Everything to know about voting in Wisconsin

You’re registered! Now what?

Wisconsin’s general election, like every other US state, is Tuesday, November 5, 2024. But it’s never to early to make a plan to vote. Here are your options:

1. In-person early voting 

Early voting allows voters to vote ahead of time at a physical location. In Wisconsin, this is referred to as “absentee in-person” voting. In-person early voting can begin no earlier than 14 days prior to Election Day and must end no later than the Saturday before the election. 

Per the MyVote Wisconsin website, early in-person voting availability varies by county. Look up your local information and find information from your area municipal clerk using this tool. 

2. Voting absentee by mail

All registered Wisconsin voters have the right to vote by mail—you don’t have to provide a reason or prove that you’ll be out of town. Simply preferring to vote by mail is reason enough. 

Here’s how to apply for a mail-in ballot:

• Online: Visit the MyVote Wisconsin website to fill out a request form for a mail-in ballot.
• By mail or in-person: You may also access an absentee ballot request form by entering this portal and printing the application. When complete, return it to your municipal clerk via mail or in person. Find your local clerk using this tool. You may also be able to obtain a paper copy of the application while visiting the clerk’s office in person—or simply vote absentee in-person on site, as detailed above. 

Completed applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on the Thursday prior to Election Day. For the 2024 general election, this means Thursday, October 31, 2024. 

Once you have received and filled out your absentee/mail-in ballot, return it by mail or by hand to your local municipal clerk’s office. Find local clerk info here.

Ballots must be received by your county election board office by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

3. Election Day voting  

Voting in person on Election Day requires a bit of planning, but you’ll also probably get a nifty “I Voted” sticker! To vote in person, double check your polling location by visiting the MyVote Wisconsin website. Your location might be a local church, school, or other community building close to your registered address. 

HOW TO VOTE: Get in line and stay in line—even if you’re still in line when the polls technically close. A poll worker will ask to see your photo ID. If you do not have an ID, you may be eligible to vote using a provisional ballot. 

The volunteer worker will hand you your ballot. Take this ballot into an empty voting booth and completely fill out each bubble with the pen provided, both front and back! You’ll then place your ballot into the provided privacy sleeve and head to the tabulation machine, where you’ll simply slide the ballot (not the sleeve) into a slot or other designated ballot return box. That’s it! 

WHEN TO VOTE: Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. local time. 

Again, if you are already in line when polls close, you have the right to vote. Stay in line. 

Are you ready to vote? Make sure to check your voter registration status, see who’s on your ballot, and make a voting plan here.