Registering Voters -  A Brief Guide

A brief guide for those who have an appointment as a Special Registration Deputy (SRD).
Scroll down for links to electronic proof of residence.

1) Is the voter registered at their current address?  Check it at myvote.wi.gov

2) Are you an SRD for the voter's municipality?  Check their address at myvote.wi.gov, using the Search by Address button on the top.

3) The current registration form is available in English, Spanish or Hmong.

4) If the voter has a current and valid driver license or Department of Transportation ID card, the number must go on the form.  If not, then they may use the last 4 digits of their Social Security number.

5) Upon completion of the form, the SRD checks the voter's proof of residence, and enters the type, issuing agency, and account number, if any.  Enter the last 4 digits if the number has more than 6 digits; enter the last 2 digits if the number has 6 or less digits.  This information goes into section 12 of the current form.

All Proof of Residence documents must include the voter’s name and current address.  FAQ on Proof of Residence, including a list of acceptable documents.  Examples: a utility bill or government document.

6) Double check the form for completeness and legibility.  It needs the voter's signature, the SRD's signature, and the SRD's number.

7) Blackout dates:  Registration with SRD's closes at 5 p.m. Wednesday, twenty days before an election.

Electronic Proof of Residence

When you register to vote in Wisconsin, you must show proof of residence (POR).  Electronic proof is acceptable, on a smart phone, tablet, laptop, etc, per a decision by the Board  in August 2012.

All Proof of Residence documents must include the voter’s name and current address.  The following examples are either government documents or utility bills.

Madison and Dane County Area

Statewide - Documents for Proof of Residence

Library Card - for electronic proof of residence*
Although most library cards do not show the user's address, the electronic account does have the address.

*At their June 18, 2015 Board meeting (agenda, pages 117-122), the GAB determined that these types of library system documents are acceptable as proof of residence since they are government documents.  See minutes, page 7.

**From the Madison clerk regarding my.wisc.edu:  “mailing address” and “home address” are listed at the bottom.  It is likely that the “mailing address” will be the Madison address where the student resides for voting purposes.  Students are not required to change their “home address” (frequently their parent’s address) to claim Madison residency.

Send your suggestions for additions to the list of electronic proof of residence to malischke@yahoo.com

This page is at http://tinyurl.com/ElectronicPOR

Important Dates for Voter Registration and Elections     Wisconsin 2016

Election Day – November 8, Congress, State Senate and Assembly, and several county offices, including clerk

Voter Registration - Proof of residence is required. Early registration is highly recommended.

Special Registration Deputy - Register with an SRD until October 19.  Forms are due to clerk at 5 pm., or postmarked by this day.

Municipal clerk's office - Registration ends the Friday before the election.

Election Day registration - at your polling place.

Pictures of examples of proof of residence.

In-Person Absentee Balloting
See the Early Voting page.  Registration & in-person absentee balloting.

Absentee Ballots by Mail
Requests for an absentee ballot (with a copy of ID) must be received by your municipal clerk by the Thursday before the election.  However, due to mail delays, you are advised to mail your request well before that day.  When you receive your ballot, follow the enclosed instructions closely to ensure that your ballot is counted.   As of November 2016, ballots must be received by Election Day.

Residency
If you are a resident for 10 consecutive days before the election, you meet the residency requirement.  After establishing residency, if you leave with the intent to return, you are eligible to vote using the residency thus established.   If you move to another location in Wisconsin within 10 days of an election, you vote at your old polling place.

Web page by Paul Malischke malischke@yahoo.com  Last updated September 10, 2016