Election day is Nov. 5: Here’s your Wisconsin voting guide for the 2024 election
Before heading to the polls, here’s what you need to know about registering, early and absentee voting, photo IDs and more.
Wisconsin voters will cast some of the most important ballots in the 2024 presidential election. Before you head to the polls, here’s what to know about voting in the Badger State.
When is the election and what’s on the ballot?
The election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
On the ballot will be elections for president, a U.S. Senate seat, all eight U.S. House seats, all 99 state Assembly seats, 16 of the 33 state Senate seats, and some county offices. There will also be a constitutional amendment question for voters statewide.
How to register to vote
In Wisconsin, while you can register to vote in person at your polling place on Election Day, you can register ahead of time online or by mail by Oct. 16, or in person at your municipal clerk’s office by 5 p.m. on Nov. 1.
To register in person you’ll need an accepted form of ID, such as a valid Wisconsin driver’s license or U.S. passport, and proof of residence, such as your lease or a current utility bill that states your name and address.
You can check whether you’re registered at your current residence and find your polling place at MyVote.wi.gov.
What do I need to bring to the polls?
Wisconsin law requires voters to show a valid photo ID when voting. This ID does not need to show your current address, and poll workers will check the type of ID and your name and photograph and will make sure the ID has not expired.
Acceptable forms of ID include a Wisconsin driver’s license, U.S. passport or a military ID. To read more about which IDs are accepted for voting, visit bringit.wi.gov.
When does early voting start?
Early in-person voting can begin in Wisconsin on Oct. 22 and end Nov. 3, but exactly when it’s available depends on your municipality. Check with your municipal clerk to find out the hours and locations for early voting in your community.
Can I vote by mail?
Yes. Anyone can vote absentee by mail in Wisconsin, and you don’t need a reason.
The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is Oct. 31. You can request one at MyVote.wi.gov, but election officials recommend not waiting until the deadline because it can take time for your ballot to reach you.
Once you receive your ballot, you must have a witness verify that you filled out your own ballot. Both you and the witness will sign the certified envelope that you will use to return your ballot, which will be pre-addressed and pre-postaged.
Mail-in ballots must be returned no later than the poll closing time of 8 p.m. on Election Day. You can mail the ballot back to your municipal clerk; the U.S. Postal Service recommends doing so at least one week before Election Day to make sure it arrives on time.
You can also return your ballot in person at your municipal clerk’s office or at your polling place on Election Day. If your community has a secure drop box to collect absentee ballots, you can use that to return your ballot.You can track your mail-in ballot every step of the way. After you request it, you can use MyVote.wi.gov to see its status until you receive it. Then, after you mail it back, you can track it to make sure it makes it to your clerk’s office and is processed.
