As our farmers harvest the crops from the field and we all begin our preparations for the change of season here in Calumet County WI, the deadline approaches for the nominations from local political parties to submit names to municipal clerks for poll workers for the upcoming 2026/2027 election cycles.
Election integrity is vitally important to ensuring the people of our county are heard in the upcoming elections. Elections matter and if you haven't realized this by now, you may be living under a rock.
Let's just discuss a few issues in WI right now that resulted from lost elections:
WI Governor Evers: Did you know the Governor in Wisconsin appoints individuals to the state Public Service Commission (PSC). This board is responsible for overseeing utility rates, utility operations and construction projects in the State of WI. Our current PSC, appointed by Gov. Evers, allows utility companies to not only set their own rates, but also to set their own profit margins. Earlier in 2025 the ROFR bill was presented in Madison. This bill would have given WI utility companies the right of first refusal for all bids to upgrade our transmission lines across the state. What does that mean? It means WI utility companies would have had a monopoly (no out of state competition for bids) on all construction projects and setting the rates including providing themselves a 10% profit.
WI Attorney General Josh Kaul: Josh Kaul is appealing a recent circuit court ruling that ordered WEC (Wisconsin Elections Commission) to create new, unauthorized checks on voter citizenship. This would mean individuals who are not citizens of the US who live in WI would not be able to vote. Our Attorney General is fighting to ensure non-citizens can vote in our elections. It gets worse.
WI DPI Superintendent Jill Underly: Wisconsin Watch reported in their October 16th, 2025 article that DPI was aware of over 200 teachers AND failed to notify the public about educator sexual misconduct or grooming behaviors toward students. Some examples of misconduct include: sexual assault, solicitation of nude photos of children, initiating sexual relationships as soon as the student graduated, flirting with students, spending non-school time alone and isolated with students or invading students personal space by rubbing their shoulders, thighs and lower backs. DPI failed to conduct thorough investigations. According to Wisconsin Watch, Licensing officials also allow educators under investigation to forfeit their credentials in exchange for avoiding in-depth probes. Wisconsin Watch cited a federal report by Policy and Program Studies Service which states: "1 in 10 students experience sexual misconduct from educators during their K-12 schooling." Applied in WI, Wisconsin watch estimates "that rate would amount to 93,000 children."
These 3 individuals' actions or inactions should give you something to think about. 1. Elections Matter 2. Election Integrity Matters 3. Every Vote Matters
What is you could do something about it? The answer is you can. Become a poll worker, run for school board or other local office. Support conservative candidates by volunteering to knock doors, write postcards, make phone calls and put up signs. Winning takes effort. We must muster all the strength and skill we have to win the upcoming elections. It starts with the Spring Primary Elections in February of 2026.
If you are interested in becoming a poll worker, please email [email protected] no later than November 1st, 2025 to be added to our nomination list for local municipalities.
The municipal clerk will reach out to you to schedule your training, so you are confident in working the polls and undertaking one of the most important roles we have as citizens, ensuring our elections are secure. This is the time to get involved.
We hope you will join us in our efforts to secure WI elections!
Respectfully,
Barbara Bittner Republican Party of Calumet County Chair
