REPUBLICAN PARTY OF ST. CROIX COUNTY

2024 COUNTY CAUCUS RESOLUTIONS

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UPHOLD GOVERNMENT’S FUNDAMENTAL PURPOSE TO SECURE

LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS FOR THE PEOPLE

WHEREAS, in America, all people have inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; and 

WHEREAS, in America, to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among the people, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed through the Constitution; and

WHEREAS, the United States Constitution delegates three situations where the federal government has authority over life; specifically, the power to declare War, to grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and to declare the punishment for treason; and 

WHEREAS, the authority to end life by abortion has not been delegated to the Federal Government by United States Constitution, and therefore, is retained by the States or the people; and 

WHEREAS, the Wisconsin State Constitution states all people are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights; among them are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; and to secure these rights, governments are instituted, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; and 

WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Constitution grants the state government no authority over life, no authority to declare war, no authority to legislate a death penalty, and no authority to end life by abortion other than to secure the life of the mother; and 

WHEREAS, the failure of public education to teach the foundational principle that government is instituted to secure life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness; in combination with 50 years of tyranny from Roe vs Wade; has caused the public to relinquish the inalienable right of life and to willingly accept the rule of courts over the sanctity of life. 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Republican Party of St. Croix County reminds our State and Federal Legislators that government is instituted, and their laws enacted, for the purpose of securing life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness of the people; and

BE IF FURTHER RESOLVED that the Republican Party of St. Croix County reminds our legislators and courts that they are not kings with divine authority to end life, and condemns any action taken that exceeds the authorities delegated them by the Constitution; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Republican Party of St. Croix County reminds legislators that in order for government to legalize abortion, euthanasia, the death penalty, or any other methods to end life, such as war, that the authority must be specifically delegated to government by the constitution, and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Republican Party of St. Croix County calls on legislators to promptly impeach any court that rules to end life in any manner not delineated by state or federal constitutions.

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RETURN TO ELECTION DAY ONLY VOTING AND PAPER BALLOTS

WHEREAS, the State of Wisconsin elections have been undermined and abused, and

WHEREAS, extended voting periods create more opportunities for election fraud, now

WHEREAS recent elections have cast doubt on accuracy with the use of electronic vote tabulation;

WHEREAS, many voters no longer trust the election results tabulated electronically;

WHEREAS, manually counted paper ballots have been used for decades without voters distrusting the results; and

WHEREAS, observers can easily observe the counting of paper ballots ensuring the accuracy of the tabulations; 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Wisconsin shall be returned to Election Day only voting.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that absentee ballots shall only be provided upon personal request by legally eligible citizen voters verified by government issued photo ID and proof of residency.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this day, in caucus assembled, the Republican Party of St. Croix County demands that future elections in Wisconsin be conducted exclusively with hand tabulated paper ballots, tabulated by not less than three election workers, and all ballots be secured and guarded by certified law enforcement with a chain of custody log for a legislatively required preservation period.

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OFFICIALLY OPPOSE RANKED-CHOICE VOTING IN WISCONSIN

WHEREAS, the mission of the Republican Party is to act as the party of liberty, the party of equality, the party of opportunity for all, the party of favoritism for none and to encourage and allow the broadest possible participation of all voters in Republican Party activities at all levels and to ensure that the Republican Party is open and accessible to all Americans;

WHEREAS, America has operated on a well-understood and relatively uniform election system that has been implemented over two hundred years to support our constitutional republic; WHEREAS, the political parties in America have created the world’s largest representative forums for debate amongst thousands of factions of American citizens all across the nation; WHEREAS, traditional American primary and general elections ensure that voters who support one candidate, not a plurality of candidates, are heard clearly while ranked choice voting schemes open elections to ‘ballot exhaustion’ or the disenfranchisement of voters who choose not to support multiple candidates who do not clearly represent their values;

WHEREAS, the grassroots activists of the Republican Party have made it abundantly clear that they do not trust new election procedures, outcomes, and further complications of modern systems that sow additional distrust in elections and we need to keep voting simple and secure; WHEREAS, educating voters on the confusing processes that vary by state has cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars for educational efforts that have provided ineffective results; WHEREAS, states and communities where ranked-choice voting has been tested have consistently decreased voter participation in those communities and in many cases the elections have resulted in more discarded votes than counted votes; 

WHEREAS, ranked-choice voting often results in additional tabulation delays resulting in days or weeks of additional counting while depending exclusively on technology without traceable ballots to support determined winners; and 

WHEREAS, supporters of ranked-choice voting seek to eliminate or disempower party primaries;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Republican Party of Wisconsin rejects ranked-choice voting and similar schemes that increase election distrust, and voter suppression and

disenfranchisement, eliminate the historic political party system, and put elections in the hands of expensive election schemes that cost taxpayers and depend exclusively on confusing technology and unelected bureaucrats to manage it; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Republican Party of Wisconsin calls on its Congressional delegation, state legislators, and voters to oppose ranked-choice voting in every locality and level of government and return elections to easier systems that have worked for centuries for fair and transparent elections.

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SUPPORTING WISCONSIN SENATE BILL 916

RELATED TO REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT

WHEREAS, the Refugee Act of 1980, located at Title VI, Chapter 2 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, created The Federal Refugee Resettlement Program to provide for the effective resettlement of refugees; and 

WHEREAS, the Refugee Act of 1980 states in 8 U.S.C. § 1522(a)(1)(B)(iii) that, “local voluntary agency activities should be conducted in close cooperation and advance consultation with State and local governments;” and 

WHEREAS, the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors are concerned with the lack of transparency and communication by voluntary agencies, specifically World Relief of Chippewa Valley, regarding anticipated resettlement of refugees within a 100-mile radius of the City of Eau Claire; and 

WHEREAS, in January 2024, Wisconsin Senate Bill 916 (SB916) and Assembly Bill 1004 (AB1004) were introduced requiring local governments to designate an individual for consultation, and for other purposes relating to proper notice for local government entities related to the federal program regarding refugee resettlement and assistance; and 

WHEREAS, if passed, a statute would be created requiring an employee or officer of a local government unit, including a city, village, town, county, or school district, to report to the chief elected official (i.e. County Board Chair) if the employee or officer is contacted by the federal government or a private nonprofit voluntary agency regarding proposed placements of refugees in the local governmental unit; and 

WHEREAS, the proposed statute further requires that the chief elected official notify each local governmental unit within a 100-mile radius about the potential refugee resettlement and the local governing body must schedule an open meeting to discuss the potential refugee resettlement and designate a representative from the local governmental unit to consult with the federal government and private nonprofit voluntary agency; and

WHEREAS, SB916 was passed by both the Senate and the Assembly in mid-February 2024, and is pending before Governor Tony Evers. 

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Republican Party of St. Croix County hereby supports the adoption of SB916 to ensure that counties are provided with notice and consultation related to refugee resettlement.

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SUPPORTING THE “CARE ACT” RELATED TO

IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT

WHEREAS, Congressman Tom Tiffany represents the 7th District of Wisconsin in the House of Representatives, which includes St. Croix County; and 

WHEREAS, the Refugee Act of 1980, located at Title VI, Chapter 2 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, created The Federal Refugee Resettlement Program to provide for the effective resettlement of refugees; and 

WHEREAS, recently Congressman Tiffany proposed the Community Assent for Refugee Entry Act, or the “CARE Act,” requesting an amendment to Section 412 of the Immigration and Nationality Act located at 8 U.S.C. § 1522, which reads as follows: 

“(g) Limitation on Resettlement – Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, for a fiscal year, the resettlement of any refugee may not be provided for – 

(1) in any State where the Governor of that State, or the State Legislature, has taken any action formally disapproving of resettlement in that State: or 

(2) in any locality where the chief executive of that locality’s government, or the local legislature, has taken any action formally disapproving of resettlement in that locality.”; and WHEREAS, The Republican Party of St. Croix County recommends adoption of the CARE Act to allow local government units to provide input on resettlement of refugees within the county. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Republican Party of St. Croix County hereby supports the adoption of the CARE Act to provide a mechanism for state and local government units to formally review the resettlement of refugees within their jurisdiction.

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IMMEDIATE PAUSE ON REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT IN ST. CROIX COUNTY

WHEREAS, The Refugee Act of 1980, located at Title VI, Chapter 2 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, created The Federal Refugee Resettlement Program to provide for the effective resettlement of refugees; and 

WHEREAS, voluntary agencies, referred to as VOLAGs, in Wisconsin that contract with state and/or federal governments to assist refugees with resettlement include World Relief Wisconsin with locations in the Fox Valley and the Chippewa Valley; and with an office located at 221 W. Madison Street in Eau Claire, Wisconsin; and 

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of State requires that refugees be resettled within 100 miles of a voluntary agency’s physical office location including St. Croix County; and

WHEREAS, approximately 75 refugees are planned to be resettled in the Chippewa Valley by September 30, 2024; and

WHEREAS, the resettlement of refugees in the United States requires significant financial resources including but not limited to, housing, healthcare, education, employment assistance, language training, and social services; and 

WHEREAS, St. Croix County is already stretched to its levy capacity without the ability to adequately fund state-mandated programs; and 

WHEREAS, there has been a lack of transparency and communication by World Relief Chippewa Valley regarding the anticipated resettlement; and 

WHEREAS, it is imperative to inform the public of the resettlement of refugees, and for necessary studies to be conducted to ascertain the impact on the local communities.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Republican Party of St. Croix County that there be an immediate pause on the placement of any refugees within St. Croix County, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Republican Party of St. Croix County that prior to the resettlement of refugees within St. Croix County, that all federal, state, local, or voluntary agencies involved with resettlement engage in collaboration and consultation with local government units within the county to inform the public of the resettlement, that adequate time be allocated to conduct studies necessary to ascertain the impact on local communities, and that the county be provided with a detailed description of the short and long-term funding resources available to the refugees.

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SUPPORTING IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS OF MEAGAN WOLFE

WHEREAS, the Republican Party St. Croix County stands firmly behind the Lawful and Constitutional efforts of both the Wisconsin Senate and Assembly working together on Impeachment Proceedings to remove Meagan Wolfe as the WEC (Wisconsin Elections Commission) Administrator for maladministration and violations of election laws.

WHEREAS, after the expiration of Wolfe’s term on July 1st, 2023, she unlawfully remains as WEC Administrator even after being removed from office by the Wisconsin Senate on September 14th, 2023. 

WHEREAS, a formal written request to pursue statutory removal proceedings was sent by the Republican Senate President to the Republican Assembly Speaker in a letter on October 4th, 2023, and 2023 Assembly Resolution 18 relating to the Impeachment of Meagan Wolfe, has now been introduced by Republicans on November 2nd, 2023, citing allegations of maladministration in office and potential violations of election laws. 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED  that as a necessary step toward restoring safe and secure elections in our state through proper administration of our voting laws, the Republican Party St. Croix County strongly encourages urgent action by all responsible parties to pass 2023 Assembly Resolution 18.

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RECOMMENDING NO ENDORSEMENT POLICY

WHEREAS, We, the People, as representatives of the Republic Party of Wisconsin, proudly stand for the Constitution of the United States of America and the State of Wisconsin. We, the People, believe in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, equal rights, equal opportunity, and equal justice for all; and 

WHEREAS, to preserve these rights, “We, the People,” invoke our right to choose our representatives at every level from nomination to endorsement to primary election and general election; and 

WHEREAS, any endorsement by the Republican Party of Wisconsin is perceived as Statewide support of a candidate(s) chosen by a select group thus giving an unfair advantage to said candidate(s) thus causing division and conflict when the Party seeks unification; and THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that We, the People, through the primary election process of Partisan Offices, shall choose candidates to represent us without political pressure from any Republican Party, thus giving all candidates equal advantage; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Republican Party of Wisconsin Executive Committee and the State caucus adopt a “no endorsement” policy and withhold any, and all, public endorsement of any candidate until the results of the primary election.