Everything you need to know to register to vote in Wisconsin for the Nov. 5 election
The Nov. 5 election is quickly approaching, and you may be seeing plenty of political ads on social media, television and elsewhere reminding you to register to vote.
Wisconsin is one of the 21 states with same-day voter registration, meaning if you decide you want to vote Nov. 5, you can register at the polls when you get there. But many people like to register beforehand, especially online.
Here's a comprehensive guide to registering to vote in Wisconsin, including key deadlines, the materials you need, how long registration lasts, who qualifies and more:
Where and when can I register to vote in Wisconsin?
There are four ways to register to vote in Wisconsin: online, by mail, at your local clerk's office or at your polling place on Election Day.
Online through Oct. 16. You can register online at myvote.wi.gov, which is the state's official website for voting registration. As long as the information you enter — like your address and driver's license or ID card number — matches what the state DMV has on file, you'll be able to register online. If not, you can register by mail.
By mail, postmarked by Oct. 16. You can start filling out a registration form on myvote.wi.gov, but the form is also available here in English, Spanish and Hmong. You'll need to print and sign the form, then mail or deliver it to your clerk's office. If you're registering by mail, you need to include a copy of a proof of residence document that's not a lease.
At your clerk's office by Nov. 1 at 5 p.m. You can visit your clerk's office during their business hours to register to vote, up until the Friday before the election at 5 p.m. You can find your clerk's address here.
At the polls on Election Day, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wisconsin has same-day voter registration, so you can register when you get to your polling place.
More: Wisconsin election dates: Early voting, absentee requests, online registration deadline
What do I need to register to vote in Wisconsin?
You may have heard of Wisconsin's photo ID law, which requires you to show photo identification to vote. You don't need a photo ID when you're just registering to vote, but you will need it when you vote at your polling place or request an absentee ballot.
Here's what materials you do need to register:
A Wisconsin driver's license or state ID card, if you have it. If you have a valid driver's license or state ID card, you will need to provide the number and expiration date. If your license or ID card is revoked, suspended or expired, or if you don't have one, you will be asked for the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you have none of those things, there's a place to note that and more information on the back of the form.
Proof of residence. This proves that you live in the place where you are registering to vote in Wisconsin. Acceptable documents are explained in the section below.
More: Wisconsin voter ID law still causing confusion, stifles turnout in Milwaukee, voting advocates say
What is proof of residence for voter registration in Wisconsin?
Proof of residence shows that you live where you're registering to vote in Wisconsin and is a different process than showing photo ID. It must show your current address, so if you've recently moved, it needs to reflect your new address. A driver's license works as proof of residence, but only if it has your current address.
Here are more examples of proof of residence documents, and you can find more information here:
A bank or credit card statement
A paycheck or paystub
A recent utility bill
A real estate tax bill or receipt
A residential lease, if it's valid on the date of registration. You can't use this one if you're registering by mail
An intake document from a nursing home or assisted living facility
A university or college ID card with your photo. This can only be used if you have a fee receipt within the last nine months or if your college provides a housing list to the local clerk. This document provides more information for voters in college, and whether you can use your student ID as photo ID.
Your proof of residence doesn't have to be a hard copy or paper version. You can also show it electronically on your phone or other electronic device if you're registering at the polls, for example.
How long does voter registration last in Wisconsin?
If you vote often in elections, your registration shouldn't expire. But if you haven't voted in several years, it's possible your name won't be on the poll list when you go to vote. In that case, you'll have to re-register to vote.
That's because the state regularly cleans up its voter rolls, removing voters who haven't voted in the last four years. The last time the state did that was in August 2023, deactivating about 100,000 voters who hadn't voted since November 2018 and didn't respond to a postcard asking if they wanted to stay registered.
There are other situations where you'll need to re-register to vote:
If you've moved since the last election. State law says you should register at your new address as long as you've lived there for at least 28 days before Election Day. If it's less than 28 days, you must vote from your old address, either at your previous polling place or by absentee ballot. If you move to a new address, it could change which aldermanic ward or legislative district you vote in, for example.
If you've changed your name. If you've legally changed your name, you'll also need to re-register. You can start on myvote.wi.gov, and you might need to search using your previous name.
You'll also need to provide the previous address or name you were registered under on your new form. You can always check if you're currently registered to vote by typing in your name and date of birth at myvote.wi.gov.
Can I register to vote in Wisconsin if I have a felony?
One of the eligibility checkboxes on the registration form reads as follows: "Are not currently serving a sentence including incarceration, parole, probation, or extended supervision for a felony conviction."
That's also known as being "on paper." Once you are "off paper," you can vote, but you'll have to re-register. Voting rights are also restored if you're pardoned.
People in jail can still vote if they haven't been convicted of a felony or treason or bribery misdemeanors, or if they're being held on bail and haven't been convicted.
More information is available here. The ACLU of Wisconsin also has an information page.
More: What to know about voting rights for felons in Wisconsin
How old do I have to be to vote in Wisconsin?
You must be at least 18 years old on or before Election Day to vote. You can register to vote if you're not yet 18 but will turn 18 by Nov. 5.
How many registered voters does Wisconsin have?
As of Sept. 1, 2024, Wisconsin had 3,503,706 active registered voters. Wisconsin doesn't collect information on the gender, race or political party of voters — you don't register as a Republican or Democrat when you register to vote in Wisconsin.
The latest numbers show the 18-24 age group in Wisconsin has the lowest number of registered voters, at just over a quarter of a million. The 65-and-older age group has the most, at over a million.
What is MyVote WI?
MyVote.wi.gov is the official state website for voter registration and information. It's run by the Wisconsin Elections Commission, which is the statewide board that maintains the voter database, gives guidance to local clerks, ensures compliance with election laws and other duties.
Here's a list of things you can do on myvote.wi.gov, and links to that section of the website:
Find locations and dates for in-person absentee voting, also known as early voting
The Wisconsin Elections Commission also has a toll-free voter hotline: 866-VOTE-WIS (868-3947).
Have more questions about voting in Wisconsin? Let us know.
We want to hear what questions you have about the voting process in Wisconsin. Let us know what you're curious about and we may answer your question in an upcoming story.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Register to vote in Wisconsin: What to know about Nov. 5 election
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