Souls to the Polls wants Milwaukee to get out and vote
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“In a critical election year, Milwaukee’s black and brown communities are once again on the frontlines of defending democracy. Souls to the Polls Wisconsin, a voter education organization, has been working tirelessly since 2013 to mobilize voters, particularly in faith-based and working- class neighborhoods.
This election cycle is marked by several key events that will help drive voter participation:
• On October 19, 2024 Souls to the Polls will host a “Get Out The Vote Festival” at the voting center on N. 60th St. and W. Capitol Dr. to encourage community members to take advantage of early voting, • October 22 – November 3 is early voting in Milwaukee, and • October 27, will be Souls to the Polls Sunday, “Live on Capitol Drive,” where congregations and communities across Milwaukee will get voters to the polls and ensure their voices are heard at the voting center on N. 60th St. and Capital.
A Souls to the Polls President and CEO Rev. Greg Lewis says, “If your vote didn’t have power, why would they work so hard to take it away?”
The urgency of these efforts cannot be overstated. Wisconsin’s political landscape is fraught with voter suppression tactics, including gerrymandering, voter ID laws, and the banning of ballot drop boxes (recently overturned). Despite these obstacles, Souls to the Polls remains focused on building a multiracial voting bloc, organizing phone banks, canvassing neighborhoods, and collaborating with local leaders to strengthen community engagement.
New programs like “100 Women on the Move” and the Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) Voter Project are expanding voter outreach, engaging women, youth, and black and indigenous people of color (BIPOC )communities. Through educational workshops, digital outreach, and peer-to-peer strategies, Souls to the Polls is making sure no voter is left behind.
The stakes are higher than ever, but the collective power of the Milwaukee community can help shape the future. By voting, we defend not just our rights but also our ability to influence critical policies affecting housing, healthcare, and justice.”
Rev. Walter J. Lanier Senior Pastor Progressive Baptist Church/President and CEO, GLUE Solutions
