Frequently Asked Questions
Important Dates:
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd.
You can register to vote on Election Day.
Polls are open from 7am - 8pm. If you are in line by 8pm, you will be permitted to vote.
Early Voting begins on Tuesday, October 20th.
Times, dates, and locations will vary by municipality. Find IPAV options here.
What deadlines do I need to know for the General Election on Tuesday, November 3rd?
Are you registering by mail or online? The deadline is Wednesday, October 14th.
Are you registering in person during Early Voting? The deadline is Friday, October 30th at 5pm.
Are you registering in person on Election Day? You can register at your polling place when you go to vote until the polls close at 8pm!
Are you voting absentee by mail? Your city clerk must receive your ballot by Election Day Tuesday, November 3rd in order for your vote to count. Plan to request your absentee ballot, and mail it back, as early as possible.
What are my options for voting in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, there are three ways to vote:
1) Vote using an Absentee Ballot (by-mail voting/vote by-mail)
2) In-Person Absentee Voting (Early Voting)
3) Voting on Election Day (Tuesday, November 3rd)
Am I registered to vote in WI?
What documents do I need to register?
To register to vote in WI you are required to provide proof of residency.
Common proof of residency documents include: Current Residential Lease, Utility Bills, Student ID + Tuition Bill, Student Proof of Residency documents from your university/school (check with your school as this varies), or Wisconsin Driver’s Licenses (ONLY when address matches the address you’re registering at).
What ID do I need to vote?
You will need a valid voter photo ID to vote. Approved IDs include a Wisconsin driver’s license, a US passport, a student ID with a photo, 2-year expiration date, and signature or a school-issued voter ID. The address listed does not matter.
For the full list of acceptable Voter IDs see: Acceptable Photo ID Pictures.pdf
School-issued voter IDs are available for free at most Wisconsin schools, check with your school ID office for more information.
Where do I vote?
Early voting: Any In-Person Absentee Voting location within your municipality. Dates, times, and locations will vary. Explore your options here.
Election Day: At your assigned polling place based on the address used to register.
You can look up your polling location here - Find My Polling Place
Should I vote in Wisconsin even if I'm from another state?
If you go to school in Wisconsin and you are otherwise eligible to vote (meaning that you’re a US citizen, you’ve lived here for at least 28 days, you aren’t currently serving a felony sentence, and you haven’t placed a bet or wager on the outcome of the Election), then you may choose to vote either from your campus address in Wisconsin or your hometown address in a different state. The decision is up to you. Many students find that voting from their campus address in Wisconsin is preferable because they can do so in person and impact their college community. Registering to vote with your campus address is very easy.
Should I vote from my campus address or my hometown address if I’m from a different part of Wisconsin?
It’s up to you. Many students find that registering to vote from their campus address is preferable because they can register and vote in person at a convenient location, and they don’t have to worry about their absentee ballot getting stuck in the mail or having something impact their travel plans home to vote. Registering to vote with your campus address is very easy.
I have another question that isn’t listed here.
We’d like to help you! Email us at vote@wiscoproject.org and we’ll follow up with you.