The GOP platform will restore the American dream through economic growth, protecting constitutional freedoms, and ensuring election integrity.
CHAIRPERSON
The Republican Party, often called the GOP (short for “Grand Old Party”) is one of two major political parties in the United States. Founded in 1854 as a coalition opposing the extension of slavery into Western territories, the Republican Party fought to protect the rights of African Americans after the Civil War. Today’s GOP is generally socially conservative, and favors smaller government, less regulation, lower taxes and less federal intervention in the economy.
Republican Presidents (19): Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), Rutherford B. Hayes (1822-1893), James A. Garfield (1831-1881), Chester A. Arthur (1829-1886), Benjamin Harrison (1833-1901), William McKinley (1843-1901), Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919), William Howard Taft (1857-1930), Warren G. Harding (1865-1923), Calvin, Coolidge (1872-1933), Herbert Hoover (1874-1964), Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969), Richard Nixon (1913-1994), Gerald Ford (1913-2006), Ronald Reagan (1911-2004), George H. W. Bush (1924-2018), George W. Bush (bom 1946), Donald Trump (born 1946)
We’re fighting for a brighter, more equal future: rolling up our sleeves and organizing everywhere to build a better America for all.
CHAIRPERSON
The Democratic Party is one of the two major political parties in the United States, and the nation’s oldest existing political party. After the Civil War, the party dominated in the South due to its opposition to civil and political rights for African Americans. After a major shift in the 20th century, today’s Democrats are known for their association with a strong federal government and support for minority, women’s and labor rights, environmental protection and progressive reforms.
Democratic Presidents (16): Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), Martin Van Buren (1782-1862), James K. Polk (1795-1849), Franklin Pierce (1804-1869), James Buchanan (1791-1868), Andrew Johnson (1808-1875), Grover Cleveland (1837-1908), Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924), Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945), Harry S. Truman (1884-1972), John F. Kennedy (1917-1963), Lyndon B. Johnson (1908-1973), Jimmy Carter (born 1924), Bill Clinton (born 1946), Barack Obama (born 1961), Joe Biden (born 1942)
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Proposed and Revised Election Rules (1846 - 1848)
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In 1846, as Wisconsin prepared for statehood, voting rules expanded to include white male citizens above 21 who had lived in the territory for six months.
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The draft constitution of 1846 proposed allowing African Americans to vote, but this was rejected by voters.
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Revised state constitution in 1848 limited voting to white male citizens aged 21 or older, with residency requirements.
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1960 - 1999
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Democrats gained momentum in the 1960s, winning key elections and solidifying their presence in the state.
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Wisconsin experienced fluctuations, leaning towards Republicans in some presidential elections but voting Democrat in others.
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The 1980s saw Democrats dominate presidential elections in Wisconsin, beginning a streak lasting until 2012.
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Early and Absentee Voting
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Early voting and absentee voting are accessible options for Wisconsin voters, allowing participation before Election Day.
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The state permits no-excuse absentee voting, enabling voters to request mail-in ballots without providing a reason.
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Gerrymandering and Redistricting
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Districts for congressional and state legislative seats are drawn by the state legislature, subject to gubernatorial approval or judicial intervention.
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Gerrymandering has been a contentious issue, impacting political representation and electoral outcomes in Wisconsin.
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Partisan Polarization
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Partisan divisions and power struggles have shaped Wisconsin's electoral landscape, leading to contentious policy debates and legal battles.
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Gerrymandering and political maneuvering have exacerbated tensions, impacting democratic governance and representation.
EARLY VOTING HISTORY
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The First Elections (1820s - 1830s)
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Voting in Wisconsin began in the 1820s, with the first known vote recorded in Green Bay in 1825.
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Initially, voting rights were limited to white male citizens above the age of 21 and inhabitants of the territory.
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The legislative assembly of 1838 regulated general elections, requiring voters to be free white male citizens or naturalized foreigners with six months' residence in the territory.
Suffrage Expansion (1866 - 1919)
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African Americans gained the right to vote in Wisconsin in 1866, following Ezekiel Gillespie's legal challenge.
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Women's suffrage was achieved with the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1919.
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Wisconsin played a pivotal role in expanding suffrage rights, often leading its peers in the Midwest and nationally.
POLITICAL SHIFTS AND TRENDS
Pre - 1960s
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Wisconsin was predominantly Republican throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
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Exceptions included Democratic victories in select presidential elections, notably for Franklin D. Roosevelt.
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The 1960s marked a significant shift towards Democrats in Wisconsin politics.
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21st Century
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Wisconsin became a swing state in presidential elections, with narrow margins determining outcomes.
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Republicans made significant gains in the early 2000s, controlling key offices and the state legislature.
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The state's political status remained closely contested, evident in recent elections and partisan battles.
VOTING SYSTEM PRACTICES
Voter Registration and ID Laws
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Wisconsin residents can register to vote online, by mail, or in person, with same-day registration available.
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Voter ID laws require presentation of acceptable forms of identification, including driver's licenses and passports.
Electioneering and Voting Rights
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Electioneering is prohibited within 100 feet of polling locations, ensuring a fair voting environment.
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Convicted felons regain voting rights upon completing their sentences, promoting reintegration into civic life.
CHALLENGES AND CONTROVERSIES
Voter Access and Equity
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Wisconsin has faced challenges in maintaining voter access, including restrictive voter ID laws and changes to voting procedures.
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Controversies over ballot boxes, voter registration, and electioneering
have highlighted the need for equitable voting practices.
Wisconsin's voting history is a reflection of its evolving political landscape and the ongoing struggle for equal rights and representation. Since the 1820s, the state has seen significant changes in voting laws, demographics, and political affiliations. Understanding Wisconsin's voting history and systems is essential for comprehending its political dynamics and the challenges it faces in ensuring fair and accessible elections.
Wisconsin's voting history and systems reflect its journey towards inclusive democracy and the ongoing quest for fair and accessible elections. From early suffrage movements to modern-day challenges, the state has navigated political shifts, legal reforms, and social movements to uphold the principles of representative governance. Understanding Wisconsin's electoral dynamics is crucial for addressing current issues, promoting voter participation, and safeguarding democratic principles for future generations.
VOTING TERMS TO KNOW
Bipartisanship – When two opposing political parties agree or compromise on an issue in order to pass legislation.
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Caucus – A conference where political party members select
candidates to represent the interests of the party.
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Conservative – A citizen who identifies with the Republican Party
and its philosophies/policies.
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Constituency – A specific area in which an elected member of
office represents.
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Constituent – An individual who emanates from the same
geographic area as the elected official who represents them.
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Delegate – An individual who has been elected to represent
a group of people in a political setting.
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Gerrymandering – A process that manipulates electoral district
boundaries to favor one party or candidate over another.
Incumbent – The incumbent is the current holder of an office
or position who is running for re-election in that position.
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Independent – A citizen or politician who does not affiliate
with any political party.
Liberal – A citizen who leans toward the Democratic Party
and the part of the party platform that suggests the
government should support social and political change.
Libertarian – A supporter of minimal state intervention in the lives of citizens and advocates for more free choice for citizens.
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Moderate – An individual who prescribes to the philosophies and policies that would be considered “in the middle” on political issues. They do not prescribe to extreme left or right policies.
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Non-Partisan – Non-partisan refers to issues, proposals or elections that do not identify with any political party. For example, proposals to continue funding for public libraries or zoos are non-partisan. The city clerk’s office is also non-partisan as they are responsible for administering elections.
Partisan – A citizen who strongly agrees with and supports a particular political party.
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Partisanship – A bias or favor toward a particular political party.
Plurality – In an election, the candidate with the highest percentage of votes from the electorate wins the election.
Progressive – A person who identifies with a particular political philosophy that has been termed progressive. Progressives think that the resources of the government should be used to solve the problems of the people.
Radical – An individual who takes a position outside of the status quo or generally accepted notions.
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Super PAC – A Political Action Committee that makes no contributions to candidates or parties but makes independent expenditures in federal races – running ads or sending mail or communicating in other ways with messages that specifically advocate the election or defeat of a specific candidate.
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