Wisconsin election dates: Early voting, absentee requests, online registration deadline

There are two months until the Nov. 5 election, when voters in Wisconsin and across the country will head to the polls to elect the president, vice president, members of Congress and other lawmakers.

Early voting has already started in some states, like Minnesota, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Virginia. In Wisconsin, early voting can start two weeks before Election Day, though it's up to each city, town or village to decide how many days and locations to offer.

Early voting is also called in-person absentee voting, because voters go to a designated location and cast an absentee ballot there. That's different than voting absentee by mail. Voters who have already requested an absentee ballot via mail should receive their ballots soon after Sept. 19, which is the deadline for Wisconsin clerks to send them.

Here's what to know about key voting deadlines for the November election in Wisconsin, including when you can register to vote, the timeframe for early voting and how late you can request an absentee ballot. A full list of deadlines can be found at myvote.wi.gov.

When is early voting in Wisconsin?

Oct. 22 through Nov. 3, though dates vary by municipality.

State law allows for early voting to take place no earlier than 14 days before Election Day — in this case, Oct. 22 — and no later than the Sunday before the election, or Nov. 3. There is no in-person absentee voting on the Monday before the election, Nov 4.

Each city, town or village decides how many days, times and locations they want to offer early voting. You can check whether early voting is available in your community by entering your address here, or by contacting your local clerk.

When and how can I register to vote in Wisconsin?

As late as Election Day, but by Oct. 16 online.

Wisconsin has same-day voter registration, so you can register to vote at the polls Nov. 5. Make sure to bring a proof of residence document, like a driver's license with your current address, a utility bill or a bank statement.

However, if you want to register to vote online or via mail, the deadline to do so is Oct. 16. You can register to vote online at myvote.wi.gov. Registering by mail involves filling out and printing a registration form and mailing it to your clerk.

You can also register in-person at your local clerk's office during their business hours. The deadline for that option is the Friday before Election Day, Nov. 1 at 5 p.m.

When can I request an absentee ballot in Wisconsin?

Now through Oct. 31, for most voters.

Voters in Wisconsin can request an absentee ballot be mailed to them at myvote.wi.gov. Voters can request an absentee ballot for any reason. If you make a request after Sept. 19, clerks must fulfill it within 24 to 48 business hours.

The last day for most voters to request an absentee ballot, however, is Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. Your clerk must receive your request by that time.

The deadline for indefinitely confined, military and hospitalized voters to make an absentee ballot request is slightly longer. More information is available here for those voters.

What's the last day to return an absentee ballot in Wisconsin?

Nov. 5 at 8 p.m. at the latest.

Clerks must receive your absentee ballot by Nov. 5 at 8 p.m., which is when polls close in Wisconsin. However, the U.S. Postal Service recommends mailing back your absentee ballot at least a week before Election Day, or Oct. 29, so it gets to your clerk in time.

There are other options for returning your absentee ballot instead of mailing it, but those also differ by municipality. Some communities, like Milwaukee, will offer absentee ballot drop boxes after the state Supreme Court reversed a past decision that banned them.

More: Brookfield residents speak in favor of ballot drop boxes, but Common Council says no

Other options for returning your absentee ballot include bringing it to your clerk's office, your assigned polling place or a central count location. You can check with your clerk to see which options are available in your community.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin election 2024: How to register to vote, get absentee ballot