How to get an absentee ballot in Wisconsin during the coronavirus outbreak.
Outbreak raises demand, ‘requests are pouring in’
MADISON - Wisconsin officials from both parties are urging people to vote early in the April 7 election as the coronavirus spreads in the state and around the country.
“The good news is that absentee voting in Wisconsin is really easy,” Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said this week. “I’m encouraging everybody who can vote early to ensure that your vote is counted and your voice is heard to take advantage of that.”
Dean Knudson, the Republican chairman of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, said there needs to be a “statewide push” to get people to vote early, either by mail or in person.
The idea appears to be taking off in Madison.
“The absentee requests are pouring in like you wouldn’t believe,” City Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl said. “The number just keeps going up.”
Who can vote absentee in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin allows people to vote absentee for any reason. As long as they’re registered to vote, they can request absentee ballots now for the April 7 presidential primary and election for state Supreme Court, Milwaukee mayor, Milwaukee County executive and other local offices.
How do I get an absentee ballot in Wisconsin?
Voters can request absentee ballots online, by email, by fax, by mail or in person.
Request a ballot online: To request an absentee ballot online, voters can go to myvote.wi.gov and follow the prompts. The site allows them to track their ballot so they can know when the clerk has mailed it to them.
By email or fax: They can also email or fax their local clerk to request an absentee ballot. A directory of clerks is available on the Elections Commission’s website. By mail: To request a ballot by mail, voters can download a form from the Elections Commission’s website and send it to their clerk.
What are the voter ID laws for absentee ballots?
Absentee voters in most cases must provide a photo ID to get a ballot. They can do this by sending their clerk a copy of their ID, submitting a photo of it through myvote.wi.gov or showing it in person.
Once they have provided it to get their first absentee ballot, they can get absentee ballots for future elections without having to show their ID again.
Acceptable IDs include Wisconsin driver’s licenses, state ID cards, military IDs, passports, tribal IDs, veterans IDs, certificates of naturalization and certain college IDs if the student also provides separate proof of enrollment.
Some absentee voters are exempt from the photo ID requirement, such as military voters, those living permanently overseas and those considered permanently confined, such as nursing home residents.
Do I need a witness to vote by mail?
Those who vote by mail must fill out their ballot in the presence of an adult witness.
Witnesses are not supposed to view the voter’s selections but must sign a certificate and provide their address.
The ballot will not be counted without the signature of the voter, the signature of the witness and the address of the witness.
How long do I have to get an absentee ballot?
By 5 p.m. on the Thursday before the election — in this case, by April 2.
Online requests and faxes must be sent by 5 p.m. on April 2.
Mailed requests must be received by 5 p.m. on April 2.
When is my absentee ballot due, and how do I return it?
Absentee ballots must be returned to clerks by 8 p.m. on election day.
Absentee ballots must be returned by mail or in person. They can’t be returned by email or fax.
Is there another way to vote in Wisconsin before Election Day?
Voters can also cast ballots in their clerk’s office before election day if they don’t want to go to the polls on April 7. Some communities, including Milwaukee and Madison, also allow people to vote early at other locations.
Like those who vote at the polls, absentee voters in most cases must provide a photo ID to get a ballot. They can do this by sending their clerk a copy of their ID, submitting a photo of it through
myvote.wi.gov or showing it in person. Once they have provided it to get their first absentee ballot, they can get absentee ballots for future elections without having to show their ID again.
What if I need to register to vote?
Wednesday, March 18, is the last day before the April 7 election to register to vote online or by mail.
People can register in their clerk’s office until April 3 and can also register at the polls on Election Day.