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.

By engaging with our communities, we can help to ensure that all our voices are heard and that our communities can look forward to a brighter future. For Danielle, she noticed that canvassing also made a difference for her personally. “I had a great time canvassing[…] I’ve noticed that after I canvass I am more at peace with the world. I think working with like-minded people and putting effort into what I’m passionate about just helps my soul. Beats doom scrolling, anyway!” Karen, the team leader who first got involved because Bill Hogseth knocked on her door last summer, agreed. “The positive energy and comradery of the GROWW [members and organizers] is contagious,” she said. 

The SCOWI campaign proved to be a powerful testament to the strength of community engagement and the power of collective action. Even up to the wire, on election day, John reflected, “It was amazing that even up to and on the very last day, 

people thanked us for doing this work and reminding them of the election, it tells you something about checking in on our neighbors and about authentic positivity.” 

By working together, we were able to make a meaningful impact on voter turnout and demonstrate the importance of the election to their neighbors and fellow community members, and that will always be something to celebrate.

Forward.