Hello First Church:
If you have questions about voting, see the below recap from Congregations United to Serve Humanity. I just checked the link below (www.myvote.wi.gov) and was able to confirm that my personal absentee ballot dropped off last week at the Kenosha municipal building curbside (white drop box) had already been received and scanned. That increases my confidence in the entire process. I am encouraging you to vote in the method that feels most comfortable to you...and don't delay. Make a personal voting plan now.
Donna Namath
A Message from CUSH, Congregations United To Serve Humanity. Your Vote is your voice
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Dear WISDOM Members and Friends,
After a little extra drama, the election has begun. People who requested Absentee Ballots should start receiving them in the mail very soon. In about a month, people will be able to vote early. And, in about 7 weeks, it will be over - we hope!
As WISDOM, our greatest concern is that every eligible person in isconsin exercises their right to vote.
Here are some recommendations for you, and for you to share with your family and friends:
1. If you are going to request an Absentee Ballot, do it soon. Don't wait until the last minute. An Absentee Ballot can mean you won't have to stand in line or be exposed to the virus. You can request an Absentee Ballot online at www.myvote.wi.gov. You can also go there to double check to be sure you are registered. And eventually, you will be able to see on there if your Absentee Ballot has been received.
2. Once you get your ballot, fill it out! Be sure to complete all the necessary information on the envelope, including a witness signature and their address. Again, don't test the mail service by waiting to mail it. Most of our communities also have secure drop boxes where you can drop off your ballot. Again, you can check on www.myvote.wi.gov to be sure it has been received.
3. Early voting will be safer than standing in big crowds on November 3. If you choose to vote in person, there will be early voting polling places open from October 20 through November 1.
4. Once you are sure you have a plan for your own vote, reach out to friends, neighbors, co-workers, and relatives to be sure they have a plan. There are a lot of people and groups who will be working hard to discourage and confuse people about voting this year. People like us have to be sure that folks understand how important their vote is. As our Voter Engagement Director, Yolanda Perkins, likes to say, "If your vote didn't matter, they wouldn't try so hard to take it away from you."
5. Pray. Starting on September 24, people from WISDOM and from all around our national Gamaliel network will be praying for our nation and for ourselves at this critical moment. We will share an Interfaith Prayer asking for strength to continue to strive for the Beloved Community, and to stand up to racism, hate and fear. Watch for an invitation to a kick-off event on the 24th. Then, for 40 days, you can receive the prayer, along with a reflection written by a faith leader from our network.
Our nation is at a crossroads. It won't be the last big decision point, but the consequences of what we do in the next 7 weeks will be very important, and they will be felt for a very long time.
Thank you.
David Liners