VOTE

Voting is an important way to demonstrate your effective citizenship and affect the future of our country. We have a responsibility to be engaged participants in our democracy.

Plan ahead so you have a positive voting experience. Here is what you need to know to be ready to vote.

Important Dates

Fall General Election: Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Spring Primary Election: Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Spring Election: Tuesday, April 1, 2025

 

Preparing to Vote

Register

In order to vote, you need to be registered where you plan on voting. The last day to register online or by mail for the Nov. 5 General Election is October 16, 2024. You need to register if:

-          You are a first-time voter

-          You have moved to a new address since the last time you voted (note: Voters must live at their present address for 28 days prior to Election Day in order to vote at the assigned voting location for that address. If you moved to a new address fewer than 28 days ago, you will need to vote at your old voting site for the upcoming election)

-          You have changed your legal name since the last time you voted

If you registered in the past, but are unsure of your registration status, check MyVote to confirm your registration status. You can use MyVote to update your name or the address on file for you.

Register to Vote Online

You may register online if:

-          You have a current, valid Wisconsin Driver License or Wisconsin ID Card – and –

-          Your current name and zip code are in the Wisconsin DMV database. You can update your address in the DMV database, if necessary.

You may register online in Wisconsin up to 20 days before Election Day.

 

Register to Vote by Mail or Delivery to Municipal Clerk

If you do not have a current, valid Wisconsin Driver License or Wisconsin ID Card, you may complete the voter registration form and mail or deliver it to your municipal clerk along with a Proof of Residence document. You can start the form online, then print, sign, and mail or deliver to your municipal clerk along with a Proof of Residence document (note: if you are registering by mail, you can use any of the forms of Proof of Residence except a residential lease).

 

Register to Vote in Person

You have several options to register in person. You will need to bring a Proof of Residence document.

-          At your municipal clerk’s office up until the Friday before the election at 5:00 p.m.

-          At any Milwaukee Public Library. View a list of branches for more information

-          At the Election Commission (200 E. Wells St., Room 501), Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.- 4:45 p.m.

-          Register and vote at an early voting site

-          Register and vote at your assigned polling site on Election Day.

 

See What’s On My Ballot

Preview My Ballot

See which candidates and measures will be on your ballot by visiting MyVote- Preview My Ballot.

Research the Candidates and Measures

Make informed choices on the candidates, initiatives, and referendums by doing research. In addition to voter guides provided by organizations and newspapers, BallotReady, a non-partisan national resource, provides candidate backgrounds and ballot measure explanations.

In Wisconsin, you are allowed to bring notes or look at your phone at the voting booth.

Voting

Find my Polling Place

On-Campus Residents
Students who live on campus can get a voter ID in the Student Affairs Office.

Off Campus Wisconsin Residents

Find your polling place on MyVote

Out of State Students

If you are an out-of-state voter, you can either vote in your home state by requesting an absentee ballot or register as a Wisconsin voter with your Wisconsin address. You may only vote once per election, so you will choose which residence to be a current registered for. To learn more about voting in another state, go the federal government’s voting website.

Students Studying Abroad

If you are a Wisconsin voter, you can request an absentee ballot on MyVote. Overseas voters have until 5 p.m. on the 5^th day before the election to make a request. Once you receive your absentee ballot, it needs to be completed, mailed, and received by 8 p.m. on Election Day. If you do not receive your absentee ballot in time to meet the deadline, you can mail in the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot form. It is strongly recommended that you request and return your absentee ballot with plenty of time due to considerations of international mail.

Election Day Voting

Wisconsin polling places are open on Election Day from 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

Bring the following items on Election Day:
- An acceptable photo ID
- If you are registering to vote on Election Day, also bring Proof of Residence documentation.
- Voter guide notes on paper or your phone (optional).

 

Absentee Voting

If you do not wish to vote in person on Election Day, you may request an absentee ballot. You have several options to request an absentee ballot.

-          Online- Request an absentee ballot at MyVote

-          By Mail- Download the Application for Absentee Ballot, complete it and mail it with a copy of your photo ID to your Municipal Clerk.  

Note: If you are not already registered, you will need to register to vote before an absentee ballot can be sent to you. See information above to register.  

** Your request must be received by your municipal clerk by 5 p.m. the Thursday before the election and must be completed absentee ballot must be delivered not later than 8 p.m. on Election Day. The U.S. Postal Service recommends absentee ballots be mailed one week before Election Day to arrive on time.

Early Voting

Early voting is a form of absentee voting that is performed in person. Contact your municipal clerk for early voting locations, dates, and hours.

In Milwaukee, early voting takes place from October 22 to November 3.  Weekdays from 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. More information here.

Resources

Voting in Wisconsin- MyVote WI
Voting in Other States- USA.gov
Wisconsin Voter ID