How to vote in Wisconsin
If you register to vote by mail, you must send a photo copy of your proof‐of‐residence along with your voter registration form. Your proof of residence is an official document that shows your full name and Wisconsin address. You could include a photocopy of your Wisconsin driver license or state ID card. You could also include a photocopy of a recent utility bill, bank statement, paystub, or any recent government document that shows your name and address. A full list of acceptable documents is available at: https://elections.wi.gov.
If you forget to send this document, you will likely have to register again at the polls on Election Day and show your proof of residency then.
On this page
Wisconsin voter registration guide
- Register to vote (online): 20 days before Election Day
- Register to vote (by mail): Postmarked by 20 days before Election Day
- Register to vote (in person): Election Day
- If you can't remember if you're registered to vote, or you want to make sure your information is correct, you can check your Wisconsin registration using the Wisconsin voter registration lookup site.
- If you're not registered to vote, or you need to update your voter registration information, follow the instructions below.
To register in Wisconsin you must:
- be a citizen of the United States
- be a resident of Wisconsin for at least 28 days
- be 18 years old by Election Day
- if you have been convicted of a felony, you must have completed parole and probation
- not be incapable of understanding the objective of the elective process or be under guardianship
- If you register to vote by mail, you must send a proof‐of‐residence document with your complete first and last name and residential address, such as a copy of your current and valid Wisconsin driver license or state ID card, real estate tax bill, utility bill no older than 90 days, bank statement, paycheck or paystub, or a check or document issued by any government agency. A full list of acceptable documents is available at elections.wi.gov. If you forget to send this document, you will likely have to register again at the polls on Election Day and show your proof of residency then.
You can register to vote online if you have a Wisconson driver license, driver permit, or nondriver photo ID card.
- Visit the Wisconsin online voter registration site.
- Fill out all the required fields.
- You will be registered to vote as soon as you finish the workflow.
- You should receive your voter registration card in the mail within 2-3 weeks. If not, you might want to follow up with your local election office.
- The deadline to register to vote online is 20 days before Election Day.
- Download and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
- Box 6 - ID Number: Enter your Wisconsin driver license or DOT-issued ID card number. If you don't have one, enter the last 4 digits of your social security number. If you don't have any of these numbers, write "NONE" in the box.
- Box 7 - Choice of Party: Not required
- Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Not required
- Print, date, and sign the form. If you do not have a printer, you can print the form out at any local library. If you do not have a stamp, you can buy one from any grocery store: just ask the cashier to sell you one.
- Mail your voter registration form to the mailing address below. For faster delivery, send the form directly to your local election office.
- Your voter registration form must be postmarked by 20 days before Election Day.
- Contact your local election office to find where to register to vote in person.
Bring your Wisconsin driver's license or state ID card with you. If you don't have one, bring one photo ID issued by any state or the Federal Government, and bring one document that shows your name and current address. Acceptable documents include a recent utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, residential lease, or any government document that shows your name and address.
- Summary: Wisconsin has Election Day registration. You can register and vote on Election Day.
- Where to go:
Go to your designated voting location. Click here to find out where to vote.
- What to bring:
Bring your Wisconsin driver's license or state ID card with you. If you don't have one, bring one photo ID issued by any state or the Federal Government, and bring one document that shows your name and current address. Acceptable documents include a recent utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, residential lease, or any government document that shows your name and address.
- Need help? Contact your local election office if you have questions.
Voting rights are restored upon completion of prison, parole, and probation.
- You cannot vote while incarcerated.
- You cannot vote while on parole.
- You cannot vote while on probation.
- You can vote upon completion of your sentence.
- Financial obligations:
- parole fees
- probation fees
- Please visit Restore Your Vote for additional information.
Wisconsin absentee and mail ballot guide
Absentee ballots and mail ballots are the same thing, and the process for getting one is straight forward.
- Request your ballot by the deadline
- Receive your in ballot in the mail
- Return your ballot by the deadline
- Earliest day to apply: January 1
- Request deadline (online): 5 days before Election Day
- Request deadline (by mail): Received by 5 days before Election Day
- Request deadline (in person): The exact deadline varies municipality. Please contact your Wisconsin clerk to find out more. [Click here to find their contact information]
- Deadline to return your ballot (by mail): Received by Election Day
- Deadline to return your ballot (in person): Received by Election Day
Any registered Wisconsin voter can request an absentee ballot and vote by mail.
- Visit the Wisconsin absentee ballot website.
- Fill out all of the required information.
- Hit save or submit when you are done.
- The deadline to apply online is 5 days before Election Day.
- Download the Wisconsin absentee ballot application.
- Fill out all of the required fields.
- Print the application.
- Sign and date your application. This is very important.
- Mail or hand-deliver your completed application directly to your local election office as soon as possible, but no later than the deadline.
- If it’s close to the deadline, call your local election office and see if they will let you submit your application via email or fax.
- Your application must be received by 5 days before Election Day.
- Visit your local election office.
- Ask the clerk to give you an absentee ballot application.
- Fill out all of the required fields.
- Sign and date your application.
- The deadline to apply in person is The exact deadline varies municipality. Please contact your Wisconsin clerk to find out more. [Click here to find their contact information].
- Carefully read and follow the instructions, and fill out all required fields.
- Sign and date the outside envelope.
- Mail or hand-deliver your ballot to your local election office.
- If you mail your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
- If you hand-deliver your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
- If you miss the deadline – or forget to sign the outside envelope – your vote will not be counted.
- ID required when requesting a mail-in ballot:
- Online applications: you will need to upload a photo of your ID if you are voting in Wisconsin for the first time. Acceptable forms of ID include any ID issued by the State of Wisconsin or the Federal Government, or a non-expired student ID card issued by an accredited Wisconsin college or university.
- Paper applications: you will need to include a photocopy of your ID if you are voting in Wisconsin for the first time. Acceptable forms of ID include any ID issued by the State of Wisconsin or the Federal Government, or a non-expired student ID card issued by an accredited Wisconsin college or university.
- ID required when returning a mail-in ballot:
Your signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match. If you forget to sign the return envelope, your ballot might be rejected. You must also have your voted ballot signed by a witness who is at least 18 years old.
Track your ballot here: Wisconsin absentee ballot tracker
Ballot curing is the process of resolving any problems with your absentee or mail ballot to ensure that your vote is counted. After tracking your ballot, contact your local election office to fix any issues that have been noted.
- Your ballot will be rejected if you forget to sign it, if your signature does not match the one the state has on file for you, or if your ballot is not signed by a witness.
- You must fix these issues by 8:00 pm on Election Day for your vote to count.
Some states have special procedures that allow you to obtain an emergency ballot if a medical or other emergency occurs after the standard absentee ballot application window.
Emergency Ballot Rules
If you are hospitalized, you may apply for an absentee ballot or have someone apply on your behalf. If you meet the registration requirement, but are not currently registered to vote, you may complete a voter registration form at the same time as you apply for a ballot.
Dates & Deadlines
- Emergency ballot request ends 5PM Election Day
- Emergency ballot return deadline is close of polls Election Day at your polling location or 8PM to the municipal clerk in some jurisdictions. Ballots may be returned by mail or in person.
Contact your local election office
Wisconsin early voting guide
- Early voting starts: Varies by municipality
- Early voting ends: Varies by municipality
You must show a photo ID issued by the State of Wisconsin or the Federal Government when voting in person. You can also show a tribal ID. You can show a student ID as long as it was issued by an accredited Wisconsin college or university, and shows your name, photo, signature, issue date, and expiration date. If your student ID is expired, you must prove that you are currently enrolled in the school by showing a current enrollment verification letter, class schedule, tuition fee receipt, or certified campus housing list that shows your name.
Wisconsin voter ID guide
You must show a photo ID issued by the State of Wisconsin or the Federal Government when voting in person. You can also show a tribal ID. You can show a student ID as long as it was issued by an accredited Wisconsin college or university, and shows your name, photo, signature, issue date, and expiration date. If your student ID is expired, you must prove that you are currently enrolled in the school by showing a current enrollment verification letter, class schedule, tuition fee receipt, or certified campus housing list that shows your name.
- Online applications: you will need to upload a photo of your ID if you are voting in Wisconsin for the first time. Acceptable forms of ID include any ID issued by the State of Wisconsin or the Federal Government, or a non-expired student ID card issued by an accredited Wisconsin college or university.
- Paper applications: you will need to include a photocopy of your ID if you are voting in Wisconsin for the first time. Acceptable forms of ID include any ID issued by the State of Wisconsin or the Federal Government, or a non-expired student ID card issued by an accredited Wisconsin college or university.
Your signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match. If you forget to sign the return envelope, your ballot might be rejected. You must also have your voted ballot signed by a witness who is at least 18 years old.
You can register to vote online if you have a Wisconson driver license, driver permit, or nondriver photo ID card.
Bring your Wisconsin driver's license or state ID card with you. If you don't have one, bring one photo ID issued by any state or the Federal Government, and bring one document that shows your name and current address. Acceptable documents include a recent utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, residential lease, or any government document that shows your name and address.
Local election office
Contact your local election office if you have questions.
Statewide election office
This is the statewide agency that is ultimately responsible for Wisconsin elections. You can contact them with questions, but your local election office will probably respond faster.
Wisconsin Elections Commission 212 East Washington Avenue, Third Floor P.O. Box 7984 Madison, WI 53707‐7984