News & Commentary

Mar 01, 2022

Answers to Voter ID Questions

Voter ID is in effect in Wisconsin. Most voters need a photo ID to vote in person on Election Day, to vote early in person at the clerk’s office, and to vote absentee by mail. (Voter ID is not the same as voter registration.)

Feb 11, 2022

Blog: An Anti-Protest Bill is Headed to Gov. Evers’ Desk. We Must Push Him to Reject It

The Wisconsin legislature just passed Senate Bill 296, a piece of anti-protest legislation, through both chambers. Masquerading as legislation aiming to stop so-called “riots,” SB296 contains broad and ambiguous language that could criminalize various aspects of lawful assembly.

By Abby Kanyer, Deputy Director of Community Engagement

Jan 21, 2022

Blog: ACLU Supports DOC's Authority to Ban Pepper Spray and Opposes AB826

Placing a blanket ban on pepper spray prohibitions will only create more avenues for unchecked abuse and increased excessive force. Incarcerated youth are long-owed a focus on actual rehabilitation practices and the State Assembly has no business contradicting that.

By James Stein, Deputy Advocacy Director

Jan 18, 2022

Blog: Putting A Price On Voting Rights: A Proposal for A Modern-Day Poll Tax in Wisconsin

On Jan. 4, lawmakers in the Wisconsin legislature proposed bills that would require people with felony convictions to pay all fines imposed as part of their sentence before regaining their voting rights.

By Abby Kanyer, Deputy Director of Community Engagement

Dec 21, 2021

Timeline: How Law Enforcement Fueled Violence in Kenosha

An ACLU investigation illustrates how law enforcement failed to protect protesters and amplified tensions on August 25, 2020.

A collage of sheriff images at protests and text message evidence from the night of the 2020 Kenosha protests.
Dec 03, 2021

Know Your Rights: Social Media Blocking By Public Officials

Can elected officials block you on social media? We answer some frequently asked questions.

Nov 05, 2021

Blog: "A National Disgrace: Wisconsin Incarcerates More Black People Than Anywhere Else"

Wisconsin has the highest incarceration rate of Black people in the country -- a reality rooted in a racist criminal legal system.

By James Stein, Deputy Advocacy Director

Oct 27, 2021

Blog: Stand Up For Abortion Rights

A growing anti-abortion agenda is sweeping the country. The ACLU is here to defend against it.

By Shaadie Ali, Senior Strategist and Leadership Advisor

Oct 21, 2021

Make Your Voice Heard: Have a Say in the Future of Policing in Milwaukee

We sued the City of Milwaukee to demand unbiased and constitutional policing by the Milwaukee Police Department. According to a recent report, we see that Black and Latinx Milwaukeeans continue to be stopped and frisked at alarming, worsening rates.