Recent Changes to Wisconsin Election Laws

Photo Identification

Beginning in 2010, you cannot receive a ballot until you show one of the following forms of photo ID.  Your photo ID does not need to show a current address.

Acceptable Forms of Voter ID:

• Unexpired Wisconsin driver’s license or state ID receipt
• Wisconsin driver’s license expiring after 11/2/2010
• Wisconsin DOT-issued photo ID card expiring after 11/2/2010
• U.S. passport expiring after 11/2/2010
• Military ID card expiring after 11/2/2010
• Certificate of naturalization issued within the last 2 years
• ID card issued by a federally recognized Indian Tribe in Wisconsin
• Unexpired ID issued by a Wisconsin accredited university or college which must contain issuance date, student signature, and expiration date within 2 years of issuance, along with proof of enrollment.

If you are eligible to vote but do not have a Wisconsin ID care, you may obtain a free ID for the purpose of voting.  You need to check a box on the DMV application to indicate that you need the ID for voting purposes. We recommend that you apply as soon as possible.

Changes in Absentee Voting

Absentee voting in the clerk’s office is now restricted to the two weeks before an election.  However, absentee voting in the clerk’s now ends at 5 PM on the Friday before the election.

The new law prohibits absentee voting the Saturday, Sunday or Monday before an election.

Absentee Voters in the clerk’s office must present the same type of photo ID required at the poles.

Absentee Ballot Requests

Absentee ballot requests sent by mail must be accompanied by a photocopy of an acceptable form of voter ID.  Once you have sent the clerk’s office a photocopy of your ID, you will not need to send photocopies with future absentee ballot requests.

If submitting an absentee request via fax or e-mail, you must return a photocopy of your acceptable ID in your absentee envelope with the original signed request for an absentee ballot.

Photo ID Exemptions

Photo ID is not required for the following absentee voters:

• Military voters
• Voters who are permanently overseas

Photo ID will not be required but will be replaced by alternative documentation requirements for:

• Voters on the permanent absentee list because they are indefinitely confined
• Nursing home residents and other voters who have ballots delivered by a Special Voter Deputy

Hospitalized Voters

Hospitalized voters may appoint an agent to pick up their ballot from the clerk’s office.  The agent must present the hospitalized voter’s photo ID at the clerk’s office.

Provisional Ballots

Voters who are required but unable to provide photo ID will become provisional voters.

Provisional ballots are not counted unless the voter provides the clerk’s office with an acceptable photo ID by 4 PM the Friday after the election.

Signing the Poll Book

Effective immediately, voters must sigh or make their mark on the poll book in order to obtain a ballot.  The poll book now contains a signature block for each voter.  Although there are two identical books, only one poll book needs to be signed.

Voters unable to sign the poll book because of a disability are exempt from this requirement.  If this applies to you, simply tell the Election Inspectors that you are unable to sign because of a disability.  You do not need to disclose the nature of your disability to the Election Inspectors or to any observers.  Election Inspectors will write “exempt” in your signature block.

If a voter fails to sign the poll book, except for exempt voters, they will not receive a ballot.

Voter Registration Changes

You now must reside at your address for 28 consecutive days to be eligible to vote, and you may no longer use a corroborating witness as proof of residency.  If you do not have a utility bill, bank statement, Wisconsin ID, paycheck, government document or lease in your own name at your current address, you need to register more than 20 days before the election.  First time Wisconsin voters registering by mail still need to send proof of residency.