Wisconsin Voting Guide

When is Wisconsin’s voter registration deadline?

You can register at the polls on election day. Otherwise, registration deadlines are:

Online: 20 days before the election

In-Person: Close of business (or 5:00pm, if later) on the Friday before the election at the clerk's office, or at the polling place on election day.

By Mail: 20 days before the election

How do I request an absentee ballot in Wisconsin?

You can vote by absentee ballot in Wisconsin by mail or at your local municipal clerk’s office. You can request an absentee ballot through MyVote Wisconsin’s absentee ballot page.

If voting via absentee ballot, make sure you and your ballot witness complete all parts, as clerks can no longer fill in missing information for the ballot witness.

Return absentee ballot by mail or online five days before the election by 5:00 pm, or in person at the clerk's office the Sunday before election day. However, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has banned drop boxes, so this option is no longer available for returning the absentee ballot.

Military and overseas voters may vote online via the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA).

What do I need to bring to the polls in Wisconsin?

As of 2015, all voters are required to provide photo identification at the polls (as required by 2011 Wisconsin Act 23). Acceptable documents include these photo IDs:

• Wisconsin driver’s license or other ID issued by the Wisconsin DMV
• U.S. Passport
• Military ID
• Certificate of Naturalization (no more than two years old)
• ID issued by a Wisconsin Indian tribe
• Veteran’s Health Administration ID
• Some student IDs (must have an issue date, an expiration date no more than two years old, a signature, and a photo)

In most cases, you must provide a photo ID at the polls. There are two exemptions:

• Victims of domestic abuse, stalking, or sexual assault who have a confidential listing
• Individuals who have religious objections to having their photo taken

If you register at the polls and do not have a valid ID, you can vote via provisional ballot. You will then have the opportunity to provide your ID to election officials at the polls or your municipal clerk by 4:00 on the Friday after election day.

What special accommodations are available?

Voters indefinitely confined by illness, disability, infirmity, or age, may request permanent absentee voter status. This includes individuals residing in elder care, assisted living, and nursing home facilities.

If you need help marking your ballot, you may be accompanied to the voting booth by someone who is not your employer or union representative.

What do I do if I see something illegal at the polls?

If you see or experience anything that seems illegal at the polls, report it. You can also file a complaint about an election official.

Report complaints to the Wisconsin Elections Commission if you:

• Witnessed a crime such as voter fraud or intimidation
• Believe an election official broke the law or abused their discretion
• Experienced a violation of the Help America Vote Act

You can also contact an attorney experienced in voting laws if you feel your voting rights have been violated.