If you’re looking for a way to make an impact this election season, consider holding a voter registration drive. Voter registration drives are exactly what they sound like: An event where you or a group help people in your community who still need to register to vote and fill out their voter application.
These drives play a crucial role in strengthening our communities by helping ensure that every eligible citizen has the opportunity to participate in the electoral process. These drives help close the gap in voter turnout by making registration accessible, especially for underrepresented and marginalized communities.
Ready to get started? Here’s what you need to know.
Voter registration deadlines for Wisconsin’s 2026 general election
- Oct. 14: Deadline to register by mail (postmarked) or online.
- Oct. 30, 5 p.m.: Deadline to register to vote in-person at your municipal clerk’s office
- Nov. 3, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.: Final registration deadline. You can register in person at your polling place on Election Day.
RELATED: 6 key dates to know in Wisconsin’s 2026 midterm elections
Getting started
Wisconsin does not have a registration, training, or notification requirements for running or assisting with a voter registration drive. This means no prior paperwork or advance notice is needed before starting your drive.
However, there are some rules you need to be aware of:
- Do not pay registration drive participants based on how many registrations they collect. It is a criminal offense in Wisconsin.
- Do not offer an applicant any incentive of monetary value to register to vote
What you’ll need
There are two ways to get people registered at your drive:
Printed voter registration application:
The state mail-in voter registration application is available for download on the Wisconsin Elections Commission’s website in English, Spanish, and Hmong.
To register someone using a printed voter registration form, you must collect a photocopy of the person’s proof of residence. Proof of residence documents may be provided in an electronic format. Because of this, voter registration participants can assist people in filling out a registration application under specific guidelines. Voter registration drive participants must photocopy the voter’s proof of residence document for submission if the voter does not provide a copy.
Since voter registration participants cannot collect and submit a registration application without a photocopy of proof of residence, registration drives in Wisconsin are often conducted using online voter registration.
Online voter registration application:
Wisconsin residents can register online if they have a State of Wisconsin Driver License or State of Wisconsin ID card issued by the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). An online voter registration application is available on our website. Wisconsin residents can register to vote online 20 or more days prior to Election Day.
Where and how to hold a drive
The best place to hold a voter registration drive is where you’re likely to encounter people walking by.
The League of Women Voters recommends:
- Transit hubs/neighborhood gathering places
- Schools (high schools, colleges, technical schools, vocational/alternative schools)
- Community/sporting events
- Places frequented by recent movers
Once you’ve established a location, be sure to have the following items ready for a successful drive:
- Voter registration forms and clipboards
- Pens for writing
- Equipment for online registration
- Signs telling people they can register to vote there
- Extra forms that people can give to friends and family
Last but not least, make sure to be personable and call out to folks passing by to get their attention by asking if they need to register to vote!
Who is eligible to register
Wisconsin residents are eligible to vote if they meet the following criteria:
- Are a US citizen
- Will be 18 years of age on or before Election Day
- Have resided in Wisconsin for at least 28 consecutive days before Election Day
- Are not currently serving a felony sentence, including probation/parole
After the drive
Applications completed during a registration drive must be received or postmarked to the voters’ clerk by the third Wednesday before Election Day. To determine which clerk should receive a form, look up the home address listed on the voter registration application here.
Before you head out, make sure your own registration is up to date below.
