BE A VOTER & GET OUT THE VOTE
Here’s what you need to know to make sure every vote counts for kids in upcoming elections.
2025 ELECTIONS:
Join us on Wed. March 19 for a Conversation with the Candidates for Superintendent of Public Instruction. This is only forum both candidates are confirmed to attend before the April 1st election, and we look forward to a fair and friendly conversation with Ms. Brittany Kinser and Dr. Jill Underly on the issues that matter most to Wisconsin students & their public schools.
Register here for this virtual event.
Press release here.
- February 18, 2025: Spring Primary – including five districts with school referendum questions, and narrowing the field from three to two candidates for State Superintendent of Public Instruction
- April 1, 2025: Spring General Election.
- Includes local school board races, school district referendum questions (in 81 districts), county and municipal referenda questions, Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Wisconsin Supreme Court, and other statewide ballot measures.
Essential Voter Resources:
- Visit MyVote.WI.gov to see what’s on YOUR ballot, register to vote, see absentee ballot information and more!
- Wisconsin Elections Commission: get dates, candidate forms and information, and legal updates on the official WEC website.
- How to register to vote online/request absentee ballots
Did you know you need an acceptable form of photo ID in order to vote? Click here to learn more about what are acceptable forms of ID and for help getting an acceptable ID to vote.
Nonpartisan Election Advocacy Resources:
- League of Women Voters
- Sample state-level candidate survey questions & tips
- Vote Public Local Action Toolkit
- Non-partisan Ballot Measure Advocacy: Tips for 501(c)(3) groups and others doing non-partisan issue advocacy to support public schools.
- Messaging Toolkit: Our resource for pro-public messaging that works.
SCHOOL REFERENDA SUPPORT
- 2025 Vote Public Election Support Information and Request Forms Follow this link to our frequently updated document details on resources available to local nonpartisan advocacy teams.
- 2025 Election Organizing Workshops (All sessions are virtual from 6:30-8:00 pm)
- NUTS, BOLTS, & FUNDRAISING. HOW RUN A REFERENDUM TEAM. (Jan. 7 session) Watch the video here!
- Jan 14: MESSAGING STRATEGIES FOR REFERENDUM TEAMS Register: https://secure.everyaction.com/1Qgk_dM8oEiq24bQgNA8zA2
- Jan. 21: GET OUT THE VOTE! HOW TO MOTIVATE AND MOBILIZE PRO-PUBLIC EDUCATION VOTERS Register: https://secure.everyaction.com/lu7-wuIyYkuedgyGhsvq1g2
- REFERENDA resources for local advocacy teams:
- REFERENDA TOOLKIT
- Vote Yes! Referenda Tips from a Winning Campaign (SocialSchool4edu)
- Successful Referenda Start with Communication (WASB)
- K-12 On The Ballot: Using Referenda to Fund Public Schools (Forward Analytics)
- Non-partisan Ballot Measure Advocacy: Tips for 501(c)(3) groups and others doing non-partisan issue advocacy to support public schools.
- Messaging Toolkit: Our resource for pro-public messaging that works.
- Accountability in Action: Learn more about Wisconsin’s unfair school funding
SCHOOL BOARD
Public school champions: Thinking of running for school board in the spring? Getting out the vote in your community? Click here for resources from our 2025 School Board Candidate Connections workshop. Check out our School Board Champion Toolkit and sign up for our informal School Board Support Network for 1:1 conversation with current and former board members, small group check-ins, and general mentorship from those who’ve been there.
Want to get to know your local candidates and educate voters about the individuals running for school board in your district? Check out our nonpartisan Election Organizing Toolkit for some candidate forum tips and this helpful resource from the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) on putting on a candidate forum as a school district.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Run for School Board resources from Run for Something Civics
- Wisconsin Association of Schools Boards resources
- “DIVERSITY LESSONS: Recruiting for locally elected offices” by Jennifer Erickson, Melissa Kono, Victoria Solomon for Wisconsin School News, a publication of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (article starts on page 10 of this pdf. View online version here).
- WASB School Board Election Resources (includes links to key information from the WI Elections Commission)
- Nonpartisan Election Organizing Basics & Guidelines for Candidate Forums
- Messaging Guidance:
- Wisconsin Public Education Network One-Page Messaging Toolkit
- Race Class Narrative Messaging Checklist
- Race Class Narrative Messaging Guidance for Safe & Equitable Schools
- Honesty in Education: Messaging Guidance from ASO Communications and We Make The Future
- Wisconsin Public Education Network Accountability in Action Page
- Wisconsin Public Education Network Equity in Action Page
- Wisconsin State Statutes on Election of School Board Members
- Department of Public Instruction resources on School Board Operations
- School Funding Basics with Dr. Julie Underwood: