Many Wisconsin voters are under the impression that they must have a good reason to present to election officials in order to be “allowed” to vote via absentee ballot or to vote early (that is, prior to Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6). Voting doesn’t require an excuse from your doctor or parents; you can vote in person at a polling station, by mail, by fax (!) or at your local municipal clerk’s office without need to explain your choice to anyone. But, there are certain rules and deadlines you must be aware of. The foremost is that you must be registered to vote. Even if you think you are, it’s a good idea to check before it’s too late. You can do both by visiting myvote.wi.gov/en-us/registertovote.
We hear a lot about “early voting” these days, but what exactly is it? It’s in-person absentee voting; contact your local municipal clerk’s office for dates, hours and locations for early voting, as these change from place to place throughout Wisconsin. A registered voter can visit his or her municipal clerk’s office (or other designated early voting location) in order to request a ballot; they will need to show an acceptable photo ID. Be prepared to vote right then and there, because when you are “early voting,” your ballot must be completed, sealed in the envelope provided and returned to the clerk when you receive it. By the time you read this, early voting will have begun in all Wisconsin municipalities.
|
|
• Thursday, Nov. 1, is the deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail for all regular and permanent overseas voters. Your request must be received by your municipal clerk’s office no later than 5 p.m. Registered voters can download the application by visiting elections.wi.gov/forms/el-121-english.
• Friday, Nov. 2, is the deadline to request an absentee ballot for all indefinitely confined and military voters. Your request must be received by your municipal clerk no later than 5 p.m. Friday is also the deadline to register to vote in your municipal clerk’s office. Voters may register in-person in their community’s municipal clerk’s office during their normal business hours. Finally, this is also the last day to early vote (vote in-person absentee) at your local clerk’s office for most Wisconsin municipalities (but not the City of Milwaukee); check with your local clerk’s office.
• Sunday, Nov. 4, is the deadline to early vote (vote in-person absentee) in the City of Milwaukee at the Zeidler Municipal Building and at several other locations.
• Tuesday, Nov. 6, from 7 a.m.-8 p.m., you can register to vote at your local polling place on Election Day. Where you live determines where you can go to cast your ballot. If you’re not sure where to go, enter your address at myvote.wi.gov/en-us. If you recently moved, you must vote at the polling place for your new address if you’ve resided there for at least 10 days; and, yes, you will have to register first. (If you moved within Wisconsin less than 10 days before Election Day, you’ll have to vote at your previous address’ polling place.) Election Day is also the deadline for voters to return an absentee ballot. If you have already received an absentee ballot, you must return your absentee ballot by mail or by personal delivery to your municipal clerk.
