What You Need to Know for Today’s Partisan Primary Election Day - August 9, 2022.

Tuesday - August 9, 2022

 
Make Your Voice Heard by Getting Out There and Voting!

​Today is primary election day in Wisconsin!  This is an opportunity for you to weigh in on which candidates will be on the ballot for the critical November 8th general election in Wisconsin through choices you make in the partisan primary election today.

If you have a mail-in absentee ballot that was mailed to you and you have not returned it yet, be sure to return your completed ballot. Contact your clerk to find out where you can hand-deliver your ballot today. All ballots need to be received no later than 8pm today – Election Day. Don't forget: The ballot envelope needs a witness signature and the address of that witness! More information about your absentee ballot can be found here.

If you are planning to vote in person at the polls, read the information below so you are prepared when you show up to vote at your polling location. All polls in Wisconsin are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

Bring your acceptable form of photo ID for voting

You are required to show a specific form of photo ID in order to 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 Wisconsin Election Commission list at Bring It to the Ballot to make sure you have what you need. If you don't have an acceptable ID for voting and need help getting one, contact the Voter ID Hotline 608-285-2141 for assistance.

What if you don't have an acceptable ID for voting today?

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 today OR bring your ID to your municipal clerk's office by 4:00 PM the Friday after the primary election (Friday, August 12th).

Know what's on your ballot

Wisconsin is an “open” primary state. Meaning, that Wisconsin does not require voters to register with a party and therefore, voters can choose their party preference on the ballot when they vote. BUT keep in mind when casting your partisan primary ballot, you must only choose one party and you must only vote for candidates of that party on this ballot. Read the ballot instructions carefully. Visit the Wisconsin Election Commission's What's on My Ballot page and type in your address to see a sample ballot.

You can register to vote on Election Day

You can register to vote on Election Day at your voting location. Being registered to vote means being registered at your current address. But if you moved within 28 days of Election Day, you must register and vote using your old address. Check to see if you are registered to vote at your current address. If you are not registered, be sure to bring a proof of residence document (hard copy or electronic version on your cell phone or tablet) when you go to the polls on Tuesday so that you can register there.

Know where your polling place is before you go

Polling places can change. To find out where to go to cast your ballot, visit the Find My Polling Place page on the My Vote Wisconsin website and type in your address. This year in particular voting locations may have changed since new districts were drawn after the redistricting process in 2021.

Get more information on the candidates

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.

Have questions or need some assistance?

Beyond the resources of your municipal clerk, help is just a call, text, or email 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, getting assistance marking a ballot, and using curbside voting. Call the Disability Rights Wisconsin Voter Hotline for assistance: 1-844-347-8683. Or email: info@disabilityvote.org. Additional online resources are also at the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition website.
• Contact Vote Riders if you need immediate assistance with a photo ID to vote. You can get free, in-state ID assistance ASAP from the online form.
  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.

Primary elections like today generally see a lower overall voter turnout than the November 8th general election will. That means that your voice and the choices you make today could have a significant and amplified impact on what the ballot in November will look like. So, if you possibly can, get out there and vote today! Voting helps to strengthen democracy in Wisconsin, and you will feel better for having done so. So, do it!

Thanks, and all best to you,

Jay Heck

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Jay Heck

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

Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
www.commoncausewisconsin.org