Registering to Vote
Under Wisconsin law, a proof of residence document is always needed when registering to vote. If students have registered to vote in the past they can verify that the address and polling location match their current address .
If a student previously registered but has since moved, the student needs to re-register to vote. You need to reregister even if you live in the same residence hall or apartment building but have moved to a different dorm room or apartment within the building. In Wisconsin, eligible voters must reside at their address, including a change in apartment or residence hall number, for at least 28 days by Election Day in order to register to vote in that election district or ward.
Check the to check if you have previously registered to vote and/or if you need to input your information or update your voter information. Options for registering include online registration (for those eligible); by mail; in person; or at your polling place on Election Day.
Students who have been issued a Wisconsin driver license or Wisconsin Department of Transportation State ID Card that is current and valid must provide the number and expiration date when they register to vote (they do not have to have the physical card, just the information). Students may call the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Division of Motor Vehicles at (608) 266-2353 to have the number and expiration date confirmed.
If a student has had their Wisconsin driver license revoked, suspended or expired – or their Wisconsin Department of Transportation-issued State ID Card is expired – they will need to provide the last 4 digits of their Social Security number.
Wisconsin residents must also provide a proof of residence document when registering to vote in Wisconsin. A proof of residence document is a form that proves where you live in Wisconsin. ÏòÈÕ¿ûÊÓƵstudents can use the Voter ID Fee Statement on CheckMarq, which includes the student’s address.
- NOTE: your ÏòÈÕ¿ûÊÓƵVoter ID will default to your preferred name in CheckMarq. Your fee statement will reflect your legal name. These names need to match to have a valid registration. THUS, make sure your voter ID card reflects your legal name. (You may have to change your preferred name in CheckMarq.)
If you have not been issued a Wisconsin driver license or Wisconsin Department of Transportation-issued State ID Card, you must provide the last 4 digits of your Social Security number. If you have none of these documents, you will be able to indicate that fact.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission has indicated that electronic copies of a current or expired MU Voter ID Cards (This is not the same as your ÏòÈÕ¿ûÊÓƵID Card, please see the ÏòÈÕ¿ûÊÓƵVoter ID Card section) combined with a Voter ID Fee Statement of your current address can be used to register to vote only. Electronic copies of an MU Voter ID Card or an expired ÏòÈÕ¿ûÊÓƵVoter ID Card combined with a current fee statement receipt cannot be used to vote in Wisconsin. For currently enrolled students with an expired ÏòÈÕ¿ûÊÓƵVoter ID Card, please use the Voter ID Fee Statement on CheckMarq, which includes the student’s address, to vote.
In Wisconsin, if you are registering to vote, you will need to provide documentation proving your residency. There are 4 ways to register to vote in Wisconsin:
- By mail- postmarked no later than the 3rd Wednesday before the election. Registration forms should be mailed to your municipal clerk. You can start your voter registration form online at http://myvote.wi.gov. Your form must be printed, signed, and mailed or delivered, to your municipal clerk. You must always provide a Proof of Residence document when registering. If you are registering by mail, you can use any of the forms of Proof of residence except a residential lease.
- Online at www.myvote.wi.gov no later than the 3rd Wednesday before the election. Voters who have a valid State of Wisconsin Driver License or State of Wisconsin ID card issued by the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can register to vote online on the MyVote Wisconsin website: http://myvote.wi.gov. To register online, the voter must enter a name, date of birth, Driver License, or ID number, and an address that matches what is on file with the Wisconsin DMV. If all of the fields match, the voter will be able to register to vote completely online without needing to print, sign, or mail the form and without needing to send a proof of residence document. Voters who are not able to match their information with the information in the DMV database will be given the option to register by mail (see instructions above). Please note, if you are a ÏòÈÕ¿ûÊÓƵstudent, current or expired MU Voter ID Cards (This is not the same as your ÏòÈÕ¿ûÊÓƵID Card, please see the ÏòÈÕ¿ûÊÓƵVoter ID Card section) combined with a Voter ID Fee Statement of your current address can be used to register to vote you will need to upload both of these items into one document as the website only allows for one document to be uploaded. ÏòÈÕ¿ûÊÓƵstudents can use the Voter ID Fee Statement on CheckMarq, which includes the student’s address.
- In your municipal clerk’s office. - Please check you clerks office for deadlines.
- At the polls on Election Day. When registering on Election Day, you must must the eligibility and identification requirements noted above.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission is encouraging eligible voters in Wisconsin to please request your absentee ballot as soon as possible by visiting .