Tuesday April 1 will be Election Day in many Dane County precincts. Take time and vote tomorrow.
Go to the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board website designed to help voters at https://myvote.wi.gov/, and see what’s on your ballot.
I am sending out this message because I was appalled by a headline in Saturday’s Wisconsin State Journal that proclaimed that only 12% of Wisconsin voters are predicted to cast a ballot this Tuesday.
Let’s prove them wrong.
Judaism and voting: What’s the connection?
As Jews and Americans, we are a people dedicated to social justice and the betterment of our society. Accordingly, it is our religious obligation to ensure that we support elected officials and ballot referenda that reflect this commitment. Whether on a local, state, or national level, our leaders develop policies that affect human liberties, our environment, and even the state of Israel, and we can move public policy issues when we participate in the most basic of activities, going to the voting booth and making our voices heard.
In the Talmud (B'rachot 55a) we learn that “a ruler is not to be appointed unless the community is first consulted.” Election Day is our opportunity to offer our advice and consent on those who lead us, and on issues that may directly affect our lives.
What’s on the ballot?
Each jurisdiction and precinct has different candidates and referenda. On my ballot will be school board candidates, judges, county supervisors, and two non-binding voter referenda. It might, at first, appear to be a minor set of concerns, but we have to know that our local officials can be those who directly connect to us and affect the quality of life where we live.
So Go!
So please go to your polling place, before going to school or work, or on the way home, and make your voice heard. Remember, go to the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board website designed to help voters at https://myvote.wi.gov/, and see what’s on your ballot! Vote on April 1! No Fooling!
