Equity in vaccine distribution has been a problem across the country, no less so here in Wisconsin.  Recognizing this problem, the Racine Interfaith Coalition (RIC) decided to be pro-active in problem-solving.  RIC Co-president Tamerin Hayward shared with us the steps they took.  We hope this will inspire others around the state to take similar actions in their localities.

1) Racine Interfaith Coalition observed from documents and first-hand testimony that the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccinations was not equitable toward our inner-city minority neighborhoods. This applied to both African American and Latinx communities. Racine is about 45% people of color.
 
2) We wrote a letter to the County Health Department expressing our concerns with the evidence we had seen of this inequity. They responded but in a manner that was less than concerned and seemingly not believing there was a good answer to our issues, but almost inviting us to suggest something better.
 
3) We decided to do just that and asked if they would meet with and accept suggestions from an advisory committee comprised of impacted persons. Even before we received an answer, we started to connect with other groups in Racine that could suggest persons for the committee such as the African American Round Table, NAACP, LULAC etc. One of our members remained on the committee, but otherwise it was made up entirely of people of color. Some were fairly well known in their communities and would therefore be trusted by their communities. We had equal numbers of African Americans and Latinx members.
 
4) We were therefore prepared when we got a tentative acceptance from the County and could move right into setting a date for the first joint meeting. 
 
5) We did encourage our Advisory Committee to meet alone first to set their agenda and discuss their responses and plan who would lead the group and who would take notes.
 
6) They have now met several times and while not perfect, there have been improvements such as a community vaccination site opening on a bus line and the bus company announcing that anyone who says they are going to get a vaccination will ride free in both directions. They continue to meet.
 
Tamerin Hayward, co-president
Racine Interfaith Coalition
 

No matter our race, background, or zip code, most of us want Wisconsin to be a place where freedom is for everyone, we can make our voices heard, and we can easily and fairly participate in elections.

Together, we can ensure every eligible Wisconsinite has the freedom to vote and that the results of our elections reflect the will of the people of Wisconsin.

That’s why we’re coming together, from Up North to Milwaukee’s northside, to thank Governor Evers for including important measures in his budget like extending early voting hours, implementing automatic voter registration, and making voting accessible to all in Wisconsin. Send an email to the Governor to show your support for fair and accessible voting policies in the state budget. 

Sample Thank You Email (please personalize with your own thoughts about why access to voting for all is important to you)
:
Dear Governor Evers,
Thank you so much for including automatic voter registration and other important pro-voter policies in your budget. We know how important voter access is to Wisconsinites across the state. We appreciate your commitment to voter access and making sure every Wisconsinite has the freedom to vote.
​
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Email]
[Your Address]

As people of faith, we have always held the right to vote as a sacred obligation. The Wisconsin Interfaith Voter Engagement Campaign mobilized our faith communities in 2020 to help make sure every eligible voter was able to cast their vote. This work paid off as we saw the greatest voter turnout nationwide in US history.
 
This turnout was a great victory for democracy.  Sadly, that victory is now at risk, as anti-democratic forces in our state houses are doing all they can to restrict people’s ability to vote.  Over 250 anti-voter bills have been introduced in 43 states in the last two months. Thirteen such bills are currently being proposed in our state legislature which will create steep barriers to exercising the right to vote.
 
Some of the more egregious elements in these bills include forbidding the Wisconsin Election Commission from sending out absentee ballot applications to every voter, as they did for the November election. They include forbidding more than one dropbox in every community, regardless of the size of the community, and the dropbox must be attached to the building where the city clerk’s office is located. 

Employees in nursing homes are forbidden from helping residents to vote, and the family of residents must be notified whenever special voting deputies come to the facility to register voters.  Elderly, disabled, and indefinitely confined voters no longer would be able to request an absentee ballot for all upcoming elections, but have to make the request and provide ID for each and every election.  Anyone indefinitely confined would need to affirm their status under oath, and if they are under 65, the sworn statement has to be signed by their health care provider.  Further, anyone who identified as indefinitely confined between March 12, 2020 and November 3, 2020 would lose that status and have to reapply.

These are just a few of the many anti-democratic, anti-voter bills being proposed.  Sadly, polls show that few people are aware of these measures, not just in Wisconsin but nation-wide.  The best way to counter these extreme voter suppression efforts is to shine a spotlight on them.  The more people become aware, the more there will be a public outcry.  Please help spread the word and raise your voices with your Senators and Assembly members and tell them you are counting on them to protect our democracy and people’s right to vote!

Read more information on these bills here. 

To find your legislator -  Call the toll-free legislative hotline at 1-800-362-9472 (266-9960 in Madison).
Or go to the directory for State Senators and for Assembly members.