Important Voter Information from the League of Women Voters

(Be sure to read Point #5 on voter suppression)

Save Time and Make Your Vote Count 
 
With the November 4th election approaching quickly, the League of Women Voters of Door County urges voters to take a few simple steps to save time and ensure that their votes are counted.  The following information should help:
 
1.      Who may vote.  You must be a U. S. citizen at least 18 years old on election day. You must have lived at least 10 days in the district prior to election day.  If you have moved within the state during the last 10 days before the election, you may vote in your former district in person or by absentee ballot.  Students with a permanent residence in one community and a temporary residence at school may vote in either place, but not both.  You may not vote if you are a felon still required to report to a probation or parole officer.  However, your voting rights are restored when you are off papers.
 
2.      Registration. You may register at the poll on election day in Wisconsin with an official ID and proof of current residence. A proof of residence is an official document, such as a utility statement, payroll stub, property tax receipt or lease that clearly states your full name and complete address. 
 
Early registration will save time at the polls.  If you’re not already registered, or you’ve moved or changed your name since you last voted, you will have to register or update your information before voting.  Voters – even long-time voters – are encouraged to check the status of their registration online at the state Voter Public Access website (http://vpa.wi.gov).  You may also use this website to find out where to vote.
 
You may register at your municipal clerk’s office until 5:00 p.m. the day before the election. You may mail or bring a voter registration application to your clerk's office prior to Oct. 15.  First-time Wisconsin voters registering by mail must include proof of residence. Those who register or change their address at the polls must present acceptable proof of residence or have their statements substantiated and signed by one other elector from the same municipality who must accompany them to the polls.
 
3.      Early voting.  Registered voters may cast an absentee ballot within 21 days before an election.  You are not required to state why you wish to cast an absentee ballot.  You may vote in person at your municipal clerk’s office until 5:00 p.m. the day before the election. Alternately, you may request an absentee ballot by mail from your clerk or download an Application for Absentee Ballot from the Government Accountability Board website (http://elections.state.wi.us) and mail it to your clerk.  The clerk will mail you an absentee ballot, which you may return in person or by mail.  Be sure to start early enough to allow time for processing and mailing of the application and ballot.  You must follow the instructions carefully for your ballot to be counted.
 
4.      Save time at the polls.  If you can, go to vote mid-morning or mid-afternoon, when the lines are likely to be shorter.  In the case that your registration is not complete, it will help to have an official ID with you, if you have one, and proof of residence if your ID does not have your current address.
 
5.      What to expect.  There may be long lines at the polls.  Be patient, and use the time to catch up with your neighbors.  No one is allowed to tell you to vote for or against any candidate or referendum while you are in the polling place.  Report any such activity to an election official.  There will be election observers at many polling places.  Although observers are not election officials, they are individuals or representatives of citizen groups who are an important part of a fair and transparent election.  If you have any concerns about the polling place or difficulty in receiving a ballot, report problems to an election official or call Election Protection Hotline on election day at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683). 
 
For local information, contact your municipal clerk.
Following are additional resources:
o       Government Accountability Board, (608) 266-8005 or gab@wi.gov
o       League of Women Voters of Wisconsin Education Fund, (608) 256-0827 or lwvwisconsin@lwvwi.org 
o       League of Women Voters of United States, Vote411: http://www.vote411.org/