Early data show young voters were a driving force in last week's Wisconsin Supreme Court election, and civic engagement groups said they are not done with outreach efforts, suggesting younger generations are ready to be vocal about a range of issues.

The outcome of the judicial race means the balance of the state's high court will favor liberals. Matters such as abortion access were considered key factors in the election.

Cendi Tena, co-executive director of the multiracial group Leaders Igniting Transformation, said they knocked on 60,000 doors in Milwaukee, as well as La Crosse, which is home to a University of Wisconsin campus.

"We also focused on ZIP codes that have the highest amount of young voters but the lowest amount of voter turnout," Tena recounted. "Understanding that those people are often the ones that are closest to the issues that we're working on, and most organizations aren't reaching out to them."

Tena noted abortion access and fair election maps consistently came up during their canvassing. She pointed out that similar to other generations, issues such as cost of living are a big concern among young voters.

Meanwhile, the group NextGen America cited as an example of higher turnout was a polling location for University of Wisconsin-Madison freshmen, going from 44 votes cast in 2019, to more than 500 this year.

Tena emphasized while her group engages with young voters on certain issues, they are nonpartisan and do not endorse candidates. Instead, they work year-round to ensure high school and college-age students are aware of what is happening for all levels of government.

"We don't just focus on major elections like the presidential or gubernatorial, but also school board races," Tena observed. "Understanding that local elected officials also have a lot of power in what happens in our schools and neighborhoods."

Tena stressed younger generations are not tuning out broader political events happening around them, pointing to the response to the expulsion of two Black lawmakers in the Tennessee Legislature. She argued they are being inspired to act.

"These are the same people who have lived through so much trauma and many tragedies as well, so I don't think that this is something that's going to scare them away," Tena contended.

Support for this reporting was provided by The Carnegie Corporation of New York.


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An Indiana debate over history and power is growing. Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith recently defended the Three-Fifths Compromise in a social media video. The compromise counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxes.

Beckwith called it a "great move" for America at the time, and praised the group WallBuilders, describing them as the "gold standard" for teaching U.S. history.

The Indiana Citizen investigated both claims. Publisher Bill Moreau called on Hoosiers to pay attention.

"We have been working on a project since the first of the year that we called: 'One Heartbeat Away: Do Christian nationalists have an agenda for Indiana?' Lt. Gov. Beckwith is literally one heartbeat away from being governor," he said.

If Beckwith became governor, he could shape education policy. That includes choosing textbooks. The Indiana Citizen's report found WallBuilders promotes views rejected by most historians. Some Hoosiers agree with Beckwith and say his views reflect America's religious roots.

Moreau encouraged Hoosiers to stay informed and take a closer look at the history Beckwith promotes.

"Understand what Lt. Gov. Beckwith said about the Three-Fifths Compromise," he added. "How he attributes that analysis to this group called WallBuilders - which he considers to be 'the gold standard for learning the real history of America.'"


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Seattle's City Council voted last week to put the city's Democracy Voucher Program on the ballot to be renewed in August and supporters of the program are looking to take it statewide.

Launched in 2017, the program gives each resident four $25 vouchers to donate to participating candidates. Data show the program has boosted voter turnout, increased small donors fivefold, and encouraged more women and people of color to run.

Spencer Olson, spokesperson for the nonprofit People Powered Elections Seattle, said voucher programs counter nationwide voting rights rollbacks and model a more inclusive democracy.

"It's proof that we can reduce the influence of big money, can expand participation, and can give regular people a stronger voice in who represents them," Olson outlined.

People Powered Elections has been working on a bill for next session to bring democracy vouchers to Washington's state legislative races. Participating candidates must get a minimum number of signatures and small donations to qualify and must adhere to contribution and spending limits.

Critics of the program said it creates new avenues for corruption because candidates will be motivated to lie about where the contributions come from. Olson countered so far in Seattle there has been no evidence of widespread misuse or fraud, adding there are robust legal safeguards in place.

"Anyone who commits theft, forgery, trafficking or unlawful transfers of democracy vouchers face steep penalties and fines and up to time in jail," Olson pointed out.

Olson noted Seattle's success has inspired interest from other cities and counties. He added a statewide voucher program for legislative elections could create infrastructure to expand it locally, helping smaller communities hold more competitive races.

"I used to live over in Kittitas County for many years, and it was very common to have an uncontested election or not even have anyone run for local office," Olson recounted.

A bill to bring a voucher program to Washington's state elections will be introduced next year.


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Indiana activists with the 50501 movement will hold new protests this summer against the Trump administration.

The effort, which stands for "50 protests, 50 states, one movement," plans to expand beyond the Statehouse into smaller Indiana communities.

Alisa Advani, Indiana chapter member of the 50501 movement, said local organizers will lead the new events. Advani explained the movement wants to fight government overreach and protect constitutional rights.

"It's a national group," Advani pointed out. "It was designed specifically so that there would be coordinated protests in every state on the same day, and it's grown exponentially. Now, we've had protest groups pop up by the 10s, 20s, 30s across every state."

Critics said the protests exaggerate federal actions. Some argued they turn legal and policy debates into political fights. National political analysts said the 50501 movement reflects political division and growing public concern about the role of government.

Advani noted more 50501 groups are forming across the country. The Indiana chapter plans to announce summer protest dates soon.

"A lot of people in the United States are upset," Advani emphasized. "They see a loss of constitutional rights and due process. And they've decided to come out in protest to send a very clear message to Congress and the President of the United States that we will not stand by idly and let this happen."

The group said it wants to create a space for people who may have been afraid to speak out in the past. Advani added they accept new members from all political backgrounds, including those who once supported current federal policies.


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