For Release: Thursday - October 30, 2014
As we head into the final days and hours before one of the most critical elections in Wisconsin's history – on Tuesday, November 4th – remember: YOU DO NOT NEED AN ID TO CAST A BALLOT IN THIS ELECTION IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED TO VOTE! The United States Supreme Court blocked implementation of Wisconsin's extreme and restrictive voter photo ID law on October 9th for this election. So do not let anyone tell you otherwise. Go vote!
Here are five more things you need to know and should pass on to family and friends:
1. The last day you can cast an absentee-in-person vote is Friday, October 31st (Halloween day) up until 5 PM or when your local municipal clerk's office closes, whichever is later. Hours vary – for example, the municipal clerk offices in Milwaukee and Madison will close at 7 PM on the 31st. To find out where you can early vote and to confirm your clerk's office hours, go to the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board's My Vote WI website and search for your voter record or do an address search. You can also access this list of all Wisconsin municipal clerk's offices to get contact information in order to find out what hours you can cast an in-person absentee ballot on October 31st.
2. If you are planning to vote on Election Day (November 4th), make sure you know ahead of time where your polling place is. Perhaps the location has been moved since the last time you voted? Perhaps not. Go here to check and make sure!
Again, NO PHOTO ID IS NEEDED TO VOTE ON NOVEMBER 4th (OR TO EARLY VOTE) if you are currently registered to vote. If you are not currently registered to vote, you can easily do so until close of business on October 31st at your municipal clerk's office or on Election Day at your polling place. You will need to bring: a document – either hard copy or electronic (on your cellphone/tablet/laptop) – that proves you live within your voting district (e.g., a recent utility bill, bank statement, pay stub) and either the number and expiration date of your Wisconsin driver's license or Wisconsin DOT-issued ID card or the last four digits of your social security number (only if you don't have a WI license/ID card).
Locate these materials now, so you are not searching around for them on Election Day!
4. If you would like to early vote (by close of business on Friday, October 31st) or want to vote on November 4th and you need a free ride
to your polling place, CC/WI has compiled a statewide listing of who you can contact to help you get to your polling place. Are you (or is someone you know) willing to give someone a ride to the polls? Please let us know and we will add your/their contact information to the list!
5. Common Cause in Wisconsin is once again partnering with the nonpartisan Election Protection coalition, led by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.
The primary goal of the Election Protection coalition is to provide "guidance, information and help to any American, regardless of who that voter is casting a ballot for."
With the very recent U.S. Supreme Court's ruling blocking implementation of Wisconsin's voter photo ID law, we expect some confusion over whether or not voters will need to show an ID in order to vote. If you arrive at the polls and are asked to show photo ID, encounter other problems or have questions, call 1-866-OUR-VOTE.
Election Protection’s highly-trained legal volunteers are available to assist voters with any questions or problems, no matter how simple or complex. Voters may call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) toll-free with any questions or issues that may arise. This English language hotline is available now and will be staffed live from 9AM– 8PM CST on Election Day. Spanish-speaking voters may seek assistance through the 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (1-888-839-8682) hotline.
Please spread this information around to family and friends, and make sure you vote on or before Election Day!
CONTACT:
Jay Heck
608/256-2686 (office)
608/512-9363 (cell)
Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 W. Johnson St., Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
608/256-2686
Want Good Government?
Join Common Cause in Wisconsin!
www.CommonCauseWisconsin.org
No comments:
Post a Comment