executive director of the Milwaukee Election Commission. This comes after an uncertain back-and-forth related to her appointment after the Common Council voted unanimously to send several of Mayor Barrett's cabinet appointments back to committee. She is replacing Neil Albrecht who served in the position since 2012.
As an element of the Milwaukee SafeVote program adopted by the Common Council last month, the City of Milwaukee will have at least 15 early voting sites for the upcoming elections including Miller Park as a drive-thru voting location. The Milwaukee Bucks have expressed interest in opening Fiserv Form as a potential voting location as well. These changes, along with the other parameters of the SafeVote program will help ensure that there are adequate resources for the upcoming elections on August 11th and November 3rd.
If you would prefer to vote from home, you can request an Absentee Ballot online by visiting MyVote.wi.gov or if you are a City of Milwaukee resident, by filling out an Absentee Ballot Application and faxing it to 414-286-8445, or emailing it to absenteeballot@milwaukee.gov . Please provide you full name, voting address, specific election for which you would like a ballotorif you are requesting for the calendar year, and mailing address. All of these options require the addition of a copy of your photo ID for voting purposes.
For more information about absentee voting or if you need to register to vote, get in touch with your municipal clerk:
A proposal from Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic known as the MKE Cares Ordinance would create a requirement for face coverings to be worn in public spaces for the duration of the 'Moving Milwaukee Forward' health and safety order.
If adopted, the policy would borrow elements of policies that have been adopted in New York, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. Read more
Garden District Drive By Tour
On Sunday, July 19th, from 10am to 2pm, the Garden District Tour will be taking place. This year viewing can be done from cars to encourage safe distancing.
Maps for the tour will be available the week leading up to the tour at Plant Land, Custom Grown Greenhouses, Layton Fruit Market, and Bluemel's. Come join a local tradition and see the beautiful gardens of Milwaukee's 13th Aldermanic District. With everyone's newfound appreciation for gardening during the pandemic, the showings are bound to be particularly special!
State Fair Necessities are Available!
If you're like me and are going to miss theWisconsin State Fairthis year, check out the 2020 State Fair Necessities page to have a taste of the Fair brought to you at home!
From commemorative art and apparel and the Wisconsin Products Pavilion Box, to of course cream puffs and fair food favorites available through the Fair Food Drive-Thru, even though we're missing the Fair this year, there's still a chance to enjoy the nostalgia of previous visits and look forward to next year.
Health Insurance Info
If your health insurance has been affected by job loss or due to other factors recently, the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance has put together a webpage of information and resources that may be helpful. It is also helpful to check on the federal marketplace at Healthcare.gov to see what options are available.
President Trump Begins Formal Withdrawal from the World Health Organization
As COVID-19 cases in the United States are increasing, President Trump has formally notified Congress of his decision to remove the United States from the membership of theWorld Health Organization.
The decision has drawn criticism that under Trump's leadership, the United States is not acting as a global leader during the pandemic, and that the move could put American lives at risk by removing the country from the international network.
Trump announced in May the the U.S. would end its relationship with the organization. Today he explained that the WHO has not made reforms that his administration has sought and therefore the U.S. would be reallocating the funds that it sends to the WHO to "...other worldwide and deserving urgent public health needs." The withdrawal will be effective July 6, 2021.Read more
