Thread by @benwikler

WISCONSINITES: Maybe you’ve volunteered. Maybe you’ve chipped in. You want to be more deeply involved, and want a voice in the future of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. It’s time to take the next step: officially become a party member! Here’s why: 1/
wisdems.org/joinus

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is a small-d democratic organization, built from the grassroots up. Our leadership, at every level, is chosen by our members, because the grassroots power our electoral victories across the state.

The foundation for our state party is our county parties. They’re all over the state. Become an official @WisDems member & you’ll join your county party (& vice versa). Want to plug in to politics? There’s no better way than going to county party meetings.
wisdems.org/get-involved/c…

At a county party meeting, you’ll meet local electeds, candidates & activists. You might sign up to walk in a parade, distribute signs, join a community service day, or plug into local campaigns. Thinking about running for office someday? Joining @WisDems is your best first step.

All you have to do to be an official @WisDems member is be at least 14 years old, a resident of Wisconsin, and pay your membership fee. Our membership is in a tiered system, to be more equitable for our students, veterans, and low-income Wisconsinites.
wisdems.org/joinus

To be clear: You don’t have to be a party member to volunteer or support @WisDems. Tons of folks are involved without being official party members. But to have a vote on party leadership, our constitution & bylaws, and our platform—you’ve gotta join.

In other states, you hear people say they’re “registered Democrats” (or, sigh, “registered Republicans”). Not in WI. When you register to vote here, there’s no box to check to indicate your party support. The state doesn’t track party registration.

So, when Wisconsinites say colloquially “I’m a Democrat,” that generally is a statement of their values and the way they vote—not that they’re on a list of Dems somewhere. If you want to raise your hand and make it official, sign up with the party!

There is SO much to do in the party. We’ve got tons of subunits: County parties, Congressional District parties, college, high school, and Young Dems, and caucuses. Each of these has elected leaders—which could include you!—chosen by @WisDems members.

Members can also apply to become delegates for our annual state convention (coming up this June!) where you can have your voice heard on the issues our party needs to prioritize in the next two years by voting on our platform.

If you believe that a big part of politics is simply showing up—and that Dems should show up year-round, in every community, not just a month before big elections… you can make that a reality by joining the party and helping do that work.

If you believe, as we do, that Democrats have to organize across lines of difference—in white, Black, and brown communities, in rural areas and suburbs and cities alike, with tribal nations, across language and ethnicity—well: join us and help make it happen!

If you believe the national messages you see on TV aren’t right for your community, and that you can do it better… join the party and work with your local party units to communicate in ways that really resonate!

If you’re involved in a ton of activism but not in the party itself, join the party and help make sure we stay connected to the labor movement and so many other social movements that are shaping the future.

There’s a centuries-old tradition of complaining about what political parties are or aren’t doing. But the extraordinary thing is that by simply joining @WisDems and starting to come to local meetings, you *become* the party, and by doing things, you shape what it does.

This party is what we make of it. And we’re one of the 57 state and territorial parties that make up @TheDemocrats. So by getting active here, you’re helping shape our national party as well. Join us!
wisdems.org/joinus