Wisconsin Voting Essentials

Let’s cut to the chase: Voting is your superpower, and this blog post is your guide to wielding it in Wisconsin. And we get it—life is busy, and voting might not always be top of mind. But in this post, we’re breaking down everything you need to know to get registered and ready for election day in Wisconsin. Whether you’re a first-time voter or just need a refresher, we’re here to make sure you’re fully prepared to show up for yourself and your community, with all the details you need—from voter eligibility to ID requirements—to keep your voice loud and clear in the election process.

Voter Eligibility

A person is eligible to vote in WI state and national elections if they are:

• A US Citizen
• A resident of WI for at least 28 days
• 18 years old on or before the next election day
• Not currently serving a sentence for a felony including probation, parole, or extended supervision
• Not otherwise ineligible to vote (ex. Through a guardianship decision)

Registration

Who needs to register to vote?

• First time voters
• If you’ve moved since you registered to vote
• If you’ve changed your name
• If you haven’t registered to vote since your voting rights have been restored
  • E.g. Folx who have completed their felony sentence
  • E.g. Folx who have had voting rights restored as part of a guardianship decision
• If you have been purged from the Voter Rolls (haven’t voted in 4 years)

What do you need in order to register to vote?

• If registering to vote online:
  • WI Drivers License or WI ID Card
• If registering to vote using the paper form:
  • An acceptable proof of residence document
  • Your WI Driver’s License or ID Card # or the last 4 digits of your social security # if you don’t have a WI ID

Register to vote in one of the following ways:

• Online:
  • At myvote.wi.gov up to 20 days before election day
• By mail:
  • Up to 20 days before election day.  Registrations should be sent to the individual’s municipal clerk
• In person:
  • At your municipal clerk’s office until the Friday before Election Day
• At your polling location:
  • On election day when you go vote

Voter ID

Voters must present physical ID – no copies or digital images

Acceptable forms of ID:

• WI Drivers License
• WI State ID Card
• US Passport
• Military ID
• Veterans Affairs card
• Tribal ID (issued by tribe in WI)
• Certificate of Naturalization (Issued within 2 years)
• DMV ID petition process receipt
• Student voting ID issued by WI College or university
  • Must show student signature, issuance date, and expiration date within 2 years of issuance

Ways to Vote

• At the Polls
  • Vote at the polls on election day
  • Poll hours: 7 am to 8 pm CST
  • Find your poll location at 9to5.org/govote
  • A form of ID is required to vote
• In Person Absentee Voting
  • Vote early in person at your local Municipal Clerk
  • Find your In Person Absentee Voting Location at myvote.wi.gov
• Absentee Ballot by Mail
  • You can request an absentee ballot sent to you online at 9to5.org/govote or in person at your clerk’s office.
  • Absentee ballots should be requested at least 2 weeks before the election and returned via mail no later than 7 days before the election, or hand delivered to your clerk’s office, polling place, or central court location by 8 pm on election day.