Updated Voting Instructions for November 4, 2014 Elections – No Photo ID Required for Voting!
U.S. Supreme Court Decision Blocks Wisconsin Voter Photo ID Law
Late Thursday, October 9, 2014, the United States Supreme Court issued an order blocking implementation of Wisconsin’s voter photo ID law for the November 4, 2014 General Election.
More information about the impact of this decision will be posted as soon as it becomes available.
Information stating that voter photo ID is in effect for the November 4, 2014 General Election should be disregarded.
Questions about Voting?
Contact your municipal clerk’s Office(https://myvote.wi.gov/), or search the list of all Wisconsin municipal clerks(http://gab.wi.gov/clerks/directory).
Your municipal clerk will have the most up-to-date information about voting in your community.
Wisconsin’s Voter Information Center
Wisconsin’s Government Accountability Board (G.A.B.) (https://myvote.wi.gov/)works with municipal clerks to assure the latest and most accurate information is used to run elections. This site gives you access to general resources – pamphlets, guides and detailed information(http://gab.wi.gov/voters/resources), candidates and referendums on local ballots(http://gab.wi.gov/elections-voting/2014/fall).
Absentee Voting & In-person Voting at your municipal clerk’s office (http://gab.wi.gov/voters/absentee)
I want to vote absentee
Under Wisconsin law, voters do not need a reason or excuse, such as being out of town on Election Day, to vote absentee. Any voter who prefers to vote by absentee ballot may request one. You have several options for requesting an absentee ballot and casting your vote.
Request an Absentee Ballot by Mail
If you are a registered Wisconsin voter, you can download the Application For Absentee Ballot (GAB-121). Just complete the form and mail it to your municipal clerk’s office. You can find your clerk at MyVote (WI: myvote.wi.gov) by searching for your voter record or performing an address search. You can also find your clerk by searching through the list of all Wisconsin municipal clerks. Your application must be received by the clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Thursday before the election in order for an absentee ballot to be SENT to you.
If you are not already registered, you will need to register to vote before an absentee ballot can be sent to you.
Military and Overseas voters have additional options for absentee ballot delivery. Click here for Military. Click here for Overseas.
Request an Absentee Ballot by E-Mail or Fax
Regular Wisconsin voters may also request that a ballot be sent to them by sending an e-mail or fax to their municipal clerk containing the same basic information found on the GAB-121. This request must be made no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Thursday before the election in order for an absentee ballot to be SENT to you. Contact your municipal clerk for more information.
Options and Deadlines for Returning Your Absentee Ballot
- U.S. Postal Service: Your completed absentee ballot must be postmarked no later than Election Day and received by the municipal clerk no later than 4 p.m. on the Friday after the election.
- Other delivery (FedEx, hand-delivery, etc.): Your completed absentee ballot must be delivered to the municipal clerk no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day
In-Person Absentee Voting at your Municipal Clerk’s Office
Early Voting: October 20 to 31
You can also vote absentee at your local municipal clerk’s office. In-person absentee voting (also known as early voting) runs on weekdays for two weeks before an election, ending at 5 p.m. or the close of business (whichever is later) on the Friday before the election. For the 2014 General Election, the dates are: October 20 to 31.
Please check with your municipal clerk for office hours. Early voting is no longer permitted on weekends.
You can find your clerk at MyVote WI: myvote.wi.gov by searching for your voter record or performing an address search. You can also find your clerk by searching through the list of all Wisconsin municipal clerks.
If you apply for an absentee ballot in your municipal clerk’s office, vote your ballot immediately, seal your ballot in the proper envelope, and return it to a member of the clerk’s staff. No ballots may be taken from the clerk’s office.
If you have questions, please contact your municipal clerk.
Voter Registration
All voters must now show a proof of residence document to complete their registration, regardless of when they register, Kennedy* said.
That can include a valid driver license or state ID card with a current address. Anyone who does not have a driver license or state ID card can use a number of other documents that include the person’s name and current address. Acceptable documents include a residential lease, a utility bill (including telephone or cell phone), property tax bill, bank statement (not a credit card bill), paycheck, or other government-issued check or document. A full list is available at http://gab.wi.gov/publications/voter-guides/proof-of-residence. When registering in person at the clerk’s office or the polling place, the proof of residence document can be displayed on a computer screen, including laptops, tablets and smart phones.
Kennedy noted that proof of residence is different than voter photo ID, which the U.S. Supreme Court halted for the November election on October 9. “You may use a valid driver license or state ID card for proof of residence when you register to vote,” Kennedy said. “But you are not required to show a photo ID to get your ballot.”
Elections Division Administrator Michael Haas reminded voters that “early voting” starts next week. Voters will be able to cast in-person absentee ballots in the clerks’ office starting Monday, October 20 through Friday, October 31. There is no early voting on weekends. Voters should check with their municipal clerk’s office for office hours. Some clerks in smaller towns may not have regular office hours, but can arrange in-person absentee voting by appointment.
*Kevin J. Kennedy, Government Accountability Board Director and General Counsel.