Patricia Giese, Johnson Creek
It is an incredibly difficult time to be optimistic about participating in the greatest freedom we have, going to the polls. We continue to watch politicians wrangle over the boundaries of our voting districts, one side attempting to cement the gerrymandering of 2011 in place, while the other side promotes non-partisan Fair Maps.
Leslie DeMuth, Lake Mills
We all want the freedom to vote and to know that our votes count. Yet some Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin seem intent on fighting against voters.
Sandy Whisler, Lake Mills
Our democracy is built on the freedom of everyone — regardless of zip code, color of skin or economic status — to have a say in the decisions that affect their lives. Our democracy works when our leaders value the input of everyone and, through robust discussion, pass laws that the majority favors.
Ken Eimers, Lake Mills
In a few days the Senate is expected to debate and hopefully pass the Freedom to Vote Act. This will decrease the influence of money in politics, curb partisan gerrymandering, and enable practical national standards for access to the ballot.
Lynn von Huben, Waterloo
Since 2011, we in Wisconsin have witnessed how partisan gerrymandering created a more lopsided, polarized legislature that lost its ability to work together and solve problems. This divide and conquer philosophy now is being applied across the country as 19 other states have enacted more than 33 bills that make it harder for people to vote and sometimes to allow partisan state legislatures to not certify the votes actually cast.
Kelli Rowley, Fort Atkinson
This pandemic has taught us so much about what’s important. Most people now see that community schools are vital places of learning and emotional support for children. But the lawmakers who control the state’s Joint Finance Committee are blocking an entire $77 million allocation of federal relief funds because not every school was able to provide an early plan for full in-person learning.