VOTER REGISTRATION

HOW TO REGISTER TO VOTE

As of January 1, 2006, all municipalities in Wisconsin require voter registration prior to a person being allowed to vote.  The federal "Help American Vote Act of 2002" requires any person registering to vote to:

Supply his or her Wisconsin Department of Transportation - issued driver's license number.  If the elector has not been issued a Wisconsin driver's license, he/she must provide the last 4 digits of their Social Security Number OR their Wisconsin state ID card number.  If the elector does not have a current, valid Wisconsin driver’s license, Wisconsin state ID card, or Social Security Number, the applicant may indicate this by filling in the appropriate circle on the registration form.  (Box 2 on Form EB-131)  THE REGISTRATION CANNOT BE PROCESSED UNTIL THE ELECTOR PROVIDES THIS INFORMATION.

If the voter has a current, valid Wisconsin driver’s license but does not know the number and did not bring it to the polling place, poll workers should allow the voter to vote by provisional ballot. (Note: the voter CANNOT use the last 4 digits of their Social Security Number if he or she has been issued a Wisconsin driver’s license). The provisional ballot will not be counted until the voter either:

a) Brings his or her driver’s license number to his or her polling place before the polls close at 8:00 pm on Election Day; or

b) Transmits (via fax, email, telephone call or personal visit) his or her driver’s license number to the municipal clerk before 4:00 pm on the day after the Election. 

Anyone wishing to vote in the state of Wisconsin has three options to register:

  1. BY MAIL:  Download the Application for Voter Registration (EB131), complete the form and mail it into the municipal clerk's office.  List of Wisconsin Municipal Clerks [alphabetical by county]  The application must be postmarked no later than the 20th day (3rd Wednesday) before the election. (For the February Non-Partisan Primary, that date is Wednesday, January 30, 2008, and for the April General Election that date is Wednesday, March 12, 2008.)

PLEASE NOTE:  State and federal law now requires that any first-time voter submitting a registration application by mail provide a copy of an acceptable identifying document that provides proof of residence.  (A “first-time voter” is an individual who has not voted in an election in Wisconsin.) Acceptable forms of proof of residence are outlined below. Please note that first-time voters registering by mail may not use a residential lease as proof of residence. The copy of the form of proof of residence must be included when submitting the registration application.  If a copy of proof of residence is not included, the elector will be required to supply it before being issued a ballot at the polling place or before being issued an absentee ballot in the municipal clerk’s office.

  1. IN PERSON: Register in the municipal clerk's office up to 5:00 PM or the close of business whichever is later on the day before the election.  (For the February Non-Partisan Primary, that date is Monday, February 18, 2008 and for the April General Election that date is, Monday, March 31, 2008.)  Note: after the BY MAIL deadline, an elector voting in person in the clerk's office is required to present acceptable proof of residence as outlined below.

  1. AT THE POLLING PLACE ON ELECTION DAY:  If you wish to register to vote at your polling place, you must bring proof that you have lived at your present location for at least 10 days preceding the election. For purposes of voter registration, acceptable forms of proof of residence must include: 

a.                   A current and complete name, including both the given and family name; and

b.                  A current and complete residential address, including a numbered street address, if any, and the name of a municipality.

**Forms with an expiration date must be valid on Election Day.

PROOF OF RESIDENCE: The following constitute acceptable Proof-of-Residence if the document contains the information specified above:

  1. A current and valid Wisconsin driver’s license.

  2. A current and valid Wisconsin identification card.

  3. Any other official identification card or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body or unit.

  4. 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.

  5. A real estate tax bill or receipt for the current year or the year preceding the date of the election.

  6. A residential lease which is effective for a period that includes Election Day (NOT for first-time voters registering by mail).

  7. A university, college or technical institute fee card (must include photo).

  8. A university, college or technical institute identification card (must include photo).

  9. A gas, electric or telephone service statement (utility bill) for the period commencing not earlier than 90 days before Election Day.

  10. Bank statement.

  11. Paycheck.

  12. A check or other document issued by a unit of government.

 
 

Return to District Home Page