The right to vote is both a privilege and a responsibility. Voting is a right none of us can afford to lose.
In Wisconsin any voter can choose to cast their ballot one of three ways:
- Absentee ballot by mail
- In-person absentee ballot (aka early voting) at an officially designated site beginning two weeks before Election Day
- At your polling location on Election Day
If you think there is a chance you won’t make it to the polls on Election Day or you just like the convenience of voting from your residence with a mailed ballot or want to avoid lines on Election by voting early by in-person absentee ballot, then find out about how to absentee vote in Wisconsin.
But don’t I need an excuse?
No, you do not need a reason or excuse, like being out of town on Election Day, to vote by absentee ballot. Any Wisconsin voter who wishes to cast an absentee ballot may do so either in-person during the early voting period or by mail.
Absentee Voting By Mail
Before an absentee ballot can be sent to you, you must already be registered to vote. Find out if you’re registered at MyVote.WI.gov, select “Register to vote,” and enter your name and date of birth. If you are not registered at your current address, see the information on voter registration options and deadlines here.
By Mail. If you are a registered Wisconsin voter, you can download the Application For Absentee Ballot, fill out the form and mail it to your municipal clerk’s office. With very few exceptions (e.g., you are indefinitely confined, live permanently overseas), you must also include a copy of your acceptable photo ID with your absentee ballot request (Information on the Photo ID needed to vote in WI at BringIt.wi.gov.)
By Email or Fax. You can also request an absentee ballot by sending an email or fax to your municipal clerk that includes:
- Your full name;
- Voting address;
- Mailing address;
- The election in which are voting;
- A copy of your photo ID (if you have not provided it with a previous absentee ballot request).
Your absentee ballot request must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Thursday before the election in order for an absentee ballot to be sent to you. However, we recommend making this request as soon as possible so you have time to receive, complete, and return your ballot in time to be counted.
Your completed absentee ballot must be delivered to your municipal clerk’s office no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day. The U.S. Postal Service recommends absentee ballots be mailed one week before Election Day to arrive in time. However, we recommend putting your ballot in the mail no later than 10 days before Election Day to be sure it is received in time. You can also return your mailed ballot to your municipal clerk .
Early In-Person Absentee Voting
That depends on where you live, since each city, village and town in Wisconsin is responsible for setting the dates, hours and locations for in-person absentee voting within their municipality. To get the latest information on dates, hours and locations for in-person absentee voting where you live in Wisconsin, contact your municipal clerk.
You will need to bring an acceptable forms of photo ID for voting.
For more information about photo ID required to vote in Wisconsin – and how to get a free ID if you don’t have an ID acceptable for voting – visit the Wisconsin Elections Commission official site: Bring It to the Ballot.
Make sure NOW that you are registered to vote at your current address – go to MyVote.WI.gov, select “Register to vote,” and enter your name and date of birth.
If you’re not already registered to vote at your current residence, find out what you need and how to register to vote here.
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