Consider Voting This Week: Make a plan and Get it Done!

 For Release: Monday – October 26, 2020

Consider Voting This Week: Make a plan and Get it Done!

We urge you to seriously consider picking a day this week to cast your ballot for the November 3rd Election!

 

Why this week? Because we do not want you to miss this chance to have your voice heard at the ballot box. And the sooner you get your vote in, the more certain you can be that it will be counted.

You can vote by mail-in absentee ballot, by in-person absentee ballot - “early voting,” or in person on Election Day. Make a plan! Look over the information in this message to make sure you have what you need to be able to vote in this, the most consequential election in our lifetime, and share this information with others to help them be an engaged, successful voter.

 

You have three ways to vote during the next eight days:

 

First way to vote: Mail-in Absentee Ballot

 

While you have until October 29th to request a mail-in ballot, we suggest you either vote on Election Day or "Early Vote" (see explanations below) because the likelihood of receiving and returning the ballot by the deadline are slim since as we are nearing Election Day. However, if you have yet to return your completed ballot, do so NOW. Your ballot (sealed in the official envelope with your signature and a witnesses signature and address) needs to be to your clerk by Election Day! If you haven't mailed your ballot yet, it is better to drop the ballot off at your clerk's office or contact your clerk about designated ballot drop boxes. You can also search MyVote for official drop box locations.  

 

Second Way to Vote: In-person Absentee Ballot (Early Vote)

 

If you’d like to vote before Election Day in person, check with your clerk on locations and times that are occuring now -- through the end of this week -- for your village / town / city. Casting your ballot early helps to minimize long lines on Election Day and helps with social distancing and staying safe. Visit your municipal clerk’s website, contact your clerk, or search MyVote to find out about opportunities to vote early.

 

Third Way to Vote: At your polling location on Election Day

 

Prepare now if you’re going to vote at your polling place next week on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3rd. Be safe. Wear a mask. Social distance. Make a plan. Here are some things to know:

 

• Registration: You can register to vote on Election Day at your voting location. (Find your polling place.) Being registered to vote means being registered at your current address. You need to have lived at your current address for at least 28 days prior to Election Day in order to register to vote in that election district or ward. You'll need to bring a proof of residence document to complete your registration (this document can be shown electronically).
• Photo ID: You are required to show a photo ID before you vote. If you have a Wisconsin driver's license or ID card, then you’re all set. Other forms of ID work too, and it’s good to check the official list of acceptable IDs at https://bringit.wi.gov to make sure you have what you need. 

 

Track your ballot: 

 

Track your ballot through the official ballot tracker on MyVote.

 

Information on the candidates and your ballot:

 

Get to know who wants to represent you and which candidate best represents your values before you vote. Find candidate and ballot information from the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin at Vote411. Or take a look at your official ballot through MyVote.

 

Election Results:

 

Every eligible voter should have their voice heard and their vote counted. It is going to take longer to count the votes and verify a winner in this year’s election — and that’s okay. As we have seen throughout this year, more voters are casting absentee ballots than ever before in Wisconsin. Absentee ballots take longer to count because of security measures to verify the accuracy of those ballots. Plus, in Wisconsin, election officials cannot start counting absentee ballots until the polls open on Election Day. Election integrity is more important than results reported on Election night. We need to be patient so election officials can take the time to make sure every eligible vote is counted accurately. 

 

Have questions or experiencing problems at the polls?

Call or text the WI Voter Helpline at 608-285-2141 and you will be connected to a nonpartisan person who can help answer all your questions. You can also request services such as getting assistance at the DMV to get an ID to vote or having someone witness your absentee ballot.

Voters with disabilities have the right to an accessible polling place. This includes the right to use an accessible voting machine, to assistance marking a ballot, and to voting curbside. Call the Disability Rights Wisconsin Voter Hotline for assistance: 1-844-347-8683.

If you experience problems at the polls or have questions, there is help. Call Election Protection at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) for support from nonpartisan election protection volunteers with questions or to report problems.

 

You should now have all the information you need to vote. Now do it! Let's go vote!

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Jay Heck

Executive Director
608/256-2686 (office)
608/512-9363 (cell)

Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 W. Johnson St., Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703