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Election Day November 5, 2024
Return Ballots By 2024-11-05
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Return Ballots by Tuesday, November 5th

The Wisconsin Progressive Voters Guide compiles the information that allows you to make informed decisions about the races on your ballot, based on your values. Absentee ballots must be received by your municipal clerk by Tuesday, November 5 at 8PM. Vote in every race on your ballot, then share this guide with your friends and family!

State Senator, District 16

Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below State Senate races on your ballot.

Former warehouse employee and paralegal Melissa Ratcliff has been involved in Dane County politics since being elected to the Cottage Grove Village Board in 2018. Since then, she has served three terms on the Dane County Board and one term in the State Assembly, all while continuing her paralegal career. Ratcliff now plans to serve as a full-time legislator working to increase investment in roads and public safety, ensure safe communities for our LGBTQ+ neighbors, and create more affordable housing. She is also a strong supporter of reproductive freedom and will fight Republican efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion measures. Ratcliff is unopposed in this race and is the progressive choice.

Former warehouse employee and paralegal Melissa Ratcliff has been involved in Dane County politics since being elected to the Cottage Grove Village Board in 2018. Since then, she has served three terms on the Dane County Board and one term in the State Assembly, all while continuing her paralegal career. Ratcliff now plans to serve as a full-time legislator working to increase investment in roads and public safety, ensure safe communities for our LGBTQ+ neighbors, and create more affordable housing. She is also a strong supporter of reproductive freedom and will fight Republican efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion measures. Ratcliff is unopposed in this race and is the progressive choice.

State Assembly

Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below State Assembly races on your ballot.

Representative, District 37

LaToya Bates has career experience in education, business, and social services. She leads a nonprofit organization serving victims of domestic and sexual abuse, as well as an event management company. Bates knows that Wisconsinites are facing rising costs everywhere, and is committed to finding relief for the middle class. Having worked as an educator, Bates is familiar with the struggles our schools and teachers are facing, and will fight for educational resources to be well-spent. She also plans to advocate for rural healthcare, including mental healthcare, and for the right to choose an abortion. Bates is running against Republican Representative Mark Born, who has previously been endorsed by an extremist group that wants to ban abortion, even in cases when the pregnant person's life is at risk. LaToya Bates is the clear progressive choice in this race.

LaToya Bates has career experience in education, business, and social services. She leads a nonprofit organization serving victims of domestic and sexual abuse, as well as an event management company. Bates knows that Wisconsinites are facing rising costs everywhere, and is committed to finding relief for the middle class. Having worked as an educator, Bates is familiar with the struggles our schools and teachers are facing, and will fight for educational resources to be well-spent. She also plans to advocate for rural healthcare, including mental healthcare, and for the right to choose an abortion. Bates is running against Republican Representative Mark Born, who has previously been endorsed by an extremist group that wants to ban abortion, even in cases when the pregnant person's life is at risk. LaToya Bates is the clear progressive choice in this race.

Representative, District 38

Izzy Nevarez is the son of Mexican immigrants, and has a background in both the finance and nonprofit sectors. He remembers the safety nets that his family relied upon when he was growing up, such as affordable housing programs, and wants more families to be able to benefit from them. Nevarez believes all Wisconsinites need access to quality healthcare through BadgerCare expansion, and although the 38th district may not be the largest or the wealthiest, its citizens deserve just as much support as others. His opponent is Republican Representative William Penterman, who has previously been endorsed by two of Wisconsin’s most radical anti-abortion organizations. Izzy Nevarez is the progressive choice in this race.

Izzy Nevarez is the son of Mexican immigrants, and has a background in both the finance and nonprofit sectors. He remembers the safety nets that his family relied upon when he was growing up, such as affordable housing programs, and wants more families to be able to benefit from them. Nevarez believes all Wisconsinites need access to quality healthcare through BadgerCare expansion, and although the 38th district may not be the largest or the wealthiest, its citizens deserve just as much support as others. His opponent is Republican Representative William Penterman, who has previously been endorsed by two of Wisconsin’s most radical anti-abortion organizations. Izzy Nevarez is the progressive choice in this race.

Representative, District 46

Joan is a former Jefferson County Board supervisor, a Wisconsin native who has taught high school math for 33 years, and a mom of two. While teaching, Fitzgerald was an active member of the Jefferson Education Association and served as President, Vice President, and Treasurer, as well as sitting on the Negotiations Team. As part of the County Board, Fitzgerald was chair of the Broadband work group and developed partnerships with businesses to bring in $5 million of grant money for Jefferson County. She is passionate about making sure Wisconsinites can access affordable childcare, can send their children to strong public schools, and can live in safe neighborhoods free from gun violence. Opposing Fitzgerald is Republican candidate Jenifer Quimby. Joan Fitzgerald is the progressive choice in this race.

Joan is a former Jefferson County Board supervisor, a Wisconsin native who has taught high school math for 33 years, and a mom of two. While teaching, Fitzgerald was an active member of the Jefferson Education Association and served as President, Vice President, and Treasurer, as well as sitting on the Negotiations Team. As part of the County Board, Fitzgerald was chair of the Broadband work group and developed partnerships with businesses to bring in $5 million of grant money for Jefferson County. She is passionate about making sure Wisconsinites can access affordable childcare, can send their children to strong public schools, and can live in safe neighborhoods free from gun violence. Opposing Fitzgerald is Republican candidate Jenifer Quimby. Joan Fitzgerald is the progressive choice in this race.