Wisconsin

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State of Wisconsin Voting & Elections

Election Day is November 5

  • October 16                  Deadline for online and mail-in voter registration
  • October 22                  First day of in-person absentee (early) voting
  • October 31                  Deadline to request absentee ballot
  • November 1                Deadline for in-person voter registration
  • November 3               Last day of in-person absentee (early) voting at the municipal clerk’s office
  • November 5                Election Day (same day registration is available at the polls)

 

To register to vote in Wisconsin, you must be:

  • At least 18 years old on or before Election Day
  • A U.S. citizen
  • Reside at your current address for at least 28 days prior to the election
  • Are not currently serving a sentence for a felony conviction, including incarceration, parole, probation, or extended supervision.
  • You cannot vote if a judge has specifically determined you to be incompetent to vote.

 

How to register to vote:

Online: You can register to vote online up to 20 days before the election. If you have a valid State of Wisconsin Driver License or State of Wisconsin ID card issued by the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) you can register to vote online at MyVote.

By mail: Up to 20 days before the election. Registration forms should be mailed to your municipal clerk. You can start your voter registration form online at myvote.wi.gov. Your form must be printed, signed, and mailed or delivered, to your municipal clerk. If you are registering by mail, you can use any of the forms of Proof of residence except a residential lease.

In the municipal clerk’s office: You may register in-person in your municipal clerk’s office up until the Friday before the election at 5:00 p.m. or close of business, whichever is later.

At the polling place on Election Day: You may register at the polls on Election Day.

You must always provide a Proof of Residence document when registering to vote.

 

Voter ID Requirements

You will need to show an original copy of an acceptable photo ID to vote in-person. You will also be required to provide a photocopy of your ID to cast an absentee ballot by mail, with certain exceptions for military and permanent overseas voters and permanent absentee voters.

These are acceptable for voting purposes, and can be unexpired or expired after the date of the most recent general election:

  • A Wisconsin DOT-issued driver license, even if driving privileges are revoked or suspended, and with or without a star in the right-hand corner.
  • A Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card, with or without a star in the right-hand corner
  • Military ID card issued by a U.S. uniformed service
  • A U.S. passport
  • An identification card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in Wisconsin (May be used even if expired before the most recent general election.)
  • A photo identification card 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. (May be used even if expired before the most recent general election.)
    • If the university or college ID is expired, the student ID must be accompanied by a separate document that proves current enrollment.

These photo IDs are also acceptable for voting purposes, but must be unexpired:

  • A veteran’s photo identification card issued by the Veterans Health Administration of the federal Department of Veterans Affairs
  • A certificate of naturalization that was issued not earlier than two years before the date of an election at which it is presented
  • A driving receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT (valid for 45 days)
  • An identification card receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT (valid for 45 days)

You can get a free state ID card from the Division of Motor Vehicles if you do not already have a Wisconsin driver license.

Visit VoteRiders for more information on voter ID requirements in Wisconsin.

 

Absentee Voting

All registered voters are eligible to vote absentee. You can request an absentee ballot on myvote.wi.gov or make a request to your municipal clerk in writing or electronically using the Application for Absentee Ballot or statement containing all the information required on the form. 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.

Absentee ballots must arrive by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted. The ballot can either be returned by mail, dropped off at your clerk’s office, or taken to your polling place or absentee counting location on Election Day.

 

In-Person Early Voting

Voters can vote at your municipal clerk’s office before Election Day starting 14 days before the election and ending the Sunday before Election Day.

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.

 

Resources

 

Tribes in Wisconsin

Federally recognized tribes

  • Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin
  • Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin
  • Stockbridge Munsee Community
  • Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin
  • Sokaogon Chippewa Community
  • Oneida Nation
  • Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin
  • Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin
  • Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of the Lac du Flambeau Reservation of Wisconsin
  • Forest County Potawatomi Community
  • Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians of the Bad River Reservation

State recognized tribes

  • None

 

Native Vote Coordinator(s):

Sign up to be a local Native Vote Coordinator, today!

 

Major Party Contact Information

Democrat
Chair, Ben Wikler
www.wisdems.org

American Indian Caucus
Chair, Arvina Martin

 

Republican
Chair, Brian Schimming
www.wisgop.org

Posted in States.