Voting

Polling Places

Voter Registration

Anyone wishing to vote in the state of Wisconsin, where they are required to register, has three options to register:

1. Register at the Polling Place on Election Day

Election day registration is allowed at the polls. The elector (voter) must provide proof-of-residence giving his or her complete name and address. Acceptable forms of proof-of-residence include:

Wisconsin driver’s license
Wisconsin ID card
Any other official ID card or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body
Any ID card issued by an employer in the normal course of business (but not a business card)
A real estate tax bill or receipt for the current year or the year preceding the date of the election
A residential lease which is effective for a period that includes election day (NOT for first-time registering by mail)
A university, college or technical institute fee card (must include photo)
A university, college or technical institute ID card (must include photo)
A utility bill for the period commencing not earlier than 90 days before election day
Bank statement
Paycheck
A check or other document issued by a unit of government.

If the person registering on election day has a valid Wisconsin driver’s license, he or she must provide the number to the registration deputy. If the person registering does not have the driver’s license number with him/her, or refuses to provide the number, the person may vote a provisional ballot. The person must then provide the number to the municipal clerk by 4:00 the next afternoon in order for his/her vote to be counted. If the person does not have a valid Wisconsin driver’s license, he or she may provide the last 4 digits of his/her social security number or his/her Wisconsin ID card number, and he/she will be permitted to vote

2. Register by Mail

Any elector (voter) may register before the close of registration (3rd Wednesday prior to the election) for any election as follows:

The elector shall obtain the necessary blank registration form and instructions from their municipal clerk or download them from here: http://elections.state.wi.us.
The elector shall certify that all statements are true and correct.
The elector shall include a copy of their proof-of-residence (as defined in the list above for persons registering on election day).
The elector shall return the registration form and proof-of-residence to their municipal clerk prior to the close of registration (3rd Wednesday prior to the election).

3. Register at the Municipal Clerk's Office

Voter registration closes at 5:00 p.m. on the 3rd Wednesday preceding an election in order for the person’s name to be included on the voter registration list.

Some municipalities may provide other locations to accomplish registration (please check with your municipal clerk for locations). Late registrations may be accepted in the office of the municipal clerk, who shall issue a certificate addressed to the election inspectors stating that the elector shall be allowed to vote.

Vote by Mail

NOTE: If you are not already registered, you first need to register to vote (see above).

Absentee voting in the City of Madison:
http://www.ci.madison.wi.us/clerk/absenVot.html

Absentee voting in general:
Any qualified elector (voter) who is unable or unwilling to appear at the polling place on election day may request to vote an absentee ballot. A qualified elector is any U.S. citizen, who will be 18 years of age or older on election day, who has resided in the ward or municipality where he or she wishes to vote for at least 10 days before the election. If voter registration is required, the elector must also be registered.

You must make a request in writing to obtain an absentee ballot.

Contact your municipal clerk and request that an application for an absentee ballot be sent to you for the primary or election or both. You may also request an absentee ballot by letter. Your written request must list your voting address within the municipality where you wish to vote, the address where the absentee ballot should be sent, if different, and your signature.

Special absentee voting application provisions apply to electors who are indefinitely confined at home or a care facility, in the military, hospitalized, or serving as a sequestered juror. If this applies to you, contact your municipal clerk.

You can also personally go to the clerk’s office, complete a written application, and vote an absentee ballot.

The deadline for making application to vote absentee by mail is 5:00 p.m. on Friday preceding the election.

The deadline for voting an absentee ballot in the clerk’s office is 5:00 p.m. on Monday preceding the election.

All voted ballots must be returned to the municipal clerk so the clerk can deliver them to the proper polling place before the polls close on election day.

Any ballots received after the polls close will not be counted.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact your municipal clerk or the State Elections Board. The Elections Board can be reached at:

elections.state.wi.us

Wisconsin State Elections Board
132 East Wilson Street, Suite 200
P.O. Box 2973
Madison, WI 53701-2973
Phone: (608) 266-8005
Fax: (608) 267-0500
E-mail seb@seb.state.wi.us

Office Hours: Monday through Friday 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM.