Recent Changes to Wisconsin Election Laws

NO CORROBORATING WITNESS: Voters may no longer use a corroborating witness as proof of residence when registering to vote. Acceptable forms of proof of residence may be found on our website under Register to Vote.

SIGNING OF THE POLL BOOK: Voters are now required to sign the poll book before receiving a ballot. There is an exemption for voters who are unable to sign the poll book due to a disability.

REGISTRATION: Voter registration in the clerk’s office now ends the Friday before the election at 5 p.m. or close of business, whichever is later. You may still register at your polling location on election day by providing the proper proof of residence.

RESIDENCY LENGTH: You now must reside at your address for 28 consecutive days to be eligible to vote.

ABSENTEE VOTING: Absentee voting in the Clerk’s Office is now restricted to the two weeks before an election. Absentee voting now ends the Friday before the election at 5 p.m. or close of business, whichever is later. The new law prohibits absentee voting in the clerk’s office the Saturday, Sunday or Monday before an election.

The following changes will be implemented in 2012:
Beginning in 2012, 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. (Please note if you are using your photo ID to prove your residence, then the address needs to match)

Acceptable Forms of Voter ID:

• Wisconsin driver’s license expiring after 11/2/10 (Date of last General Election)
• Wisconsin DOT-issued photo ID card expiring after 11/2/10
• U.S. passport expiring after 11/2/10
• Military ID card expiring after 11/2/10
• Certificate of naturalization issued within the last 2 years
• Unexpired Wisconsin driver’s license or state ID receipt
• ID card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in Wisconsin
• Unexpired ID issued by a Wisconsin accredited university or college—must contain issuance date, student signature, and expiration date within 2 years of issuance.

Photo ID must accompany absentee ballot requests. Voters will be required to send a photocopy of an acceptable form of photo identification with their absentee requests. Photo ID is not required for military voters and voters who are permanently overseas. Photo ID will not be required, but will be replaced by alternative documentation, for voters on the permanent absentee list because they are indefinitely confined and nursing home residents who have their ballots delivered by a Special Voter Deputy.

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

PROVISIONAL BALLOTS: Beginning in 2012, voters who are required but unable to provide photo ID will become provisional voters. This applies to both voters at the polls and absentee voters. Provisional ballots are not counted unless the voter provides the Clerk’s Office with an acceptable photo ID, in person, by 4 p.m. the Friday after the election.

Straight Party Ticket. The voter photo identification law eliminates straight party voting for everyone but military voters and voters who are permanently overseas.