Tomorrow is Election Day! What You Need to Know to Cast Your Ballot and Have it Counted

 For Release: Monday – November 2, 2020

Election Day has finally arrived: Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 3rd - the most important and consequential election in our lifetime. Your vote is your voice in this fragile democracy we live in and I don't have to tell you that your voice matters now, more than ever before. So, if you haven't yet cast your ballot by absentee voting, then prepare now for how you will vote tomorrow.

 

The Wisconsin Election Commission put out this guidance last week to all voters:  Important Things Voters Should Know for Election Day

 

If you have a mail-in absentee ballot that was mailed to you and you have not returned it yet, be sure to hand return your completed ballot TODAY. Do NOT mail it. All ballots need to be received no later than 8pm tomorrow on Election Day (and some drop boxes will close prior to 8pm.) Your clerk and myvote.wi.gov will have information about where you can take your ballot. Don't forget: The ballot envelope needs a witness signature and the address of the witness.

 

You can track your ballot through the official ballot tracker on MyVote. Don't see that your ballot was received? Contact your clerk for further information.

 

Also understand your options if you requested an absentee ballot but did not return it yet. 

If you are planning to vote in person at the polls, please take great care. Follow social distancing guidelines for your safety and the safety of others. Wear a mask. Consider bringing your own black or blue pen to mark your ballot. Be patient and safe. And read the information below so you are prepared when you show up to vote at your polling location. Polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. 

 

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 - like on your phone or tablet).

 

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. 

 

What if you don't have an acceptable ID to vote tomorrow? You can ask for AND vote with a provisional ballot. But, for your ballot to be counted, you MUST either come back to your polling place with an acceptable form of ID before it closes at 8:00 PM on Election Day OR bring your ID to your municipal clerk's office by 4:00 PM the Friday after the election (Friday, November 6th). If you don't have an acceptable ID for voting and need help getting one, contact the Voter Helpline 608-285-2141 for assistance.

 

Need a Ride to Your Polling Location to Vote? Call 414-246-1823

Souls to the Polls are arranging free rides for voters from anywhere served by Lyft and Uber in the state to your polling site and back home on Election Day. This free ride service includes taking a voter to an official ballot drop box to return your completed mailed absentee ballot - even today, the day before Election Day. So call to arrange your ride: 414-246-1823.

 

More transportation options for voters can be found on the Disability Rights Coalition website. Many of these services require advanced notice to arrange the rides.

 

Student Voters:

Students attending a university, college, or technical school in Wisconsin can find information to vote from the CC/WI webpage: Three Things College Students Need to Vote in Wisconsin.

 

Quarantined / Hospital Voting:

Given the unfortunate status of COVID throughout Wisconsin, voters who are quarantined or hospitalized will have to take special precautions to cast a ballot. The Wisconsin Election Commission has instructions and information for these voting situations.

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 processing 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.

 

Now you are all set. Go vote!

----------

Contact:

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