Wisconsin has a general election coming up April 1.
What options are there when it comes to registering to vote? What's the deadline to request an absentee ballot? WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR put together a guide to help people vote.
In April, Wisconsinites will vote for state supreme court, state superintendent, and some local races. There is also a constitutional amendment on the ballot. You can look up what you'll be voting for here.
Here are some important deadlines and information on how to register to vote, vote absentee and cast a ballot in person in Wisconsin:
Registering to vote
In Wisconsin, people can register to vote in the April 1 election online or by mail until March 12. After that date, registering to vote must take place in person at your municipal clerk's office, at an early voting site, or on Election Day at your voting site.
All voters must provide a proof of residence document when registering to vote by mail, in person in the clerk’s office or at the polls on Election Day. Examples of proof of residence documents include a current drivers license or state ID, a utility bill, a paystub or a bank statement.
To register to vote online, a person's address and name must be current with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Addresses can be updated for free on the DMV’s website. Name changes cannot be completed online — that must be done in person at a DMV.
The next step is go to the MyVote Wisconsin website to complete the registration process.
To register to vote by mail, a voter registration application (Milwaukee's application is here) along with proof of residence must be sent to the municipal clerk.
In the City of Milwaukee, people can register to vote in person at a Milwaukee Public Library branch up to three weeks before election day. During early voting, people can register at any early voting location.
Important dates for registering to vote in Wisconsin:
- March 12: Last chance to register by mail or online. Visit myvote.wi.gov to register or find a person's municipal clerk’s address.
- March 28: Last chance to register to vote in municipal clerk’s office.
- April 1: Election day. Register to vote at your polling place from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Absentee voting
A person must be registered to vote to request an absentee ballot by mail. Absentee ballots can be requested for any reason. Once registered, a person can request their ballot online or by mail.
In the City of Milwaukee, here's how to request an absentee ballot by mail: Provide a copy of a photo ID either digitally or by mail and return the Application For an Absentee Ballot by email to absenteeballot@milwaukee.gov or by mail to the Milwaukee Election Commission, 200 E. Wells Street, Room 501, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
Request a ballot as early as possible. The U.S. Postal Service recommends mailing the ballot at least a week before the election.
In Milwaukee, absentee ballots can be returned at early voting sites.
Municipalities may also set up absentee ballot drop boxes for voters to return ballots. The Wisconsin Supreme Court allowed the use of ballot drop boxes after a previous ruling prohibited them.
Absentee ballots include the requirement for a witness signature from a U.S. citizen 18 years or older. The witness must print their name, sign their name and provide their complete address on the certificate envelope.
If you don't have a witness, you can bring your blank ballot to any of the early voting locations in the city of Milwaukee to fill it out.
Important dates for absentee voting in Wisconsin:
- March 27: Last day to request an absentee ballot. Applications for absentee ballots must be received no later than 5 p.m. Waiting until this day doesn't guarantee an absentee ballot will arrive with enough time to return it by election day.
- April 1: Election day. Ballot must be received by municipal clerk no later than 8 p.m.
Voting in person
You can vote in person on election day, April 1 at your polling place.
You cannot use an out-of-state ID to vote. Acceptable IDs include a Wisconsin state ID or driver's license, a U.S. passport, or a student voter ID from your college or university.
If your ID doesn't have your current address, you will need to bring documentation to show you live where you say you live — something like a utility bill.
If you go to vote and don't have an acceptable ID, you can cast a provisional ballot. You will then need to bring a valid ID to your clerk's office for your ballot to be counted.
Early in-person voting is available March 18-30, depending on the municipality. Voters must bring a valid photo ID. Check with local municipality for locations and schedule. Your polling place may not host early voting.
In Milwaukee, early voting is available March 18-29. Locations can be found here.
Important dates for voting in person in Wisconsin:
- March 18: First day of in-person early voting.
- March 30: Last day of in-person early voting, depending on municipality.
- April 1: Election day.
Not sure where to vote on election day? Look up your polling place here.
Additional resources & information
The Milwaukee Public Library offers voting assistance.
Souls to the Polls provides free rides to Milwaukee voters during early voting and on election day.
The Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition provides information and resources for folks with disabilities.
The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin has information for voters in Hmong and Spanish.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission offers a resource guide for unhoused voters.
The Milwaukee Election Commission website and My Vote Wisconsin were used as primary sources for this reporting.
Thanks to former WUWM staff Rafael Muñoz-Echavarria and Mallory Cheng for the 2023 version of this story.
