Election Day Arrives and You Forgot to Register. Here’s What to Do.

Here’s what you need to cast your ballot on Election Day. 

The Obamas asked you to do it. So did MyVoteWisconsin. Even Facebook. But life gets in the way sometimes and here you are on Election Day and you haven’t registered to vote.

Fortunately you live in the great state of Wisconsin which has allowed Election Day voter registration since 1976. But to sign up and cast a ballot that day, voters need to provide proof of who they are and where they live. 

First state residents need to find their polling place by going to myvote.wi.gov, clicking on the ‘Find My Polling Place’ and entering their home address. Wisconsin law states that someone must live at their current residence at least 28 days before they are eligible to vote. 

In order to register to vote, an individual must provide a proof of residence. To request a ballot and cast it, residents need a photo ID. For those who have a current driver’s license or state ID they’re good to go; those count as both proof of residency and as photo ID. 

For those who don’t must provide a proof of residence which gives the individual’s name and present address. Some acceptable forms of proof of residence include:

• Any identification issued by a local, state or federal agency;
• Identification from a business which includes a photo of the holder;
• Real estate tax bill or receipt;
• College, university or technical school ID;
• Utility bill issued less than 90 days before Election Day;
• Bank or credit card statement;
• Paycheck or paystub;
• Residential lease or an intake document for a residential care facility.

Once they’ve registered they still need to provide a photo ID to request a ballot. To learn more about what counts as photo ID and how to obtain one, go to:bringit.wi.gov.