This election season is important for many reasons, one of which is climate change affecting our environment. Candidates all over the state of Wisconsin and the country have put forward positions on the environmental issues that are so important to the future of our planet. These positions will determine policy around the environment for many years into the future, and because of the pressing nature of many environmental issues, we must elect concerned candidates who we know will fight for our wild lands and sustainable energy. For this reason, it is more important than ever to make your voice heard and to loudly participate in the political process, in democracy. Although voting is a powerful agent for making change, you only get one vote. Becoming involved in other ways, you can inspire others and help them realize the importance of going to the polls, which is what will ultimately decide the outcomes of our elections. Volunteering your time for a campaign that you support, attending forums in your area, researching candidates, talking about the issues and overall getting engaged in the political process will help protect our planet in a big way.
For your convenience, we have put together a list of forums that are opportunities for you to question candidates about their positions and listen to what they have to say about the important issues facing our environment. For more information about these forums, click on the link associated with each individual forum!
Forum for 29th District Assembly Election and St. Croix District Attorney Election
Council Chambers of New Richmond City Hall (156 East First St., New Richmond, WI)
Oct. 13 at 7pm
Candidates Scottie Ard, Rob Stafsholt, Sarah Yacoub, Michael Nieskes
http://www.newrichmondchamber.com/events/details/candidate-forum-3581
Radio Forum for 92nd District Assembly Election
WPR’s The West Side (88.3 WHWC-FM/ Menomonie-Eau Claire and 88.7 WRFW-FM/ River Falls)
Oct. 17 at 10am (Toll free call in number: 800-228-5615)
Candidates Chris Danou, Debbie Bork, Treig Pronchinske
http://www.wpr.org/shows/general-election-forum
UW River Falls Candidate Forum for 30th District Assembly and 10th District Senate Election
Riverview Ballroom of the University Center
Oct. 18 at 4:30 p.m.
Candidates Sheila Harsdorf, Diane Odeen, Scott Nelson, Aaron Taylor, Shannon Zimmerman
Radio Forum for 10th District Senate Election
WPR’s The West Side (88.3 WHWC-FM/ Menomonie-Eau Claire and 88.7 WRFW-FM/ River Falls)
Oct. 24 at 10am (Toll free call in number: 800-228-5615)
Candidates: Diane Odeen (D) and Sheila Harsdorf
http://www.wpr.org/shows/general-election-forum
Radio Forum for 67th District Assembly Election
WPR’s The West Side (88.3 WHWC-FM/ Menomonie-Eau Claire and 88.7 WRFW-FM/ River Falls)
Oct. 31 at 10am (Toll free call in number: 800-228-5615)
Candidates Rob Summerfield, Michael Hanke, Dennis Hunt, Dennis Doughty, Anthony Zammit, Travis Hakes
http://www.wpr.org/shows/general-election-forum
Make your efforts count even more by volunteering your time to a campaign! Reach out to your local candidates, and become active by canvassing, fundraising or making phone calls! If you are not sure which candidate you would like to campaign for, here is a link that shows all of the candidates that the Sierra Club has endorsed in Wisconsin for this election season. Many of these candidates have established websites and Facebook pages, so it should be easy to connect and to start making an impact!
Sal DiVita is a Political Intern with the Sierra Club - John Muir Chapter and a student at UW-Madison.