Attention all Wisconsin Voters! Today is the first day that you can begin to cast your ballot in person for the upcoming Primary Election on February 21st – followed by the all-important General Election on April 4th in which we will be choosing a new and pivotal Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice as well as for many important local officials for such as other judges, mayors, county executives, city council members and county supervisors, school board members and many other local level offices. All of these elected officials have an impact on your community and in your lives.
The eyes of the nation are on Wisconsin for this State Supreme Court election. The New York Times recently said that this is the nation’s most significant election during all of 2023! Make sure you are prepared and equipped to have your voice heard and your vote count by reading through the following information. Do it now because February 21st will be here before you know it.
Early voting starts today
If you’d like to cast an absentee ballot in person (aka, “early vote”) before Election Day, then now is the time. For the next two weeks, the option to cast an absentee ballot in person at designated sites throughout the state is available to all Wisconsin voters. Check with your clerk for locations, dates, and times for your village / town / city. Most municipalities will wrap up early voting by Friday, February 17th and a few will have early voting through Saturday, February 18th. Visit your municipal clerk’s website, contact your clerk, or search MyVote.wi.gov to find out about your options and opportunities to vote early.
Return your mailed ballot
If you have not yet returned your completed mailed ballot, do so NOW! Your ballot (sealed in the official envelope with your signature and a witness's signature and full address) needs to be returned to your clerk by Election Day! If you haven't mailed your ballot yet, mail it at least a week before Election Day—which is February 21st. Or, if you can, personally drop the ballot off at your clerk's office. Voters should check with their municipal clerk about their options. Visit MyVote.wi.gov to find your local clerk’s contact information and hours of operation. Track your ballot through the official ballot tracker at MyVote.
>>>IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ASSISTING WITH RETURNING A BALLOT<<<
If you are voting absentee by mail, carefully review the absentee voting instructions from your clerk that are included with your ballot. These instructions should explain ballot return assistance. If they state “only the voter may return their ballot” please contact Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW). Voters with a disability who need assistance may have someone return their absentee ballot other than their employer, agent of that employer, or officer or agent of their union. If your clerk says otherwise, contact Disability Rights Wisconsin by phone: 1-844-347-8683 or email: info@disabilityvote.org.
Voters with disabilities have the right to have ready access to any polling place. This includes the right to use an accessible voting machine, getting assistance marking and returning an absentee ballot, and voting curbside at a polling location. Additional online resources are also at the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition website.
It is up to the voter to determine if they need assistance mailing or delivering their ballot because of a disability. Election officials and your clerk cannot inquire about or try to verify a voter’s disability status. The person returning your ballot may also be the person who assists you with completing your ballot and/or who acts as your witness.
Know Your Ballot
Get to know who wants to represent you and which candidates best represent your values before you vote. The League of Women Voters has information about candidates at Vote411.org. Many local papers across the state will also publish candidate interviews prior to the election. WisPolitics recently held a candidate forum for the Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates that you can view here.
Your February ballot will have that all-important statewide election for an open seat for a new Justice on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and may, in your locale, also include important elections for offices such as City Council, Village President, Municipal and County Judges, School Board, Mayor, and County Supervisor. The more local the election, the more likely the people running in it may be people you know. These local elected positions will impact your public schools, public transit, property taxes, water quality, public housing and private housing zoning, public safety and policing and many other parts of your everyday, daily life. Your vote matters enormously in our state and local elections.
Voting at your polling location on Election Day – Tuesday, February 21st
Prepare now if you’re going to vote at your polling place on Election Day, Tuesday, February 21st. More information on what you need in order to vote on Primary Election Day can be found at the Common Cause WI Voting Resources page.
Need some help? Here are some great resources…
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.
If you experience any problems at the polls or have questions, do not hesitate to call the Election Protection at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) for support from nonpartisan election protection volunteers. They are there to help you navigate through any doubts or questions you may have.
Vote now or prepare to vote on February 21st. The choice is yours but either way, be sure to make your voice heard and have your vote count! February primary elections and even April general elections tend to have much lower voter turnout than November midterm and especially presidential year elections. What that means is that in effect, your vote in this coming February 21st primary and April 4th general election makes a bigger difference because fewer voters are participating. And the stakes in the outcome for Wisconsin and for the nation are enormous!
With some preparation now, you can ensure that you will have a voice this February 21st and April 4th in these critical elections. Share this information with family, friends, neighbors and even with strangers so that voter turnout will be robust and resounding.
On Wisconsin!
Jay Heck
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