Hello District 8!

posted 

This post was adapted from a district-wide mailer I sent out in fall 2026. 
Translations will be available shortly. 
Pronto estará disponible una traducción completa.
完整译文很快将在此提供。

About Me 

My life on council and as a student are not separate. I was elected to the Madison Common Council (City Council) in April! I am a junior studying sociology and economics at UW-Madison. My council priorities are affordable, quality housing, transportation, and empowering students to influence this city.

This year on campus, I've been working on voter accessibility, sexual assault awareness, and connecting with student groups. I'm setting up “office hours" to be more available, but I'd also love to come to your meetings!

Me (left) and Ald. Noah Lieberman smiling at our inauguration
Image credit: Dylan Brogdan
A wide angle selfie of me riding a bike with a green bandana and sunglasses.

I'm here for you. Reach out.

Email: district8@cityofmadison.com

Text or call: (608) 620 4664

Instagram: @EllenforDistrict8

Commissions & Committees

  • Common Council Executive Committee - Recommendations for committee rules & determining focus areas for Council
  • Joint Campus Area Committee - Coordinating infrastructure & building planning with UW Madison
  • Madison Arts Commission - Public art! Murals, poet laureate, art in the park, sculptures
  • Metropolitan Planning Organization - Regional transportation planning & approval
  • Business And Economic Resources - Promoting small businesses & equitable economic conditions for everyone 
  • Madison's Central Business Improvement District Board (Non-voting) - Downtown businesses & nonprofit coordinating

 

Reporting Home Issues

First, contact your landlord for necessary repairs. If the repairs aren't completed in a timely manner, the City can help! If it's a persistent hazard, you may be eligible for reduced rent payments.

To report a concern to Building Inspection, call 608.266.4551 during business hours or visit https://www.cityofmadison.com/reportaproblem/ 

Your landlord cannot retaliate if you report concerns to the city.

Living spaces must be at least 67°. A space heater is only an OK solution for 72 hours. If your home is too cold and lows are in the 40s, call emergency maintenance immediately. 

Next Year’s Lease

When signing your lease, try negotiating. I was just able to negotiate my rent way down, saving me about 1600 over a year! Certain fees, move-in dates, security deposit, and monthly rent may all be more flexible than you think.

It's okay to wait! The later you sign your lease (like winter), the more rents drop, deals show up, and leverage you have to negotiate.

A lease is a contract and if you haven't received the goods yet, you're allowed to break your lease before you move in. You aren't obligated to find a replacement, even if management says otherwise.

Registering to Vote

Where to Register:

In-Person

  • Any Early Voting Location Oct 20-Oct 31 NOTE Early Voting has Passed
  • At your polling place on Election Day (find it on www.MyVote.wi.gov)

What to bring:

  • Proof of address document. Can be digital. Examples: your lease, utility bill, or a copy of your UW-Madison voter verification letter (go.wisc.edu/verify), proof of current enrollment.
  • Out of state students can register & vote in WI.

However, when you go to vote you need to show a valid voting ID (you cannot use an out of state license). See options below!

Voting

You can vote at any campus In-Person Absentee Voting location Oct 20-Oct 31: NOTE Early Voting has Passed

  • Memorial Union
  • Union South
  • School of Human Ecology
  • School of Nursing

Or vote at your assigned polling place on Election Day.

What to bring:

  • Voting ID, like a WI drivers license, passport, tribal ID. Out-of-state students can get UW Voting IDs at Union South (not the same as a WisCard, which is not valid). Your polling place will have ID printers on election day.

Additional Resources

For building or sidewalk accessibility concerns, or housing/employment discrimination, contact the Department of Civil Rights for next steps.

You may be eligible for up to $30 off your utility bill! Check out the Madison Customer Assistance Program (MadCAP)

If you need help figuring out how to dispose of *anything*, the Madison Recyclopedia tells you what's recyclable or where to drop it off.

Tags:

Was this page helpful to you? * required