FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
*The following information comes from the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board.
HOW DO I REGISTER TO VOTE?
There are three easy ways to register in Wisconsin . You can:
- Register in person at your city, town or village clerk’s office until 5 p.m. on the day before the election.
- Register by mail. You can download and print an Application for Voter Registration Form (Form GAB-131) or you can contact the city clerk’s office and ask them to send you an Application for Voter Registration Form (Form GAB-131) in the mail. Follow each instruction carefully and mail it back before the deadline. It must be postmarked or received in the clerk’s office 20 days before the election — by January 27 for the Primary Election or by March 17 for the General Election.
- Register at the polls on Election Day.
CAN I VOTE VIA ABSENTEE BALLOT?
Yes you can!
To request an absentee ballot:The request is made to the municipal clerk in writing by using the Application For Absentee Ballot (GAB-121) or by letter requesting an absentee ballot which provides substantially the same information required on the application form. In either case, the elector making the request must sign the “application.” (If a request is made for more than one person residing at the same address, each person must sign the request.)
WHAT IS THE DEADLINE FOR REQUESTING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT?
If the request is made by mail it must be in the office of the municipal clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Thursday preceding an election. (This is the last day a clerk can mail an absentee ballot to an elector.)
If the request is made in-person at the clerk’s office-it can be made until 5:00 p.m. on the day preceding the election.
HOW DO I CAST MY ABSENTEE BALLOT?
When you receive your absentee ballot you should mark it in the presence of a witness who is an adult U.S. citizen. The witness need not and should not see how you voted, only that you voted.
You should fold the completed ballot, place it in the absentee ballot certificate envelope and seal the envelope, then complete and sign the certificate and have the witness sign the certificate and then return the envelope containing the ballot either by mail or by personal delivery, to the clerk for delivery to the polling place by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
If making the request in person, you can cast your ballot at the time of the request.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING WITH ME ON ELECTION DAY?
If you are registered to vote in District 5 there is nothing you need to bring with you on Election Day. However, it’s not a bad idea to bring some form of proof of residence, just in case.
If you are NOT registered to vote in District 5 you can register at the polling location on Election Day. To be eligible to vote you need: 1) to have lived in District 5 for at least 10 days, and 2) to provide proof of residence.
Valid forms of proof of residence include:
- A current and valid WI driver’s license. A current and valid Wisconsin identification card.
- Any other official identification card or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body or unit.
- Any identification card issued by an employer in the normal course of business and bearing a photo of the card holder, but not including a business card.
- A real estate tax bill or receipt for the current year or the year preceding the date of the election.
- A residential lease which is effective for a period that includes election day (NOT for first-time voters registering by mail).
- A university, college or technical institute fee card (must include photo).
- A university, college or technical institute identification card (must include photo).
- A gas, electric or telephone service statement (utility bill) for the period commencing not earlier than 90 days before election day.
- Bank statement.
- Pay Check.
- A check or other document issued by unit of government.
