It’s one-week post election day, and we’re all still smiling. The power of community organizing was on full display this spring throughout the Supreme Court of WI Voter Engagement campaign, which saw dedicated community members and organizers knock on over 600 doors, make nearly 1000 phone calls, speak to over 600 college students at UW Stout and UW River Falls, and send out almost 2000 postcards.

Together, we aimed to increase voter engagement and turnout for the nationally important race that came to its conclusion last week. Team canvassing leader, Danielle, went door-to-door on and off campus in River Falls, and saw first hand the difference she was making. “Just like the rest of Wisconsin, a fair proportion of students I spoke to were not aware that this very important Supreme Court election [was] coming up,” she reflected. Moreover, again and again, Organizer John, said members connected with neighbors who expressed surprise and appreciation for having real, positive people at their door or on the phone spreading the word in an election season.

Over a whirlwind 9 weeks, we came together, got trained, and set out to work from Menomonie to River Falls to Baldwin to New Richmond reminding our neighbors and fellow community members of the importance and the power of their vote. In early February, Karen Zacharias, Danielle Johnson, Douglas Owens-Pike, Don Leake, and Wendy DiPeso collaborated with organizer John Calabrese to form the SCOWI leadership team and lay out and tackle their goals and outreach efforts. From that small group, 57 community members stepped up to lend their time, energy, and voices to the effort. 

As we take stock after the work, we can’t help but feel inspired. Through door knocking, phone banking, and simply casting our own ballots, we all played a role in shaping the future of our communities and our country. All of us deserve a court that reflects and protects our values, and here in Wisconsin, the justices elected to the court serve for 10 years and hear roughly 60 cases each year on everything from voting maps, ballot drop boxes, the governor’s veto power, environmental protections, abortion bans, election rules, LGBTQ+ rights, gun issues, and more.