With Wisconsin’s primary election wrapped up and the general election fast approaching, midterm season is in full swing.
Midterm elections take place halfway through the presidential term. In this year’s midterms, Wisconsin will vote on a governor, lieutenant governor, all eight representatives in the US House, all state Assembly seats, attorney general, secretary of state, and treasurer.
Whether you’re a first-time voter or you’ve cast a ballot in multiple elections, here’s some important information to know before heading to the polls.
Registering to vote
There are multiple ways to go about registering to vote.
Register online
Wisconsin offers online voter registration. This is oftentimes the fastest way to go about registering to vote or updating voter registration.
Visit MyVote.WI.gov to register for the first time, or to change your name or address.
Online registration must be done 20 days before Election Day, or Oct. 14.
Register by mail
Voters can register for the first time or update voter registration by mail for local, state, and national elections.
To do so, voters must print the form, fill it out, and have it mailed back to their state election office 20 days before election day, or Oct. 14.
Download the form here, and find the appropriate state election office at MyVote.WI.gov.
Register in person
From now until Election Day, voters can register in person.
Until the Friday before Election Day, or Oct. 30, voters can register in person at their municipal clerk’s office. On Election Day, Nov. 3, they can register at their polling place.
Proof of residency
Proof of current residence must be shown when registering to vote for the first time.
This can include a current and valid Wisconsin driver’s license or state ID card, or any other official identification or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body or unit.
If neither of these is an option, MyVote.WI.gov offers a list of acceptable proof of residence documents.
Ways to vote
Early in person
Also known as in-person absentee voting, early in-person voting opens 14 days before Election Day, or Oct. 20, for the general election. It runs through the Sunday before Election Day, or Nov. 1.
Polling locations and times for early in-person voting depend on the address of the voter. MyVote.WI.gov has a tool to find voting locations in each municipality.
By mail
To vote by mail, ballots must be requested at MyVote.WI.gov. After ballots are received, they must be filled out and returned.
Voters must also have a witness who can verify the ballot was filled out properly with their signature.
To return the ballot, voters can either stamp and use the pre-addressed envelope provided, or return it in person.
It is recommended that voters return their ballot by mail eight days before Election Day to ensure it arrives on time.
In-person returns can take place at various locations. The League of Women Voters offers a tool to locate ballot return options. Voters can also contact their municipal clerk to confirm when and where the ballot can be returned.
In person on Election Day
Voters are assigned a polling location based on where they live. On Election Day, polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. As long as voters are in line by 7:59 p.m., they can still cast their ballot.
What to bring to the polls
Wisconsin requires a photo ID to vote both on Election Day and during early voting.
- Wisconsin driver’s license
- Wisconsin state identification card
- US passport
- Receipt issued by the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles
- Military and Veteran Affairs ID cards
- Tribal IDs
- Certificate of naturalization
- Student ID issued by an accredited Wisconsin college, university, or technical college that includes:
- Name
- Signature
- Photo
- Issue and expiration dates
Other information
Voters that do not have English as their primary language can contact the Wisconsin or their local election office to learn more about what kind of support is available.
Additionally, voters with disabilities can request accessible voting materials, including ballots in large print or audio formats. Voters can contact the Wisconsin or their local election office to learn more about options and request accommodations.
There are also multiple ride options across the state to get voters to their polling place.
For those worried about making it to the polls on time, employers are legally required to allow up to three hours to go vote during the work day.
Important dates to keep in mind
Before the Nov. 3 general election, here are some important dates to remember:
- Oct. 14: Deadline to register to vote online and by mail
- Oct. 20: Early in-person voting starts
- Oct. 29: Last day to request a mail-in ballot
- Nov. 1: Early in-person voting ends
- Nov. 3 by 8 p.m.: Mail-in ballots must be returned
- Nov. 3: Election Day
As the Nov. 3 general election approaches, it’s important all voters are prepared before heading to the polls. For more information on what to expect ahead of Election Day, visit UpNorthNews’ Voter Hub.
