Wisconsin

   

What You Need to Know to Vote in Wisconsin

If you have issues where you are being given problems that make it hard for you to vote, have questions, or need help with voting, you can call the Wisconsin Voter Assistance Hotline. That number is: 608-336-3232. However, this line is swamped, so please call it only if you cannot find the answer here. Also, please have this number saved in your phone because you never know when you may need it! They are available from 9-5 every day. If you need to call after hours, leave a message--they will return your call by the next day. Thanks!

 

 

Voting & Voter Registration

  • Am I Registered to Vote?  You can check your voter registration status here: Check My Wisconsin Voter Registration.
  • Does Wisconsin Have Same-Day Registration? Yes! You can register at any early voting location or at the DOT/DMV office (the place where you get your license.
  • Can I Register to Vote on Election Day? Yes! However, we recommend that you register as soon as possible. Y
  • Do I Need an ID or IDs to Register? Yes. You will need TWO forms of ID to register--one that will prove your identity, and one that proves your residence. We have a list of approved IDs below.
  • What Are the Deadlines to Register? If you are planning to do it online, the deadline is October 14, 2020
  • Am I Eligible to Vote/Register? In most cases, if you are 18 (or will be by November 3, 2020), a US Citizen, and a Wisconsin resident at least 28 days before the date of the election. Below, you will see what may disqualify Wisconsonites from voting.
  • How Can I Get a Free ID if I Need One to Vote? You can Get A Free Wisconsin Voting ID here.
  • What Could Disqualify Me From Being Able to Vote? There are 4 things that can disqualify you: (1). Having a conviction of treason or bribery, (2). having betted or placed a wager on an election, (3). Being declared as having "mental incapacity" (this MUST be decided by a judge specifically. Just because you are under guardianship does not mean you can't vote--you can), or (4). Being convicted of a felony and not having completed your sentence. See below for more information.
  • Can I Vote if I Was Convicted of a Crime? Yes, in many cases. The exceptions are that you cannot vote if you were convicted of bribery, treason, or betting on an election, OR if you are still serving a sentence for a felony. If you have committed a felony but have completed all the terms of your sentence, you CAN vote!
  • Can I Vote if I'm Not Yet 18 Years-Old? Yes, as long as you will be 18 by Election Day. 
  • How Does Wisconsin Decide if I'm a Resident? Residency is based on your intent to live in Wisconsin, and you must have lived in Wisconsin 28 days before Election Day. If you have moved recently, your residency will be decided based on things listed below (see the voting in person section).
  • Can I Vote if I'm Homeless? Yes! In fact, a letter from a social services agency stating that you are homeless, live in Wisconsin, and the name of the municipality/precinct, will be fine to make sure you get to register/vote. But it's even easier than this! Please see our blog about How to Vote if You're Homeless--you absolutely have this right!
  • Can I Register Someone Else to Vote? No. The voter must register for themselves. There may be people who can help you register, but no one can do it for you.
  • What if I Need to Update My Name or Address? No problem! Go here: Update or Change Name or Address to Vote in Wisconsin.

 

Absentee (Vote By Mail) Ballots

  • How Do I Apply for an Absentee (Vote By Mail) Ballot? You can also apply by mail or email, but you CANNOT request an absentee ballot by phone. Here are the ways to apply for an absentee ballot:
    1. Online:  Voters who are already registered can apply for an absentee ballot online and request it here: Request Wisconsin Absentee Ballot.
    2. Mail: Send a request in writing to your municipal clerk. If you do this, you do this, we highly recommend using the request form that is available above.
    3. Email: Email info can be found on this website. We don’t really recommend this—we push people to use MyVote first if possible.

    ***For mail & email requests: There is a request form on this website. If you can download the request form, do that. If not, put your request in writing & include your name, registered voting address, the address where the ballot should be mailed, and copy of your photo ID (if you have not voted absentee before).

  • Do I Need An ID to Get an Absentee Ballot? Yes, but you just need something that will establish proof of residency (there is a list below). However, if you have applied for an absentee ballot before, you do not need to provide an ID each time you apply/reapply. 

  • How Can I Check the Status of & Track My Absentee Ballot? Visit this page: Track My Wisconsin Absentee Ballot.
  • How Do I Get an Absentee Ballot, and Do I Need a Reason or Excuse for One? No, you do not need an excuse--you can simply request one. Visit this page to Request An Absentee Ballot in Wisconsin. Once you're there, click on "vote absentee." You will need a photo ID to get a ballot, but you can get a free one, which we will discus below. All you have to do is take a picture of your photo ID (it must be an approved ID, not a selfie or anything of your choice, but one that Wisconsin has approved) with a phone to upload it. You do not have to physically go anywhere to get an absentee ballot. If someone has no internet access, they either can go to their local clerk or do it by mail.
  • Am I Able to Get Absentee Ballots for more than One Election at a Time? Yes. You can ask for absentee ballots for a full year, BUT, if you don't vote in any of one election that year, you will no longer be automatically mailed one. To get an absentee ballot or ballots again if this happens, you will just need to reapply, and you can start getting them again. Reapply using the same link (above) for how to request an absentee ballot. 
  • Can I Get Absentee Ballots Permanently Under Certain Circumstances? YES! If you are indefinitely confined (which you get to decide) based on disability or another reason, you can apply to get absentee ballots and have the ability to vote by mail for the rest of your life as Wisconsin voter.
  • What Will My Absentee Ballot(s) Look Like? ***NOTE: This is VERY important. You will be mailed both a GOP and Democratic absentee ballot if you applied for one correctly and in time. You can ONLY FILL OUT ONE of them. If you fill out both, your votes will NOT count. Please make sure to ONLY fill out one and return the one of your choice.
  • Where Should I Have My Absentee Ballot Sent? **This is very important: Absentee ballots do not get forwarded by mail, so you must provide the address where you expect to it to be delivered.** This does not mean that you have to vote at the address you gave for your ballot to be received at, but you need to make sure you ask the ballot to be mailed to the place where you want or need to get it. 
  • What is the Deadline to Request an Absentee Ballot? You must request your ballot by October 29.
  • What is the Deadline to Return My Ballot? Your ballot must be dropped off at the correct drop box* (see below), OR mailed back and RECEIVED (not postmarked) by November 3, 2020, at 8 pm, but you can and SHOULD return it as soon as possible.
  • Can I Vote in Wisconsin if I'm a Student? Yes. Students in WI can choose to declare Wisconsin or their home address as voting
    residence. You will need to provide a photo ID AND another document (see list below).
  • What If I Don't Have an ID?  You can get a free voting ID at your local state DOT/DMV office, OR you can put the last 4 digits of your social security number on your registration application. 
  • What Documents Are Accepted to Prove Residency, so I Can Register to Vote? Visit this site: Documents Accepted in Wisconsin to Prove Residency. 
  • What Does the Witness Requirement Mean? When you fill out your ballot certification envelope and are putting your completed ballot inside, you need a witness (another person) to sign your envelope AND give their address on your envelope in the proper places. The witness can be a family member or even a stranger. The witness must be 18, a US Citizen, and someone who is willing to put their name, signature, and address on the outside of your return envelope on the lines it belongs on. If this doesn't happen, your ballot doesn't count.
  • Who Cannot Be a Witness For My Ballot Return Envelope? Anyone who meets the above conditions and who is NOT running for office in your precinct (or is not on your ballot). They do NOT have to be a Wisconsin resident!
  • Can I Request an An Absentee Ballot for Someone Else? No. This is very important--it is perjury for someone to request a ballot for another person. You have to swear that you are the voter requesting your ballot for yourself. There are people who many be able to help you get an absentee ballot, but they CANNOT apply for you. 
  • What If I Want to Vote Absentee But I Am Currently in Another State?  Yes! If you’re a registered Wisconsin voter, but you’re currently out of state, you can still vote & have your ballot mailed to you out of state. If you’re going to do this, request early to build in wiggle room.
  • What Do I Need to Do to Make Sure My Ballot Counts? This is very important. You must fill out the certification envelope (the envelope you will return with your ballot that the state or your county has provided) completely and accurately. Please see this to see reasons Why Your Ballot May Not Count if You Vote Absentee. 

 

Voting In Person

  • Where is My Polling Place? You can visit this website: Find Your Polling Place in Wisconsin, or you can contact your municipal clerk, which is always a good idea because polling places often change. To find your clerk, visit this page: Find My Wisconsin Municipal Clerk. 
  •   What Options are Available to Me if I'm Disabled and Need to Vote in Person? Under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), voters have the right to vote curbside if they can’t go in, whether it’s early voting or on Election Day. This means you do not have to leave the car you are in. No clerk has the right to deny this, so you are not helped, please call the Wisconsin voter protection hotline. There have to be 2 people (election staff) to help. The election inspectors cannot ask you why you want/need to vote curbside. You have that right, period.
  • I've Moved: What Do I Do to Make Sure I Get to Vote? First, update your voter registration with your new residence immediately. You can do that here: Update Wisconsin Voter Registration. Wisconsin has a 28 day rule--if you moved 28 or more days before the Election, you should vote in your new precinct where your new residence is. If it has been less than 28 days since you moved, you vote in your old precinct--the precinct that is where you used to vote at your old residence. 
  • What are the Polling Hours? 7am-8pm. If you're in line to vote at 8pm, STAY IN LINE. You legally cannot be turned away from the polls. If anyone tries, call the Wisconsin voter protection hotline immediately, and stay where you are--if you leave, you will lose your right to vote.

Tips & Help for Wisconsin Voters: What You Need to Succeed!