Wisconsin Voices

“When we vote, we take back our power to choose, to speak up, and to stand with those who support us and each other.” 
 — Loung Ung

In 2019, the Kelly Ann Brown Foundation continued to focus on supporting efforts to increase voter turnout. The board especially wanted to support communities whose right to vote has long been suppressed and whom the current administration is actively working to keep from the polls on November 3, 2020.

Wisconsin Voices envisions “a Wisconsin where every person has the means, motivation and freedom to fully participate in a just democracy that provides opportunities for all people to thrive.” They unify progressive nonprofits in Wisconsin around achieving shared goals to build a better democracy. Wisconsin Voices amplifies their partners’ capacity and impact by nurturing leadership, promoting racial equity and fostering engagement so everyone has an equal voice.

In preparation for the 2020 election, Wisconsin Voices began working in 2019 on retooling its Voter App Registering Wisconsinites, which allows residents to register without having to leave their home. Their goal was to register 80,000 voters in 2020, of which 75% would be people of color. In 2019, Wisconsin Voices also hired Carlene Bechen as Fair Maps organizer. She travels throughout the state to present and organize with rural and urban districts on how to curb gerrymandering and ensure fair maps are drawn.

Because of Wisconsin Voices’ and their partners’ work:

• More people will be able to vote in 2020

• More people have been educated on the 2020 Census (at least 500,000)
• More Latinx people have been educated on the 2020 Census
• More partners have early resources to hire staff and be successful
• People who aren’t normally included in democracy conversations will be included

KABF is grateful for the work Wisconsin Voices is doing.
To find out more, visit their website.