Vote! It Counts!

Información de Votación
Información del votante en español aquí
First-time Voter Checklist
If you are a disabled voter with questions, call this hotline: 844.347.8683

When is the next election?
Tuesday, November 5, is our General Election.

Who are we voting for?

The election in November will include candidates for county offices including district attorney, county clerk, treasurer, and register of deeds. It will also include U.S. President & Vice President, U. S. Congressman, U.S. Senator, State Senator (some of them), and State Assembly Representative (all of them).
Your ballot will include a referendum question regarding amending our state constitution:
Eligibility to vote. Shall section 1 of article III of the constitution, which deals with suffrage, be amended to provide that only a United States citizen age 18 or older who resides in an election district may vote in an election for national, state, or at a statewide or local referendum?
(Note that currently the state constitution says every United States citizen; it would be amended to say only a United States citizen.)

How do I decide how to vote?

Here is a compilation of candidate and referendum iinformation compiled by the League of Women Voters of Winnebago County.

Who can vote?
Everyone who is at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, and has resided at their address at least 28 days before Election Day may vote.
[You may not vote if you have been convicted of a felony and have not as yet completed your sentence, probation, parole, or extended supervision, if a judge has declared you unfit to vote, or if you have a wager on the results of the election.]

How do I register to vote?
You have two options:

1. Register online. Enter your name and birthdate at myvote.wi.gov and follow the steps. (This website connects to data held at Wisconsin’s Department of Motor Vehicles, so enter your name and address exactly as they appear on your card. If your address has changed, update it first). The deadline to register online before the November election is October 16, 2024.

2. Register in person.

When you register in person, you must supply the number on your Wisconsin Driver License or Wisconsin State ID. If you do not have one of those, you must supply the last four digits of your social security number. If your license or ID has your correct address, that is all you need. Otherwise, you will need to verify your address.

How do I verify my address?
These are the most common ways to verify your address. It must include your name and current address. You may present these on your cellphone.
• A current and accurate State of Wisconsin Driver License or State ID card.
• An official ID card or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body or unit.
• A real estate tax bill/receipt for the current year or the year preceding the date of the election.
• A public school grade report, schedule, etc.
• A university, college, or technical college identification card (must include photo) only if the voter provides a class-fee receipt dated within the last 9 months or the institution provides a certified housing list, that indicates citizenship, to the municipal clerk.
• A gas, electric, or telephone service statement (utility bill) for the period commencing no earlier than 90 days prior.
• Bank/credit card statement.
• Paycheck or paystub.
• A check or other document issued by a unit of Wisconsin government.
• A letter on public or private social service agency letterhead identifying a homeless voter and describing the individual’s residence for voting purposes.
• Residential lease that is effective on date of registration.
• An intake document from a residential care facility such as a nursing home or assisted living facility.

How do I cast a ballot?
You have three options:

Vote absentee by mail. Request a mailed ballot at myvote.wi.gov. (You will need to upload a photo of your photo ID.) After you complete this request, your clerk will mail you a ballot a few weeks before an election, along with a return envelope. When you receive your ballot, follow the directions carefully, and mail it back quickly. Your ballot must be witnessed by a fellow Wisconsin resident who is 18 years older or older. Your witness must sign and write their full address (street, city, state, zip code) where indicated. Ballots must arrive back at your clerk's office by Election Day. If time is a problem, return the ballot to your clerk's office during weekday hours. Track your ballot at myvote.wi.gov.
Vote early in person during office hours at your clerk's office beginning the Tuesday two weeks before an election. The last day to vote this way is the Friday before Election Day. You will need to present a photo ID.
NOTE: This is a very busy election. Check with your clerk to see if early voting is taking place at a special venue with special hours.
Vote at your polling place on Election Day between 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Present your photo ID and state your name and address. Sign the poll book when asked.
(If you are unable to sign because of a physical disability, you are exempt from this requirement.)
You may ask to see a list of registered write-in candidates.
When you receive a ballot, proceed to a voting booth to mark your ballot.
(It is OK to ask someone to help you read your ballot if you are visually impaired. There may also be a special device available to help you complete your ballot with auditory directions.)
Insert your ballot into the tabulation machine. And you’re done!
While at your polling place, you may use a cellphone to present proof of address, photo ID, look up candidates while you vote, and take photos -- but it is illegal to photograph other voters or a completed ballot, even your own completed ballot.
If there is a reason you cannot enter your polling place, you can vote from your car in your polling place parking lot. There is usually a phone number posted that you can call when you get there, or arrange curbside voting ahead of time with your clerk.
If you are in line by 8:00 pm, you will be allowed to vote no matter how late it gets.

Where is my polling place?
Your polling place is associated with your address. Find your polling place online at myvote.wi.gov or call your municipal clerk.

What is a Voter ID?
Voters in Wisconsin must present a photo ID whenever they vote in person or they must have an uploaded photo ID on myvote.wi.org to request a mailed ballot.
Questions about photo ID? Go to bringit.wi.gov for more information or call or text 866-ID-2-VOTE.
Get a free Voter ID

These may be expired, but only since November 8, 2022.

Wisconsin DOT-issued driver license, even if driving privileges are revoked or suspended, or ID card, with or without a star in the right-hand corner.
Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card or driver license without a photo issued under the religious exemption.
Military ID card issued by a U.S. uniformed service.
U.S. passport.

These must be unexpired:

A veteran’s photo identification card issued by the Veterans Health Administration of the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs.
A certificate of naturalization that was issued not earlier than two years before the date of the election at which it is presented.
A driver licenseor or ID card receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT (valid for 45 days) (may be presented on a smartphone).
A temporary ID card receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT through the Identification Petition Process (IDPP) (valid for 60 days)

Or one of these:

Photo ID issued by an Indian tribe in Wisconsin, even if expired.
Photo ID 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 expired, you must also present a document that proves current enrollment.)

Questions about any of this?
Most answers may be found at myvote.wi.us.
Call your clerk during office hours.
Or, call or text the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin voter helpline at 608.285.2141

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How do I vote while I’m at college?
You have two choices:

Request a mailed ballot.

a. As soon as possible, go to MyVote.wi.gov and enter your name and birthdate. (If you have to register, use the address on your license or state ID.)

b. Click on Request Absentee Ballot. (Unless you have done this earlier, you will have to upload a photo of your photo ID.) Verify your name/address. Then select “I want my ballot mailed to a different address” and enter the address you are using at college. Complete your request.

c. As soon as you receive your ballot, line up a witness who is a resident of Wisconsin and 18 or older. Fill in your ballot. Place it in the enclosed envelope. Seal and sign the envelope, and then have your witness add their full address (street address, city, state, and zip code) and signature. [Contact your clerk if you are living out of state or internationally.]

d. Mail it back right away. You may track your ballot at MyVote.wi.us
Vote in person on Election Day.
Register and vote at the polling place associated with your college address. Read above How Do I Cast a Ballot (3).