Wisconsin

Upcoming Elections

2024-03-13 – Registration Deadline (Postmarked by)

Postmarked by Wed Mar 13, 2024

2024-03-13 – Registration Deadline (Online by)

Online by Wed Mar 13, 2024 11:59PM

2024-03-19 – In Person Absentee Ballot Voting

From Tue Mar 19, 2024 to Sat Mar 30, 2024

2024-03-28 – Ballot Request Deadline (Received by)

Received by Thu Mar 28, 2024 5:00PM CDT

2024-03-29 – Registration Deadline (In-Person Request by)

In-Person Request by Fri Mar 29, 2024 5:00PM CDT

2024-04-02 – Ballot Return Deadline (Received by)

Received by Tue Apr 2, 2024 8:00PM CDT

2024-04-02 – Registration Deadline (Election Day Registration & Voting)

Election Day Registration & Voting Tue Apr 2, 2024 8:00PM CDT

Last Updated: September 2022

Voting in Wisconsin

When You Can Vote

Election Day:

Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. local time on Election Day, but you can still vote after 8:00 pm as long as you are in line before polls close.

Each city, village and town in Wisconsin is responsible for setting the dates and hours of in-person absentee voting (early voting) for their municipality.  To find the dates and hours for in-person absentee voting where you live, contact your Municipal Clerk or see below.

Have questions or need more information? Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683)!

Where You Can Vote

All Voters voting in person on Election Day must vote at their assigned polling place. See absentee and early voting below.

Please ensure all voters check with their local clerk to determine their polling location: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/Find-My-Polling-Place.

Have questions or need more information? Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683)!

Registering to Vote

Registration Deadlines

  • For registration deadlines, see How to Register below.

How to Check Your Registration: Voters can determine whether they are registered to vote at the following link: Am I Registered?.

You are eligible to vote in Wisconsin if you:

  • Are a U.S. citizen
  • Are a resident of Wisconsin
  • Live in the precinct where you vote for at least 28 days prior to the election
  • are 17 years of age and will be 18 by the next election

You are NOT eligible to vote in Wisconsin if:

  • You are currently serving a sentence including incarceration, parole, probation, or extended supervision for a felony conviction
  • You have placed a bet or wager on the outcome of the election
  • You were disqualified from voting due to a court order

Restorative Requirements

  • If you have completed a felony sentence, including any term of incarceration, parole, supervision, period of probation, or you have been pardoned, then you are immediately eligible to register to vote

You are able to pre-register:

  • are 17 years of age and will be 18 by the next election

How to register 

  • City of Milwaukee General Election
    • Apply Online: Online by Wed Mar 13, 2024 11:59PM
    • Submit a Printed Application: Postmarked by Wed Mar 13, 2024
    • In-Person Request by Fri Mar 29, 2024 5:00PM CDT
    • In Person: Election Day Registration & Voting Tue Apr 2, 2024 8:00PM CDT

Voting Registration Methods & Deadlines

Verifying Voter Registration

Who is eligible to Vote?

To be eligible to vote an individual must be:

  • A U.S. citizen
  • 18 years or older on Election Day
  • A resident of Wisconsin at least 28 days before the election
  • Registered to vote or are registering on Election Day

Who is NOT eligible?

An individual is ineligible to vote in Wisconsin if such person:

  • Has already voted in the election
  • Is currently serving any portion of a felony sentence, including probation or supervision
  • Has been ruled incapable of voting by a judge
  • Has made or become interested, directly or indirectly, in any bet or wager depending upon the result of the election

Residency Requirement

Wisconsin requires 28 days to establish residency at a new address. Temporary absence does not affect residency. Time spent away from your residence still counts toward the 28 day residency requirement as long as you intend to return. When registering, you must present Proof of Residence (See link below).

The following link relates to the manners in which an individual can proof their residency: https://elections.wi.gov/resources/brochures/proof-residence-voter-registration 

Have questions or need more information? Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683)!

Voting Early & by Absentee Ballot

If You Want to Vote Absentee, requests may be made:

  • In-Person
  • By Mail
  • By Fax
  • By Email
  • Online

Absentee Ballots may be returned:

  • In-Person
  • By Mail
City of Milwaukee General Election

Ballot Request:

  • Received by Thu Mar 28, 2024 5:00PM CDT

Ballot Return:

  • Received by Tue Apr 2, 2024 8:00PM CDT

Early Voting

Early voting is available in the form of in-person absentee voting. Each city, village and town is responsible for setting the dates and hours of in-person absentee voting for their municipality, though it can begin no earlier than 14 days before the election and ends no later than the Sunday before the election.

Your in-person absentee voting locations are based on where you live and what your municipal clerk’s office offers. Enter your street address and city at the following link to find out more:  https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/Vote-Absentee-In-Person

Absentee Ballots 

Who can request and receive an absentee ballot? A qualified elector (see above on Who is eligible to vote?) may vote by mail using an absentee ballot. 

Deadlines for Making an Absentee Ballot Request

In-person at the clerk’s office: The last possible day for a clerk to conduct in-person absentee voting is the Sunday before the election.  Each municipal clerk’s office sets its own schedule for in-person absentee voting. 

*Note: A person cannot request an absentee ballot in person and leave the clerk’s office with the ballot. The ballot is either voted in the clerk’s office, or the clerk must mail the ballot to the elector.*

Online and by mail: The request must be in the office of the municipal clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on the 5th day preceding an election.

How to request an absentee ballot?

You can request an absentee ballot on myvote.wi.gov or make a request to your municipal clerk in person, in writing, or electronically using the Application for Absentee Ballot (EL-121). You can also write a letter requesting an absentee ballot which provides the information required on the application form. Military and Overseas electors may also use the Federal Postcard Application (FPCA), which is a combination registration form and absentee ballot request

To request an absentee ballot, first you need to see if you are registered to vote. If you are not registered or your name or address has changed, you will need to register or update your registration before requesting an absentee ballot. If you are in the military, you do not need to be registered to get an absentee ballot, but first we need you to search for your record.

Search for voter records using the following link:
https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/Vote-Absentee-By-Mail

When will you receive your absentee ballot?
An absentee ballot must be sent by the following dates to any voter with an absentee application on file. It must be sent 47 days before a federal election or 21 days before a primary or other election. (Wis. Stat. § 7.15(1))(cm).
When a request for an absentee ballot is made by mail, the absentee ballot must be mailed to the elector within one day of the request.
Voters requesting an absentee ballot in person must cast the ballot in the clerk’s office. Voters cannot take the absentee ballot out of the clerk’s office.
Only military, permanent overseas, or temporary overseas voters can request an absentee ballot to be sent to them by fax or email.

Check what is on your ballot through the following link:
https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/Whats-On-My-Ballot

All absentee ballots must be delivered by 8pm on election day to your municipal clerk’s office to be counted. USPS recommends people mail their ballot one week before election day to ensure it arrives on time. You may also hand deliver your absentee ballots to your municipal clerk’s office. 

Your Municipal Clerk’s office can be found using the following link:

https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/My-Municipal-Clerk

Have questions or need more information? Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683)!

Identification Requirements

Voter Registration

To register to vote in Wisconsin, you should provide a current and valid proof of residence including:

  • Your Wisconsin Driver’s License or State non-driver ID Number

If you do not have these IDs, you may provide other proof of residence that has your name and current address such as:

  • Valid Student ID accompanied by tuition receipt
  • Valid Student ID accompanied by on-campus housing listing that denotes US Citizenship
  • Property Tax Bill or Receipt dated within the current year or within a year prior to the election date
  • Utility Bill not older than 90 days
  • Letter from a homeless organization verifying your residence location for purposes of voter registration
  • Lease (exception: not valid for registration by mail)
  • Valid Employee ID with photo
  • Government Issued Document that shows your current name and address
  • Valid Wisconsin issued ID
  • Valid Wisconsin Driver’s License except one issued to an individual that is not a United States citizen
  • Bank Statement, Paycheck or Government Check
  • Verification that you are a Resident of a Group Residential Facility
  • Official Notice from the Social Security Administration identifying your Social Security Number
  • Public Assistance ID
  • Medicare or Medicaid Card issued by the government
  • Hunting or Fishing ID
  • Valid Tribal ID
  • Proof of Wisconsin student loan and college tuition
  • Valid Wisconsin Vehicle Registration

Contact your municipal clerk if you are unsure whether your proof of residence fits requirements https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/My-Municipal-Clerk

Voting In-Person

In Wisconsin, you need to show id to vote. The following photo ids can be used even if they expired after the most recent general election (Nov., 3, 2020):

  • Valid Wisconsin Driver’s License
  • Valid US Passport
  • Valid ID Issued by the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles, Transportation, Highway Safety, etc.
  • Valid Tribal ID
  • Valid Military ID
  • Valid Student ID

Student IDs must be issued by a Wisconsin accredited university or college that contains date of issuance, signature of student, and an expiration date no later than two years after date of issuance. If expired, the student ID must be accompanied by a separate document that proves current enrollment.

If you do not have an ID from the above list, you must show an unexpired photo id from this list:

  • Veteran’s ID
  • ID Issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
  • Driving Receipt Issued by DOT not more than 45 Days before Election
  • Certificate of Naturalization Dated no earlier than two years prior to the Date of the Election

You may use an ID card receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT (valid for 45 days) or a temporary ID card from the Identification Petition Process (valid for 60 days). If you need help getting ID, go to www.voteriders.org.

All voters must include a copy of proof of identification with the request. The identification must (1) conform to the voter’s name on the voter registration list and (2) contain a photograph that reasonably resembles the voter.

Voters can get a free state ID card at the Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles website (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/license-drvs/how-to-apply/id-card.aspx

Certain IDs can be expired but subject to the below dates:

  • A Wisconsin driver license or identification card that is unexpired, or that expired after the date of the most recent general election (November 3, 2020).  Voters may also use a Wisconsin driver license or identification card without a photo issued under the religious exemption.
  • An ID issued by a U.S. uniformed service that is unexpired, or that expired after November 3, 2020.
  • A U.S. passport that is unexpired, or that expired after November 3, 2020.
  • A certificate of naturalization that was issued within two years of the election (after August 9, 2020).
  • An identification card issued by a federally-recognized Native American tribe in Wisconsin (regardless of expiration date).
  • An ID issued by a Wisconsin accredited university or college that contains date of issuance, signature of student, and an expiration date no later than two years after date of issuance.
  • If the ID expired before August 9, 2022, the ID must be accompanied by a separate document that proves current enrollment.

Voters who have previously voted absentee and provided proof of identification with that ballot do not need to include a copy of identification.

A registered voter who is unable or unwilling to provide proof of identification may be given a provisional ballot.  The provisional ballot will not count unless the voter (a) provides proof of identification (voter photo ID) to poll workers prior to 8:00 pm on Election Day or (b) provides proof of identification (voter photo ID) to the municipal clerk’s office prior to 4:00 pm on August 12, 2022.

Have questions or need more information? Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683)!

If You Have Moved Within Your State

If you have moved to a new address then you will need to update your voter record by submitting a new voter registration.

Wisconsin law requires that you live at your current address for 28 consecutive days to be eligible to vote from your new address. 

If you have lived at your new address for less than 28 consecutive days before the election you are still eligible to vote from your former address. 

If you have moved to Wisconsin less than 28 consecutive days before an election you may be eligible to cast a Presidential-only ballot. 

Have questions or need more information? Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683)!

If You are in the Military or are an Overseas Voter

Voting Military

Service members and their dependents may register and request a ballot using the federal voter registration/ballot request form (“FPCA”). You will have the following identification options when completing the form:

  • U.S. State or Territory or District Issued ID
  • Option to Indicate that you do not have the Requested ID
  • Last 4 Digits of your Social Security Number
  • Your Wisconsin Driver’s License Number

Your state does not require an ID to be provided in order to register your ballot.

Voting Overseas

U.S. citizens living overseas may register and request a ballot using the overseas voter registration/ballot request form. You will have the following identification options when completing the form:

  • U.S. State or Territory or District Issued ID
  • Option to Indicate that you do not have the Requested ID
  • Last 4 Digits of your Social Security Number
  • Your Wisconsin Driver’s License Number

Your state does not require an ID to be provided in order to register your ballot.

Military voters are exempt from voter registration requirements, but they still need to provide information similar to that required for registration.

  • Online at https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/Vote-Absentee-By-Mail
  • Military voters may request a regular absentee ballot through 5:00 pm on Friday, November 4, 2022. For elections containing a national office on the ballot, military voters who miss the deadline to request a regular absentee ballot may submit a request to their municipal clerk to vote absentee until 5:00 pm on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8, 2022, and use a federal write-in absentee ballot.

Overseas voters must comply with registration deadlines.

  • Requests for absentee ballots may be made using one of the methods described below or by submitting an FCPA. The request must be received by 5:00 pm on Friday, November 4, 2022. If the voter requests an absentee ballot by the deadline but does not receive it in time to vote, the voter may submit a federal write-in absentee ballot. The regular absentee ballot or federal write-in absentee ballot must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday November 8, 2022.

Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) is used as both an absentee application and a registration form

If the voter requests an absentee ballot by the deadline but does not receive it in time to vote, the voter may submit a federal write-in absentee ballot.

Cheatsheet: https://elections.wi.gov/resources/quick-reference-topics/military-overseas-cheat-sheet-clerks 

Have questions or need more information? Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683)!

If You Have A Felony Conviction

The Wisconsin statutes disqualify from voting any person convicted of treason, a felony, or bribery. 

A person is ineligible to vote until he or she is pardoned for the crime or until he or she completes his or her sentence including any term of imprisonment, extended supervision, parole, or probation for the crime that led to the disqualification.

Under Wisconsin law, when a felon is pardoned or completes his or her sentence, the right to vote is automatically restored without requiring a separate hearing or procedure. Once eligible, you have to register to vote. Even if you were registered before you were convicted of a felony, you have to register again.

Have questions or need more information? Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683)!

Questions about voting in Wisconsin?

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