Wisconsin Absentee Voter Guide 2010

Last updated October 21, 2009

Wisconsin Application for Absentee Ballot - click here to download

Deadlines

� Voter Registration Form: Postmarked at least 20 days before the election (by mail). 5pm one day before the election (in person). You may also register at the polls in person on Election Day.

� Absentee Ballot Application: Received by 5:00 PM on the Thursday before Election Day.

� Voted Absentee Ballot: Received by 8:00 PM Election Day.

Voter Registration

To register to vote in Wisconsin you must:

� be a citizen of the United States

� be a legal resident of Wisconsin, and the of the municipality (town, village or city) in which you register for at least 10 days preceding the election.

� be at least 18 years old by the next election

� not be currently under conviction for a felony, including probation or parole

� not be judicially declared mentally incompetent and ineligible to vote

� not have placed a bet or wager which depends on the outcome of the election

How to Register to Vote:

� Recommended: Go to: http://www.longdistancevoter.org/wisconsin and click on Voter Registration Widget. Enter your information, print and sign the completed form, and mail it to the address printed on the form.

� You can also download and complete the Wisconsin Voter Registration Form. Mail the completed form, along with your proof of residence, to your Municipal Clerk.

ID Requirements for First Time Voters:

If you are registering to vote for the first time in Wisconsin, and you register to vote by mail, you must submit "proof of residence" with your voter registration form. (You must also submit proof of residence if you register in person during the 20 days preceding the election or at the polls on Election Day.) Acceptable forms of proof of residence includes a copy of any one of the following: a current and valid Wisconsin driver's license; a current and valid Wisconsin I.D. card; any other official I.D. card or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body or unit; any employer-issued photo I.D. card, issued in the normal course of business, but not including a business card; a university, college or technical college fee card or I.D. card with your photo and current address (May be used even if the card does not contain the cardholder's address, if the educational institution provides a certified student list for use at the polling place); a utility bill (e.g., gas, electric, cable TV or telephone) for the period commencing not earlier than 90 days before election day; a bank statement; a real estate (i.e., property) tax bill or receipt for the current year or the year preceding the date of the election; a pay check or a government check or other document issued by unit of government. People who register in person may also show a current residential lease which is effective for a period that includes Election Day. You may not use your lease if you register by mail.

Voter Registration Verification:

You should receive written confirmation that your voter registration was processed in 2-3 weeks. Don't panic if you never receive your voter registration card: you don't actually need it to vote. If you not sure if your registration was processed - or if you simply can't remember if you're register to vote � check at: http://www.longdistancevoter.org/verify_voter_registration.

Absentee Voting

Good news! Any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot in Wisconsin.

How to Apply for an Absentee Ballot:

Download and complete Wisconsin's Application for an Absentee Ballot. Mail the completed application to your Municipal Clerk. Your request must be received by the clerk no later than 5:00 PM on October 28, 2010 for the 2010 general election.

ID Requirements for Absentee Voters:

You do not need to provide ID if you have already voted in Wisconsin at least once. If you are voting for the first time in Wisconsin you must submit proof of residency with your absentee ballot application (you don't need to do this if you submitted proof of residency with your voter registration form).

Acceptable forms of proof of residence includes a copy of any one of the following: a current and valid Wisconsin driver's license; a current and valid Wisconsin I.D. card; any other official I.D. card or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body or unit; any employer-issued photo I.D. card, issued in the normal course of business, but not including a business card; a university, college or technical college fee card or I.D. card with your photo and current address (May be used even if the card does not contain the cardholder's address, if the educational institution provides a certified student list for use at the polling place); a utility bill (e.g., gas, electric, cable TV or telephone) for the period commencing not earlier than 90 days before election day; a bank statement; a real estate (i.e., property) tax bill or receipt for the current year or the year preceding the date of the election; a pay check or a government check or other document issued by unit of government.

Absentee Ballot Instructions:

Complete your absentee ballot and sign where indicated. A witness must watch you complete your ballot, though the witness need not see how you have voted. Once completed place your ballot in the certification envelope provided to you with your ballot. You and your witness must both sign the certification envelope. The witness may be anyone who is a US citizen and over 18 years of age. Mail your completed ballot to your Municipal Clerk. The municipal clerk must receive your completed ballot by 8:00 PM on Election Day.

Military and Overseas Voters should check out the Overseas Vote Foundation. Long Distance Voter's forms and deadlines should only be used by voters with US mailing addresses.

Additional Information:
State Election Website:           http://elections.state.wi.us/index.asp
Email:                                     http://elections.state.wi.us/contact.asp
Local Election Officials:           Your Local Election Official is the best person to contact if you voting-related questions. They'll be able to provide up-to-date information on rules and deadlines.