Tuesday - March 22, 2022
How to be Sure You're Ready to Vote On or Before April 5th
Two weeks from today is Election Day - April 5th. And that means in-person absentee voting (also known as "early voting") begins today! Therefore, you don't need to wait until April 5th to vote with early voting options by mail and in-person balloting. Choose the option that is best for you and make sure you have a plan to vote. Then, help every voter you can to do the same.
Make sure you are registered to vote at your current address
Go to MyVote.wi.gov, and enter your name and date of birth to check your current voter registration status. 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.
If you find out that you are not already registered to vote at your current residence, you can still register to do so:
- In your Municipal Clerk’s Office. You can register in-person in your municipal clerk’s office up until the close of business on the Friday before the election in which you are planning to vote. For this Spring election, the last day to register in your clerk's office is next Friday, April 1st. You'll need to bring a proof of residence document to complete your registration and this document can be shown electronically (the link to proof of residence documents is below). You can find your clerk's office information here.
- At the Polls on Election Day. If you're unable to register by before the election, you can still register at your polling place on Election Day. You will need to present a proof of residence document when registering (again, this document can be shown electronically). If your Wisconsin driver’s license or state ID card has your current address, that’s all you need.
Casting an absentee ballot / Early Voting
Municipalities can begin early voting today, March 22nd, and must conclude by April 3rd. To find out where and when you can cast an early, in-person absentee ballot in your city/town/village, contact your local municipal clerk’s office. In-person early voting dates and times vary by municipality, and you can see your options at MyVote by clicking on "Vote Absentee" and filling in your information. Then click on the "Find my local absentee options" button to see your in-person early voting options. If you don't see any options, then contact your clerk for this information.
If you requested a mailed absentee ballot, return it as soon as possible by mail or by dropping it off at your clerk's office. Recently, rules for returning ballots have changed. Contact your clerk for specific information about ballot return. You can also track your ballot through the official ballot tracker on MyVote. If you still need to return your ballot by mail, don't wait and do it today.
If you haven't requested your absentee ballot by mail, it's best to choose another option to cast your ballot (in-person early vote or vote on Election Day). Your ballot needs to be returned to the clerk by Election Day, April 5th. Don't risk having your ballot not counted because it isn't returned in time, which could occur by making a late absentee ballot request.
All you want to know about absentee ballots (from how to fill them out to how they are counted) can be found here in these short videos created by the Wisconsin Election Commission.
And don't forget your photo ID
If you already have a Wisconsin driver's license or state ID card, then you're "ID ready." Just remember to bring it with you when you head to your polling place!
Check which other IDs are valid to use to vote at the official site: Bring It to the Ballot. Here you can also learn how to obtain a free state ID card to vote and review other ID information.
If you already have a Wisconsin driver's license or state ID card, then you're "ID ready." Just remember to bring it with you when you head to your polling place!
Check which other IDs are valid to use to vote at the official site: Bring It to the Ballot. Here you can also learn how to obtain a free state ID card to vote and review other ID information.
Are you a college student voting in Wisconsin? Or do you know a student who wants to vote in Wisconsin?
Here is important information from the Common Cause Wisconsin website to share:
Three Things College Students Need to Do To Vote in Wisconsin
Most students already have a Wisconsin driver's license or one of the other acceptable forms of photo ID for voting.
Students who do not have one of the other forms of acceptable ID for voting should look up their college/university on the appropriate list linked below to see if their student ID can be used as a photo ID to vote or if their school offers a special photo ID card for voting which you may need to obtain:
Here is important information from the Common Cause Wisconsin website to share:
Three Things College Students Need to Do To Vote in Wisconsin
Most students already have a Wisconsin driver's license or one of the other acceptable forms of photo ID for voting.
Students who do not have one of the other forms of acceptable ID for voting should look up their college/university on the appropriate list linked below to see if their student ID can be used as a photo ID to vote or if their school offers a special photo ID card for voting which you may need to obtain:
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.
Questions or Problems? There's assistance available!
Registering to vote, having the correct ID, finding your polling place...None of these things need to be intimidating or frightening, but they can be somewhat overwhelming. Fortunately, help is just a call or text away!
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, have assistance marking a ballot, and being able to vote 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 readily available! Call Election Protection at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) for support from nonpartisan election protection volunteers with questions or to report problems.
Make a plan to be a voter. And then go vote! There is still time to prepare and be voter ready however you choose to vote in this Election. But please participate. Your vote is your voice and it must be utilized to keep our elections free and fair.
All best to you,
Jay Heck
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Jay Heck
608/256-2686 (office)
608/512-9363 (cell)
608/512-9363 (cell)
Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
www.commoncausewisconsin.org
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
www.commoncausewisconsin.org
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