WISCONSIN PUBLIC EDUCATION NETWORK

---

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:

Dr Jill Underly and Ms. Brittany Kinser discuss the issues that matter most to Wisconsin students and their public schools in their only joint candidate forum before the April 1st election. This forum was moderated by Dr. Kevin Lawrence Henry, Jr., Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, University of Wisconsin-Madison. The forum was cohosted by Wisconsin Public Education Network, the NAACP Wisconsin State Council of Branches, the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Early Childhood Action Needed (WECAN). 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

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.