Voting Registration - ID Requirement - Acceptable Forms of ID - Early In-Person Voting - Absentee Voting - Provisional Voting - Sample Ballots - Primary System

State Contact Information
Elections Division,
Wisconsin Government Accountability Board
17 West Main Street, Suite 310
PO Box 2973
Madison, Wisconsin 53701-2973

Phone: 608-266-8005

Fax: 608-267-0500
Email: gab@wi.gov

Website: http://elections.state.wi.us/

Voter Registration
Who can register to vote:
How to register to vote:
Download: Any qualified person can register to vote by downloading the Application for Voter Registration, complete the form and mail it to their municipal clerk's office. For a list of Wisconsin Municipal Clerks please click here. The application must be postmarked no later than the 20th day (3rd Wednesday) before Election Day.

First-time voters: Please note that first-time voters must provide a COPY of proof of identification and residence with their registration application when they register by mail. A "first-time" voter is an individual who is voting in an election in the state of Wisconsin for the first time. Please note that first-time voters registering by mail may not use a residential lease as proof of residence. The copy of the form of proof of residence must be included when submitting the registration application. If the voter does not provide the proof of identification or proof of residence, he or she will be required to supply it before voting at the polling place or before being issued an absentee ballot in the municipal clerk's office.

In person: Any qualified person may also register in their municipal clerk's office up to 5:00 pm or the
close of business whichever is later on the day before the election. Note: after the BY MAIL deadline, an
elector voting in person in the clerk's office is required to present acceptable proof of residence as
outlined below.

At the polling place on Election Day: Voters may also register to vote at their polling place, however, every voter must bring proof that they have lived at their present location for at least 10 days preceding the election. For purposes of voter registration, acceptable forms of proof of residence must include:

1. A current and complete name, including both the given and family name; and
2. A current and complete residential address, including a numbered street address, if any, and the name of a municipality.

**Forms with an expiration date must be valid on Election Day.

For purposes of voter registration, acceptable forms of proof of residence include:

1. A current and valid WI driver's license.
2. A current and valid Wisconsin identification card.
3. Any other official identification card or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body or unit.
4. Any identification card issued by an employer in the normal course of business and bearing a photo of the card holder, but not including a business card.
5. A real estate tax bill or receipt for the current year or the year preceding the date of the election.
6. A residential lease which is effective for a period that includes election day (NOT for first-time voters registering by mail).
7. A university, college or technical institute fee card (must include photo).
8. A university, college or technical institute identification card (must include photo).
9. A gas, electric or telephone service statement (utility bill) for the period commencing not earlier than 90 days before election day.
10. Bank statement.
11. Pay Check.
12. A check or other document issued by unit of government.

Proof of residence does not include any piece of mail addressed to the voter.

If you cannot supply acceptable Proof-of-Residence, your registration form can be substantiated and signed by one other elector who resides in your municipality, corroborating your residency information. The corroborator must then provide acceptable Proof-of-Residence.

ID Requirement
Identification at the polls is required only for first-time voters who register by mail and do not provide ID verification with their registration application. Proof of ID must contain a complete name, including both the first and last name, and a current and complete residential address, including a numbered street address, if any, and the name of a municipality. Forms which have an expiration date must be valid on Election Day in order to constitute acceptable proof of identification/ residence at that election.

Both photo and non-photo ID are accepted (see below for examples of acceptable forms of ID).

Acceptable Forms of ID

• a current and valid Wisconsin driver's license.
• a current and valid Wisconsin I.D. card.
• any other official I.D. card or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body or unit.
• any employer-issued photo I.D. card, issued in the normal course of business, but not including a business card.
• a university, college or technical college fee card or I.D. card with your photo and current address. **
  ** May be used even if the card does not contain the cardholder's address, if the educational institution provides a certified student list for use at the polling place
• a utility bill (e.g., gas, electric, cable TV or telephone) for the period commencing not earlier than 90 days before election day.
• a bank statement
• a real estate (i.e., property) tax bill or receipt for the current year or the year preceding the date of the election
• a current residential lease which is effective for a period that includes election day (NOT for first-time voters registering by mail, however).
• a pay check or a government check or other document issued by unit of government.
  

Whatever form of proof you supply must contain a complete name, including both the first and last name; and a current and complete residential address, including a numbered street address, if any, and the name of a municipality. Forms which have an expiration date must be valid on Election Day in order to constitute acceptable proof of residence at that election.

If you don't have written proof, bring a friend (with identification) who lives in the same municipality. This person can serve as a corroborator (witness) to verify your address. He or she does not need to be a registered voter but must provide proof of residence, which must be in the same municipality.

Early Voting In Person (open)
Voters in Wisconsin may vote early in person, also referred to as absentee voting in person. Any registered voter may vote prior to Election Day in person at his or her Municipal Clerk's Office after absentee ballots are ready up until 5:00 pm on the day before the election. For details, the voter should contact his or her Municipal Clerk's Office. A list of these offices is available at: http://elections.state.wi.us/docview.asp?docid=10506&locid=47

How to vote early in person: The voter will need to apply for an absentee ballot in his or her municipal clerk's office and must vote there immediately, seal their ballot in the proper envelope, and return it to a member of the clerk's staff. No ballots may be taken from the clerk's office.

Absentee Voting (open)
Who can apply for an absentee ballot by mail: Any registered voter may apply for an absentee ballot without requiring the voter to state their reason or excuse for voting absentee.

How to request an absentee ballot by mail: Voters may download the Application for Absentee Ballot and complete the form and mail it to their municipal clerk's office. Contact information of municipal clerk's offices is available at: http://elections.state.wi.us/docview.asp?docid=10506&locid=47
*Please note that there are exceptions for military voters. Please refer to the Miltary and Overseas Voting Manual for this rules.

When to Apply for an Absentee Ballot: Any registered voter may apply for an absentee ballot up until 5:00 pm on the day prior to Election Day.

When to Return Absentee Ballot: The completed ballot must be received by the municipal clerk no later than Election Day so that it can be delivered to the polling place by 8pm.

Provisional Voting (in precinct)
A "provisional ballot" can be considered a temporary ballot. Federal law provides for voters whose eligibility is in question to cast a ballot. A provisional ballot is not counted until voter eligibility can be determined by Election officials. If the voter has a current, valid Wisconsin driver's license but does not know the number and did not bring it to the polling place, poll workers should allow the voter to vote by provisional ballot. (Note: the voter CANNOT use the last 4 digits of their Social Security Number if he or she has been issued a Wisconsin driver's license). The provisional ballot will not be counted until the voter either:

1. brings his or her driver's license number to his or her polling place before the polls close at 8:00 pm on Election Day; or
2. transmits (via fax, email, telephone call or personal visit) his or her driver's license number to the municipal clerk before 4:00 pm on the day after the Election.

In order to be counted, a provisional ballot must be cast in the precinct where the voter has been assigned to vote.

Sample Ballots
Provision of sample ballots may vary by county. Nonetheless, voters with internet access may obtain their sample ballot in addition to polling place information by visiting the following link:
http://vpa.wi.gov/.

Primary System (closed)
Wisconsin's primary system is closed. In order to vote in a primary, voters must be registered in a political party.