WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO HAVE YOUR VOTE COUNT
The 2023 “Spring” Primary Election Day is tomorrow - Tuesday, February 21, 2023. The eyes of the entire nation are on Wisconsin as voters statewide vote for a new Justice for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as well as for many important local offices (depending on where you live) including making initial primary election choices for other judges at all levels, for mayor, city or town council, county supervisor, school board and many other elected officials and ballot questions. These positions have an enormous impact on the lives of all Wisconsin citizens and your vote and voice really matters.
Tomorrow’s primary election will winnow from four to two the “final” candidates for the Wisconsin Supreme Court who will face off on April 4th and your choice tomorrow really matters. This is perhaps the most significant and consequential Wisconsin Supreme Court election in history and The New York Times and others have characterized this primary election for the court tomorrow and the final, general election on April 4th as the most important elections in the nation during all of 2023! Ensure that your voice is heard and that your vote is counted.
If you haven't yet cast your ballot by absentee voting, then prepare now for how you will vote in-person at your polling place tomorrow.
Mail-in Absentee Ballot Return
If you still have a mail-in absentee ballot that was mailed to you and you have not returned it yet, be sure to personally hand return your completed ballot TODAY. Do NOT mail it! All ballots need to be received no later than 8pm tomorrow on Election Day. Your clerk and myvote.wi.gov will have information about where you can take your ballot, and because today is Presidents Day and a federal holiday, this may impact whether your clerk's office is open today - so check with your clerk before you go. Don't forget: The ballot envelope needs a witness signature and the complete address of the witness.
REMINDER: Voters with a disability who need assistance may have someone return their absentee ballot.
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.
In-Person Voting at your Polling Location on Election Day
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. Polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Tuesday.
Polling Location
Polling places can change from election to election. To find out where to go to cast your ballot, visit the Find My Polling Place page on the MyVote Wisconsin website and type in your address.
Registration
You can register to vote on Election Day at your polling location. 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 a Wisconsin Department of Transportation-issued ID card, then you’re all set. Selected other forms of ID work too, and it’s a good idea to check the official list of acceptable IDs at Bring It to The Ballot 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, February 24th). If you don't have an acceptable ID for voting and need help getting one, call or text the VoteRiders helpline 866-ID-2-VOTE for assistance.
Your Ballot
You will find local and state races on your ballot. This will include the Wisconsin State Supreme Court Justice and may include City Council, Village President, Judges, Mayor, School Board, and other offices. (Find out what is on your ballot at MyVote). These offices and the people who serve in these roles have a direct impact on your life.
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.
College Students voting in Wisconsin
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
Have questions or need some assistance?
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 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. 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.
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 any questions you have or to report problems.
The health and vitality of our democracy and of our state and communities is completely dependent on the citizens who actively participate in keeping it alive and vibrant through their votes. Remember that each and every Wisconsin voter has an equal voice at the polling place. Exercise your precious right and ability to determine where your state and local community is headed. Vote!
On Wisconsin!
Jay Heck
608/512-9363 (cell)
152 Johnson St, Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
www.commoncausewisconsin.org
No comments:
Post a Comment