Wisconsin Voting Guide

Voting In Wisconsin

Civic participation through voting is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. We vote for candidates we feel will best represent us in elected offices. Wisconsin voters have many options to select their preferred candidates for elected office. The State of Wisconsin holds the following types of elections:

• General elections (this includes presidential elections every four years)
• State-wide elections (includes state-wide offices, like governor or state supreme court justices)
• Primary elections (where voters select candidates to represent a political party in a future election)
• Special elections
• Local elections (like Board of Education elections for members)

Can I Vote in Wisconsin?

You can vote in Wisconsin if you meet the eligibility criteria. To vote in Wisconsin elections, you must:

• Be 18 years old
• Be a U.S. citizen
• Have lived at your current home for at least 28 days before the election

You cannot vote in Wisconsin if you are:

• Currently in jail or on probation for a felony
• Incompetent to vote as determined by a judge
• Accused of betting on the election

Where Do I Vote?

Your physical address determines your polling place for in-person and in-person absentee voting. You can check the Wisconsin Voter Election Commission’s website for more information on your specific polling place.

FIND OUT WHERE TO VOTE

Wisconsin Voter Registration

Unlike states like North Dakota, Wisconsin residents must register to vote. Wisconsin residents have several ways to register. These include the following:

In Person

You can register to vote in person in Wisconsin at your local municipal clerk’s office.

Online

You can register to vote at MyVoteWisconsin. You will need a Wisconsin driver’s license or I.D. card.

At the Polls

Wisconsin offers same-day voter registration. You can register at the polls on Election Day. Make sure to bring proof of residence. Your proof of residence can include any of the following:

• Wisconsin driver’s license (unexpired)
• Wisconsin nondriver’s identification (unexpired)
• State ID card (unexpired)
• Utility bill
• Real estate tax bill
• University or technical college identification card (must have an issue date; if expired, the student must present proof of enrollment, like a tuition fee receipt)
• Intake documentation from a care facility (i.e., nursing home)

By Mail

You can mail your voter registration form to your local municipal clerk’s office.

When is Wisconsin’s voter registration deadline?

In Wisconsin, you can register at the polls on election day. Otherwise, registration deadlines are as follows:

Online: 20 days before the election

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

By Mail: 20 days before the election

How do I vote by absentee ballot in Wisconsin?

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

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

Return the 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 absentee ballots.

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

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

Registered voters voting in person must provide photo identification at their polling location. Acceptable documents include, but are not limited to, these photo IDs:

• Wisconsin driver’s license
• Nondriver’s ID issued by the Wisconsin DMV
• U.S. Passport
• Military ID
• Certificate of Naturalization (no more than two years old)
• Tribal identification issued by a Wisconsin Native American tribe

Two groups of Wisconsin voters do not have to show a photo ID at the polls. If you meet the inclusion criteria for either group, you likely do not have to show a photo ID at the polls.

• Survivors of the following who have a confidential listing:
  • Domestic abuse
  • Stalking
  • Sexual assault
• 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.

Special Accommodations for Wisconsin Voters

Wisconsin residents with disabilities enjoy the same voter rights as their non-disabled peers.

Permanent Absentee Voter Status

Voters indefinitely confined by the following may request permanent absentee voter status:

• Illness
• Disability
• Infirmity
• Age

This includes individuals residing in elder care, assisted living, and nursing home facilities.

You can have an assistant in the voting booth if you need help marking your ballot. Your employer or union representative cannot assist you in the voting booth on Election Day.

Accessible Voting Machines

All Wisconsin polling places have accessible voting machines available on Election Day. You may request help with these machines, but your assistant cannot help you vote.

What if I see something illegal at the polls?

If you see or experience anything that seems illegal at the polls, report it to a poll worker. 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

Get Legal Help Voting in Wisconsin

U.S. Citizens who meet the voting criteria have an unequivocal right to do so. If you experience a violation of your voting rights, a civil rights attorney can help. Civil rights attorneys are experts in voting rights law and give you sound legal advice. Speak to an experienced civil rights attorney today.

Additional Information for Wisconsin Voters

Wisconsin Secretary of State
The Office of the Secretary of State
P.O. Box 7848
Madison, WI 53707 – 7848

Phone: 608-266-8888, then press 4 
Fax: n/a 
Email: statesec@wi.gov 
Web: https://sos.wi.gov/

Wisconsin Voting Resources

Your vote counts. Take the time to learn how and when to vote.

REGISTER TO VOTE

ELECTION DATES

VOTE ABSENTEE

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.