Wisconsin is gearing up for yet another statewide election season this fall. There will be a primary election on August 11, followed by the general election on November 3. In addition to a plethora of statewide elections for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer and statewide referendums, there will likely be races for a seat in the State Legislature in your community. The candidates for these offices will be putting themselves in front of voters throughout the summer and early fall in hopes of gaining their support. That means you may have opportunities to ask them questions about the issues that are important to you.
One of the best ways to ask a candidate a question is to go to a town hall forum. At those events, candidates will invite their potential constituents to ask them questions in a public setting. Town halls may also offer a virtual option to enable voters with transportation barriers to join remotely from home. If you prefer talking with someone in a smaller group, you may have other options. Candidates often host less formal gatherings at local businesses. They can also often be found at community fairs and festivals. And of course you can always reach out to them directly through their social media, a campaign email address or web form, or by calling their campaign office on the phone.
When talking to a candidate about an important topic, there is an easy formula you should follow to help you ask your question in the most efficient and effective way possible.
- Clearly state the topic. This helps provide you and the candidate with the right frame of reference to discuss the issue.
- Give a little context to the issue in question. Candidates probably won’t know all the details about why something is an issue. Giving one or two key pieces of information can help them understand why your question is important, while not overwhelming them with information. You should also use personal stories to show the candidate why the issue matters to you.
- Include a concrete request in your question. Know what it is you want to see changed and what you want the candidate to do to make that change happen.
For example, let’s say you want to ask a candidate about expanding specialized transportation programs. First, tell them that you’d like to ask them about these programs. Second, give them context about the issue, such as the fact that about 31% of Wisconsinites are nondrivers; that these programs help older adults and people with disabilities who live in rural areas maintain their independence; and that the programs are severely underfunded. Finally, make your concrete ask: “How do you propose increasing specialized transportation funding to better meet the needs of these individuals?” By using this formula to frame your question, you will be more likely to get the information you’re looking for, enabling you to make an informed voting decision.
If you are in a public setting, like a town hall forum, listening to how other people are asking questions can be helpful. By knowing what works for a specific candidate, you can tailor your question to fit the situation and get the response you’re looking for.
Issues related to healthcare, nondrivers and voting are top priorities for the Council this year. Here are some key facts you can use to help candidates understand why your issue is important.
Health Care
- About 4.2% of older adults in Wisconsin report severe vision impairment or blindness.
- A major shortage of vision services professionals means that only a small percentage of people with vision loss are getting the services they need to live with independence and dignity.
Nondrivers and Pedestrian Safety
- 31% of Wisconsin residents do not drive, and even more drive only in specific situations (solely during the day, short distances from home, etc.).
- Older adults and people with disabilities rely on specialized transportation programs to get to where they need to go, but underfunding of these programs leaves people without rides.
Voting
- Absentee ballots that are only available on printed paper are inaccessible to people with print disabilities, including people who are blind or low vision.
- Accessible absentee ballots sent electronically would allow these voters to cast their ballots securely and privately.
To learn more about our advocacy priorities, visit the Advocacy page on our website.