The Fall Gathering of the Wisconsin Green Party (WIGP) will be held on 9 November. 2024 Fall Membership Meeting Saturday, November 9th 2024 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM DeKoven Center 2000 Wisconsin Ave, Racine, WI 53403 12:00 PM-12:15 PM - Welcome 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM - Speaker: Caliph Muab‘El, Executive Director of Breaking Barriers 1:15 PM - 1:20 PM - Co-Chair Report 1:20 PM - 1:23 PM Finance Report 1:23 PM - 1:25 PM Membership Dues Approval 1:25 PM - 1:45 PM - Chapter Accreditation Approval, Chapter Reports  1:45 PM - 2:00 PM - Elections Report 2:00 PM - 2:15 PM - BREAK 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM - Coordinating Council Nominations Co-Chair - 2 year term Co-Chair - Confirm appointment (1 year remaining on term) Elections Treasurer Operations Treasurer Recording Secretary Corresponding Secretary Congressional District Representatives (8, 1 from each district) At Large Representatives (8) Chapter Representatives (1 from each accredited chapter) Caucus Representative 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM - By-law Amendment Discussion Article 1 Section 3 (Name and Membership: Membership Meetings) Article 1 Section 7 (Name and Membership: Decision Making) Article 3 Section 1 (Coordinating Council: Coordinating Council) Article 6 Section 2 (Local Party Chapters: Requirements) Article 1 Section 8 (Name and Membership: Removal) Article 3 Section 8 (Coordinating Council: Removal) Article 10 Section 2 (Discrimination: Removal) Article 6 Section 5 (Local Party Chapters: Disaccreditation) 3:45 PM - 4:00 PM - Closing Comments WIGP Proposed Bylaws Changes Article 1 Section 3 (Name and Membership: Membership Meetings)   Current: There shall be meetings of the Members at least biannually either online or at locations in Wisconsin to be determined by the Coordinating Council. One of the Membership meetings shall be convened in the fall of each year and shall have as part of its agenda the election of Co-Chairs, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, Elections Treasurer, and Operations Treasurer for the following year. Member meetings may be held online or in person, in-person meetings shall be held in different locations in Wisconsin with a view toward the development of local Green groups in that area. Minutes of all Membership meetings shall be kept by the recording secretary and all policy decisions and resolutions published thereafter in the organization’s newsletter.   Proposed Change: There shall be meetings of the Members at least biannually. The meeting shall be hybrid with a central in-person location determined by the Coordinating Council. The central In-person meeting shall be held in different locations in Wisconsin with a view toward the development of local Green groups in that area. One of the Membership meetings shall be convened in the fall of each year and shall have as part of its agenda the election of Co-Chairs, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, Elections Treasurer, and Operations Treasurer for the following year. Minutes of all Membership meetings shall be kept by the recording secretary and all policy decisions and resolutions published thereafter in the organization’s newsletter.  Article 1 Section 7 (Name and Membership: Decision Making)   Current: Decisions made at Membership meetings shall be subject to ratification by online voting by the full membership of the party. Any matter that was presented for a vote at the meeting may be subject to a vote by the full membership of the party, and the results shall be binding if at least twenty percent of the voting members participate in the vote. In order to pass, a proposal must receive a 60% majority, not counting abstaining votes. The online voting period shall be open for at least seven days after the meeting, and shall be conducted in a manner that ensures the security and integrity of the voting process. Elections shall be conducted using Ranked Choice Voting, with members allowed to choose a “none of the above” option which is binding if it receives a majority. Proposed Change: Decisions made at State Membership meetings shall be made via the consensus process. If a consensus cannot be reached, members will vote during the meeting. In order to pass, a proposal must receive a 60% majority, not counting abstaining votes. Elections at State Membership meetings shall be conducted using Ranked Choice Voting.  Elections may be held online with a voting period not to exceed 5 days. Online voting shall be conducted in a manner that ensures the security and integrity of the voting process. All members in good standing at the time of the Membership Meeting will be sent a ballot and may participate in online voting.  Article 3 Section 1 (Coordinating Council: Coordinating Council)   Current: Each accredited Local Chapter shall be entitled to nominate one (1) Member at their local meeting prior to the Fall Gathering. The election shall take place at the full membership meeting.   Proposed Change: Each accredited Local Chapter shall be entitled to elect one (1) Member at their local meeting to serve as their representative on the Coordinating Council prior to the Fall Gathering.  Each accredited Caucus shall be entitled to elect one (1) Member in Good Standing. These Members will be elected in their caucus meetings prior to the Fall Gathering.  Article 6 Section 2 (Local Party Chapters: Requirements)   Current: To be affiliated, a Local Party Chapter must have at least three Wisconsin Green Party members, and submit to the Coordinating Council an affiliation application that lists: at least three (3) Wisconsin Green Party Members in Good Standing who wish to start the Local Party Chapter with their contact information; the dates, times and locations of regular public meetings; a summary of the organization’s proposed activities, projects, and goals; and any other information deemed appropriate by the Coordinating Council. Each Local Party Chapter must practice democratic decision-making, as outlined in Article 2, Section 7. All Members in Good Standing of the Wisconsin Green Party within the Local Party Chapter’s defined boundaries are entitled to participate.   Proposed Change: To be affiliated, a Local Party Chapter must have at least three Wisconsin Green Party members, and submit to the Coordinating Council an affiliation application that lists: at least three (3) Wisconsin Green Party Members in Good Standing who wish to start the Local Party Chapter with their contact information; the dates, times and locations of regular public meetings; a summary of the organization’s proposed activities, projects, and goals; and any other information deemed appropriate by the Coordinating Council. Each Local Party Chapter must practice democratic decision-making using the modified consensus model. Elections must use ranked choice voting in contested races. All Members in Good Standing of the Wisconsin Green Party within the Local Party Chapter’s defined boundaries are entitled to participate.  Article 1 Section 8 (Name and Membership: Removal)   Current: Any member of the Wisconsin Green Party may be removed from Membership in the organization for gross misconduct or violation of the adopted Key Values, Platform, or code of conduct adopted by the Party, by decision of the Coordinating Council. Notice of such a proposed removal must be sent out prior to the meeting where it is proposed. The member in question shall receive a notice before the meeting at which the decision is to be made, and a hearing if requested. In addition, any member of the Wisconsin Green Party may be removed by online vote by the full membership of the party. Notice of such a proposed removal must be sent out at least seven days prior to the online voting period, and the vote shall be conducted in a manner that ensures the security and integrity of the voting process. The results shall be binding if at least twenty percent of the voting members participate in the vote. In order to pass, a proposal must receive a 60% majority, not counting abstaining votes. The online voting period shall be open for at least seven days, and the Member in question shall receive a notice of the vote and an opportunity to respond before the voting period begins. The process shall be initiated when requests have been received from at least fifteen percent of members in good standing. Proposed Change:Any member of the Wisconsin Green Party may be removed from Membership in the organization for gross misconduct or violation of the adopted Key Values, Platform, or code of conduct adopted by the Party. The Coordinating Council may move to suspend a Member pending a removal decision made by the Membership at the next Membership Meeting. Notice of such a proposed removal must be sent out at least 10 days prior to the meeting where it is proposed. The member in question shall receive a notice before the meeting at which the decision is to be made, and a hearing if requested. At the hearing, the Member in question shall be allowed to speak and have others speak on the Member’s behalf.  Article 3 Section 8 (Coordinating Council: Removal)   Current: Any officer or member of the Coordinating Council may be removed, by decision of other Members of the Council, for gross misconduct or violation of the adopted Key Values or code of conduct adopted by the Party. Officers or Members will be considered resigned from office by giving notice to other Coordinating Council Members of their resignation or after failing to perform their clearly defined duties for a period of three months. The Officer or Member in question shall receive a notice, and a hearing if requested. In addition, any Officer or Member of the Coordinating Council may be removed by online vote by the full membership of the party. Notice of such a proposed removal must be sent out at least seven days prior to the online voting period, and the vote shall be conducted in a manner that ensures the security and integrity of the voting process. The results shall be binding if at least twenty percent of the voting members participate in the vote. In order to pass, a proposal must receive a 60% majority, not counting abstaining votes. The online voting period shall be open for at least seven days, and the member in question shall receive a notice of the vote and an opportunity to respond before the voting period begins. The process shall be initiated when requests have been received from at least fifteen percent of members in good standing.   Proposed Change: Any Officer or Member of the Wisconsin Green Party may be removed from Membership in the organization for gross misconduct or violation of the adopted Key Values, Platform, or code of conduct adopted by the Party The Coordinating Council may move to suspend an Officer or Member pending a removal decision made by the Membership at the next Membership Meeting. Notice of such a proposed removal must be sent out prior to the meeting where it is proposed. The member in question shall receive a notice at least 10 days before the meeting at which the decision is to be made, and a hearing if requested. At the hearing, the Officer or Member in question shall be allowed to speak and have others speak on their behalf. Officers or Members will be considered resigned from office by giving notice to other Coordinating Council Members of their resignation or after failing to perform their clearly defined duties for a period of three months.  Article 10 Section 2 (Discrimination: Removal)   Current: Any Member of the Wisconsin Green Party who violates Article 10, Section 1, above, may be removed from Membership by decision of the full membership of the party. Prior notice of such a proposed removal must be sent out at least seven days prior to the online voting period, and the vote shall be conducted in a manner that ensures the security and integrity of the voting process. The results shall be binding if at least twenty percent of the voting members participate in the vote. In order to pass, a proposal must receive a 60% majority, not counting abstaining votes. The Member in question shall receive a notice of the vote and an opportunity to respond before the voting period begins, and a hearing if requested. The process shall be initiated when requests have been received from at least fifteen percent of members in good standing.   Proposed Change: Any Member of the Wisconsin Green Party who violates Article 10, Section 1, above, may be removed from Membership by decision of the full membership of the party. Prior notice of such a proposed removal must be sent out at least seven days prior to the meeting at which the decision is to be made. The process shall be initiated when requests have been received from at least fifteen percent of members in good standing.  Article 6 Section 5 (Local Party Chapters: Disaccreditation)   Current: Chapters can be disaccredited by decision of the Coordinating Council. Disaccreditation actions can be appealed to the Coordinating Council or Membership. Chapters that are disaccredited may reapply in the future in accordance with these bylaws.   Proposed Change: Chapters can be disaccredited by decision of the Coordinating Council following an appeal process and pending a decision by the Membership at the next Membership Meeting. A Chapter must be notified of disaccreditation at least 10 days before the meeting where the decision is to be made. Chapter members may request a hearing and shall be able to speak and have supporters speak on their behalf at the hearing. Chapters that are disaccredited may reapply in the future in accordance with these bylaws.    Discrimination on the basis of sex, race, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, ethnicity, culture, national origin, social and economic class, educational level, color, immigration status, size, family status, or mental or physical ability in the conduct of the affairs of the Wisconsin Green Party is prohibited.

Wisconsin Green Party Objects to the Democrats’ Attempt to Remove Jill Stein from Ballot Announces plan to recruit candidates in 2026 legislative and congressional elections The Wisconsin Green Party strongly objects to the Democratic Party’s repeated attempts to remove our candidates from the Wisconsin ballot, effectively denying Wisconsin voters a choice. The recent suit filed with the Wisconsin Supreme Court to remove Presidential Candidate Jill Stein from the ballot and the successful removal of 2020 candidate Howie Hawkins over frivolous technicalities are not just undemocratic but a blatant insult to the democratic rights of Wisconsin voters. The Wisconsin Green Party is not passively observing the Democratic Party's attack on our candidates and the voters of the State of Wisconsin. We are actively taking several proactive steps to defend our candidates and the democratic process. We are coordinating with the Jill Stein campaign to vigorously defend any lawsuits or further undemocratic actions of the Democratic Party. Any further action will result in a public media campaign that exposes the Democratic Party as undemocratic. We are not backing down. We are aggressively recruiting candidates for the 2026 federal and state legislative election races, targeting districts in Wisconsin where our message will have the most impact. The Wisconsin Green Party is setting up a special fund to get these candidates on the ballot and will aggressively fundraise for their campaigns. In the next several days, Greens will file to run for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, First and Third District Congress, and several State Assembly and Senate seats in 2026.    “The Democratic Party must learn that they cannot manipulate elections through attacks on the voter’s rights to choose the candidates who match their values, “ said Dr. Michael White, co-chair of the Wisconsin Green Party. “Their actions are undemocratic, and we, the party of people, planet, and peace, will not stand by and idly watch these attacks on democracy.” The Wisconsin Green Party is running to win these seats in 2026.  We are committing substantial resources to these campaigns and are creating a coordinated campaign committee to support these candidates.  Several people have pledged generous donations to assist in this effort. “I am sure that the Democrats perceive this as ‘spoiling’ their chances to win these upcoming elections, and they may perceive this as they wish,” said Pete Karas, elections committee chairperson.  “The Dems can avoid this perception of ‘spoiling’ an election easily by passing a ranked-choice voting law in Wisconsin.”   -30-    

Last week, students at UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, and other Wisconsin campuses joined thousands of students and faculty at college campuses across the country taking a stand with the people of Palestine, particularly the people under siege in Gaza. We stand with them, especially those who have been arrested, beaten and jailed for their participation in these encampments at UW-Madison, Columbia University, UCLA, Portland State, and elsewhere. Continue reading

The Wisconsin Green Party (WIGP) welcomes the new legislative maps recently signed by Governor Evers. We recognize that these maps can help put an end to the Republican gerrymandering that has distorted the representation of the people of Wisconsin during the past decade. We believe that these maps are fairer and more accurate than the previous ones, and that they will give more voice and choice to Wisconsin voters in upcoming elections. Continue reading

Each year, members of the Wisconsin Green Party elect party officers, representatives and delegates.  We have included some information about this year's candidates. Candidates must be current Wisconsin Green Party members in good standing to be eligible for election. Any information the candidates provide will be included in their profiles, as well as any statements of endorsement a candidate may have received. Continue reading

Spencer Black's June 27, 2023 opinion piece labels Cornel West’s third-party presidential campaign as “misguided,” citing Ralph Nader’s 2000 presidential campaign as an instance of how a Green Party presidential candidate can “spoil” elections for Democrats. Black asserts that Nader "took enough votes away from Gore to elect Bush," attributing Gore's loss in Florida, and consequently the election, to Nader's influence. Continue reading

The recent air quality crisis in Wisconsin has brought to the forefront the urgent need for sustainable solutions to environmental challenges. The Wisconsin Green Party is deeply concerned about the health and environmental impacts of this crisis and calls for immediate action to address the root causes of such environmental disasters. Continue reading

Today, we wish to address a critical issue brought to light by a recent article in Wisconsin Watch, titled "Wisconsin Voucher Schools: Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ and Students with Disabilities". As a party that proudly upholds social justice, we cannot remain silent in the face of these disturbing revelations. The publicly-funded voucher schools fostering an environment of discrimination against LGBTQ+ students and those with disabilities directly contravene the foundational principles of fairness, respect, and equality that we, as Wisconsinites, strive to uphold. Continue reading

On May 20, 2023, the Wisconsin Green Party (WIGP) held its Spring Gathering from 12 PM – 3 PM. The event covered a range of important topics and updates for party members, as well as a panel discussion entitled, “Housing is a Human Right.” Continue reading