You Need Proper Identification to Vote. Here’s What Counts for Voter ID.

Don’t let it keep you from the polls. You probably have the right kind of ID or can still get it.

After making a plan to vote and waiting in line, the last thing anyone needs is to be denied a ballot because they don’t have proper photo identification. 

Photo identification is not necessary to register, but you do need it to receive your ballot on Election Day.

Most people will be able to use their Wisconsin-issued driver’s license (even if their driving privileges are suspended or revoked) or a state-issued ID. Those forms of identification can even be expired as long as it happened after the last General Election on Nov. 6, 2018. Sometime DOT-issued identification doesn’t have a photo of the recipient due to a religious exemption—those are acceptable as well. 

But for people who do not have any of those, here is a list of identification that’s accepted at the polls:

Acceptable identification that must be current:

• Veteran’s identification card issued by the Veteran’s Health Administration.
• Driving receipt or identification card receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT less than 45 days prior to Election Day.
• Temporary identification card receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT through the Identification Petition Process less than 60 days prior to Election Day.
• Certification of naturalization issued less than two years prior to Election Day.

Acceptable identification whether current or expired after the last General Election on Nov. 6, 2018:

• Military ID issued by a U.S. uniformed service.
• US passport.
• Identification card issued by a federally recognized Native American tribe in Wisconsin.
• Photo identification card issued by a Wisconsin accredited university or college that contains date of issuance, signature of student, and an expiration date no later than two years after date of issuance. If the university or college ID is expired, the student ID must be accompanied by a separate document that proves current enrollment.

For more details on voter identification and how to get a valid ID, go to bringit.wi.gov.