As we head into 2025, the role of pro-democracy organizations—especially those operating in Wisconsin—has never been more vital. We’re at a critical juncture to protect the freedoms we hold dear.
As our co-founder Jeff Mandell wrote recently, the November 2024 election results empowered “people openly hostile to our democratic institutions and contemptuous of the rule of law,” who seek to “turn the clock back more than a century.” But, there’s a silver lining: Wisconsin is uniquely positioned for this fight.
We’ve all heard the phrase “as goes Wisconsin, so goes the country.” There’s more to that than politics—there’s a deep history of Wisconsinites being at the forefront of progressive change. Our state motto of “Forward” is a nod to our legacy as the birthplace of public sector unions, the first state to ratify the 19th Amendment, and an innovator in fostering transparent, responsive government. The Wisconsin Idea was born in the early 1900s, when progressives saw U.S. states as “laboratories for democracy” primed for policy experimentation. Those experiments resulted in significant reforms including worker’s compensation, the breaking up monopolies, tax reform, and open primaries.
At its core, the Wisconsin Idea was about legislation aimed at benefiting the greatest number of people, and we set an example for other states. We showed the country how in Wisconsin, across lines of geography, race, gender, income, educational attainment, religious belief, and ideology, we take care of one another.
But for much of the past two decades, Wisconsin has been ground zero for testing rightwing ideas that undermine the fundamental values on which our democracy stands. Voter ID restricted access to the polls; union-busting laws quelled organizing; lame ducks consolidated legislative authority; and minority rule was entrenched through the country’s most extreme partisan gerrymander.
Taking the fight to the coordinated, well-funded, right-wing legal infrastructure was why Law Forward was born. And in the last four years, with your help and the help of democracy reform organizations around the country, here’s what we’ve accomplished:
- Ended the state legislative gerrymander
- Overturned the anti-union Act 10 law
- Held fake electors accountable
- Held election deniers accountable
- Protected the right to vote via drop box
- Protected the right to vote by mail
- Protected the right to vote early in person
- Protected disabled voters’ rights to vote
- Protected students’ right to access the ballot box where they live, work, and study
- Stopped an unlawful voter roll purge
We did all of that because of the freedoms afforded to us by our state constitution. We did all of that with your help, and more, and with the help of partner democracy reform organizations across the country including but not limited to:
- Protect Democracy
- States United Democracy Center
- Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection
- Campaign Legal Center
- American Oversight
In Wisconsin, we’ve represented and partnered with many democracy nonprofits. Our work is not possible without them, including but not limited to:
- League of Women Voters of Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Education Association Council
- Black Leaders Organizing for Communities
- SEIU Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
- Souls to the Polls
- Voces de la Frontera
- Disability Rights Wisconsin
With an incoming administration already appointing cabinet officials who do not respect the rule of law and extremist justices commandeering the U.S. Supreme Court, the protections enshrined in our state constitution are more important than ever before. How we come together as a state in this moment will define Wisconsin for decades to come. All of us, regardless of party affiliation, must stand in defense of civil rights, civil liberties, fair elections, and the fundamental workings of government of, for, and by the people.
The best way for you to support democracy in 2025 and beyond is to support democracy organizations.
With fair maps moving us toward a legislature that reflects the will of the people, Wisconsin once again has an opportunity to be a shining beacon for the rest of the country of what the people can accomplish when we come together—loudly—to protect our rights and our progressive tradition.
Our country has faced repression before—in fact we have never been without it. Now, with an administration that has demonstrated disregard for the rule of law, it’s up to us, together, to pick up the baton and show up for our freedoms, our families, and our futures.
Forward, always!