Bidenbucks’ Controversy Surrounds Leftist Group’s Voter Drive in Milwaukee Schools
Only a dismal 16 percent of Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) students are proficient in reading and writing, while a mere 12 percent excel in math. Despite these alarming statistics, MPS is focusing its efforts on partnering with a Democrat-aligned activist organization called VoteRiders to register MPS students and their families to vote. This questionable collaboration raises concerns about the priorities of the school district and its commitment to improving educational outcomes.
It’s no surprise that this move has drawn criticism. Dave Craig, a senior legal fellow at the Foundation for Government Accountability, likens it to the controversial ”Zuckerbucks” scheme, where large sums of money were funneled into election administration by the left-leaning Center for Tech and Civic Life. Craig believes that the legislature should investigate this matter further.
What makes this voter registration initiative even more concerning is its resemblance to President Joe Biden’s executive order known as “Bidenbucks.” This order aims to transform federal agencies into tools for Democratic voter mobilization. The involvement of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, which funds school meals, suggests a potential connection to this partisan effort.
‘Every School has a Voter Champion’
Wisconsin law allows pre-registration of eligible voters before they turn 18, and the state has long emphasized civic engagement in its schools. However, MPS has taken this concept to a new level by partnering with VoteRiders and the League of Women Voters to register high school students who will be 18 by election day. Each school has a designated “Voter Champion” faculty member who assists students without photo IDs by connecting them with VoteRiders.
This initiative raises legal and privacy concerns. MPS may be violating the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and its own policies by sharing student information with a political activist group. Additionally, the Wisconsin election bribery statute prohibits offering anything of value to induce voters to vote or refrain from voting.
Leftist Ride
VoteRiders, a self-proclaimed voting rights organization, has a history of supporting Democratic causes and receives funding from dark money networks. Its involvement in this voter registration campaign aligns with its mission to fight against election integrity laws, particularly voter ID provisions. The organization’s Wisconsin coordinator, Jake Spence, boasted about their efforts to mobilize Democratic voters in a critical state Supreme Court election.
Bidenbucks
President Biden’s Executive Order 14019, signed shortly after the 2020 election, aims to increase voter registration and turnout by leveraging federal agencies and approved third-party organizations. This order has raised concerns about government interference in elections and the use of taxpayer resources for partisan purposes.
The involvement of the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service in promoting voter registration among program participants and their families is particularly troubling. It is not the role of federal agencies to engage in get-out-the-vote campaigns, and this use of government resources for political purposes mirrors the accusations made against former President Donald Trump.
‘Deeply Problematic’
MPS’s partnership with leftist groups like VoteRiders and the League of Women Voters is deeply concerning. State Senator Dan Knodl has expressed his worries about the lack of inclusion of non-leftist groups in this initiative and the district’s failure to prioritize core subjects like reading and math. The focus on political activism instead of educational improvement raises questions about the motives and effectiveness of MPS.
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Does the involvement of politically-aligned organizations like VoteRiders in the MPS voter registration initiative raise concerns about potential partisan influence on the education system?
Ers is not just any voter registration organization. It is a left-leaning activist group that advocates for expanded access to voting, particularly targeting young, minority, and low-income individuals. While increasing voter registration and engagement is important, partnering with a politically-aligned organization raises questions about the neutrality and fairness of the registration process.
The involvement of VoteRiders in the MPS voter registration initiative brings to mind concerns about potential partisan influence on the education system. By collaborating with an organization that has a clear political agenda, MPS sends a message that its priority is not necessarily academic achievement, but rather advancing a specific political ideology.
Furthermore, the similarities between this initiative and President Biden’s executive order known as “Bidenbucks” are striking. Biden’s order seeks to use federal agencies as tools for Democratic voter mobilization, and the involvement of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, which funds school meals, raises questions about a potential connection to this partisan effort.
Wisconsin law allows for the pre-registration of eligible voters before they turn 18, and the state has a history of promoting civic engagement in schools. However, the partnership between MPS, VoteRiders, and the League of Women Voters takes this concept to a new level by registering high school students who will be 18 by election day. While civic engagement is important, the involvement of a politically-aligned organization raises concerns about the impartiality of the voter registration process.
Moreover, this initiative raises legal and privacy concerns. Sharing student information with a political activist group may violate the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and MPS’s own policies. Additionally, the Wisconsin election bribery statute prohibits offering anything of value to induce voters to vote or refrain from voting. The involvement of VoteRiders raises questions about potential violations of these laws and regulations.
The fact that only 16 percent of MPS students are proficient in reading and writing, and only 12 percent excel in math, highlights the urgent need for the district to prioritize educational outcomes. Instead of focusing on improving academic achievement, MPS has chosen to allocate its resources and efforts towards a voter registration initiative. This questionable decision raises concerns about the district’s commitment to its primary mission of providing a quality education for its students.
In conclusion, the partnership between MPS and VoteRiders raises concerns about the priorities of the school district and its commitment to improving educational outcomes. By collaborating with a politically-aligned activist group, MPS risks compromising the fairness and neutrality of the voter registration process. It is crucial that the legislature investigates this matter further to ensure the integrity of our education system and the electoral process.
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