Race to the polls...

Our schools, our communities, and our economy will be better when every person in the state has access to opportunity—but in order to achieve this, our lawmakers must stand up for racial justice and advance policies that promote racial equity.

We need leaders who will engage with Wisconsin's communities of color, amplify their voices, and work to advance policies that promote racial justice. 

Race to the Polls is for the people by the people:

  • People who are ready to make racial justice a priority.

  • People who are ready to vote for candidates who talk about issues affecting communities of color.

  • People who will hold elected officials accountable and support policies that will undo the many unjust policies and practices that exist in our state and throughout our nation.

Are you a voter committed to bringing racial justice issues to the forefront this election season?

 
 

A Movement

Wisconsin will thrive when everyone is thriving, including its communities of color. But hundreds of years of oppression, institutionalized racism, and the intentional removal of resources have resulted in alarming racial disparities in health, education, child welfare, criminal justice, employment, and income for Wisconsin’s communities of color.

Wisconsin can do better. Wisconsin must do better. In order to be a state where every child, every family, and every community thrives and receives the benefits of a robust economy, we must address the persistent racial disparities that plague Wisconsin. We all have a role in addressing these problems and there's no better place to start than at the polls. 

 

Population

African Americans: 361,730

Native Americans: 51,459

Latinx or Hispanic: 371,205

Asian: 148,077

White: 4,727,553

Source: US Census Bureau, 2012-2016 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

 

Poverty

Wisconsin's economic system has significant barriers to success for many communities of color, as a result of hundreds of years of inequitable policies.

36% of African American people live in poverty.

28% of Native American people live in poverty.

26% of Latinx people live in poverty.

19% of Asian American people live in poverty.

9% of White people live in poverty.

Source: US Census Bureau, 2012-2016 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

Graduation

Our education system has failed to include and support students of color throughout Wisconsin. 

36% of African American youth do not graduate high school on time.

22% of Native American youth do not graduate high school on time.

20% of Latinx youth do not graduate high school on time.

11% of Asian youth do not graduate high school on time.

 7% of White youth do not graduate high school on time.

Source: KIDS COUNT Data Center, 2015-2016 Estimates

 
 

Resources

 

What's at Stake?

Learn more about what elections you can vote in on November 6 and what each election could mean for communities of color and racial justice in Wisconsin.

Voting

Learn more about what you need in order to vote in Wisconsin, make a plan to vote, and then get out the vote! 

 
 
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Share Your Story

Tell us why you're taking the pledge and why racial justice is important for Wisconsin's children, families, and communities.

Share Your Story

 
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"I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept."

Angela Y. Davis

 

 

Get Involved

Race for the Polls is all about people standing up for people of color. Sign the pledge, commit to voting, share your story, and raise your voice for racial equity.