July 3, 2014

November Election

By Senator Lena C. Taylor

As the November election continues to approach there are a few key things you must remember as a voter in deciding the future direction of our state. This year’s fall 2014 General Election will take place on Tuesday, November 4, 2014. The state offices that will be elected include Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Representative in Congress, State Senator (odd-numbered districts), and Representatives to the Assembly (all districts). 

One of the most hotly contended offices under re-election is the Office of the Governor. With continued scandal and disappointment surrounding our current Governor’s, Republican Scot Walker, term in office, I urge you to elect an official we can trust and count on. In the last month alone, Walker has been in the center of a “criminal scheme” in which he illegally coordinated with conservative groups to raise money for his, and other conservatives, campaigns during the 2011-2012 recall elections. He also supported the recent legislative decision that allowed Hobby Lobby to restrict health care freedom to its employees by refusing coverage of birth control as a part of their insurance coverage. Walker’s office claimed that the ruling “reinforces the Act 10 reform”, not once touching on the blatant restriction of women’s freedom to make personal decisions regarding their lives.

It is for this reason we must choose very carefully in electing our future representatives. Our Governor should be working to lower unemployment and ensure that our citizens have access to basic necessities like healthcare, not one who fights to give tax breaks to the wealthy and to restrict voting of those who do not agree with him/her. We must fight to reinstate the values of freedom, liberty, and democracy in our state!

It has only been fifty years since our country realized our founding principal of all men being created equal, at least in terms of voting. This Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were crucial as they helped to give a voice to a group who was previously silenced. President Lyndon Johnson, when speaking of the right to vote said, “the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they differ from other men.” Although our fight has shifted considerably from that of 50 years ago, your vote is no less important, and President Johnson’s words still ring true. You have a chance to use your vote to fight the injustices we face today, and unlike those before us, the only thing stopping you from voting is you!

It is vital you keep this in mind when voting in the upcoming November election, and remember that your vote is invaluable and can help to further our goal of creating a better Wisconsin for everyone that is living in it. We must present a strong voting presence in order to put democrats back in office and keep the restrictive and corrupt Republican agenda out of our state capitol.

For information on how to register to vote please visit the Government Accountability Board’s instructional site at http://gab.wi.gov/elections-voting/voters/registration-voting

For more information on the Election and who is voting visit the Government Accountability Board’s website at http://gab.wi.gov/elections-voting/elections