Do you have a plan to vote? Resources to get you ready for Election Day

As voters across the United States gear up to cast their ballots, it can be hard to keep track of deadlines and requirements. Here is a compilation of what you need to do in order to get out and vote in Wisconsin.

Am I eligible to vote?

In order to be eligible to vote in Wisconsin, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must be a U.S. citizen
• You must be 18 years or older by the election
• You must live at your current Wisconsin address for at least 28 days prior to the election
• You may not be currently serving time for a felony, on parole or extended supervision
• You have not made a bet on the outcome of the election

Where should I vote?

Once you determine your eligibility, a lot of factors go into making the decision on where to cast the ballot. Here are some questions to consider:

• Would you like to vote in a swing state like Wisconsin?
• Do you feel like your vote is more valuable in your hometown or home state?
• Is there a local or state election in either Madison or your hometown or home state that matters a lot to you (local officials, county positions or state Legislature races)?
• What about local policies or referendums that you feel passionately about?

Though you may have a residence in both your hometown and Madison, you are only allowed to vote in one location.

If you choose to vote in Wisconsin…

Here are important deadlines you need to know:

• Oct. 16, 2024
  • Deadline to register to vote by mail
  • Deadline to register to vote online
• Nov. 1, 2024
  • Deadline to register at your municipal clerk’s office
• Nov. 5, 2024: Election Day
  • Register to vote at your polling place 
    • Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. You are able to register to vote during these hours at your polling place. Find your polling location here.

According to the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s policy number UW-856, UW-Madison students are allowed to miss class in order to work at the polls so long as their instructor is notified two weeks prior to the date of the election.

Additionally, students are allowed to miss class or be tardy on Election Day as long as they are waiting in line to vote, according to UW-856.

What is on the ballot in Wisconsin?

In addition to the presidential election, Wisconsin voters get to answer the following referendum question:

“Eligibility to vote. Shall section 1 of article III of the constitution, which deals with suffrage, be amended to provide that only a United States citizen age 18 or older who resides in an election district may vote in an election for national, state, or local office or at a statewide or local referendum?”

The referendum, proposed by Wisconsin’s Republican-controlled Legislature, would move to change the words in the above excerpt from “every United States citizen age 18 or older” to “only a United States citizen age 18 or older” and further clarify that the law applies to all elections and referendums, whether local, state or national.

The change in wording could prevent Wisconsin from allowing noncitizens to vote in the future. While some municipalities in other states have allowed noncitizen voting for local elections like school board races, nowhere in Wisconsin allows noncitizen voting currently.  

Democrats and suffrage groups have criticized the referendum’s wording for being exclusionary and voting rights advocacy groups fear anti-immigrant rhetoric and false allegations of voter fraud could spread if the referendum is passed and the wording of the state constitution changes.

If you choose to vote out of state…

Take a look at this list of voter registration deadlines by state. Some states do not offer registration on Election Day, so be sure to check your deadlines in your home state and plan accordingly.

If you miss a registration deadline in another state, Wisconsin allows same-day voter registration at your polling place on Election Day.

How do I vote in-person early?

On-campus in-person early voting locations are open weekdays from Oct. 22 to Nov. 1 at the following locations:

• Memorial Union, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Union South, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Health Sciences Learning Center, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Off-campus and general Madison voting early locations can be found here. Additional information about voting absentee in-person can be found by visiting the My Vote Wisconsin website.

If you are voting outside of Wisconsin, you can check here to see if your state allows in-person early or absentee voting. If you want to vote in-person early for an election outside of Wisconsin, visit here.

How do I vote by mail?

You will need to request your ballot by Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. and return it in the mail no later than Nov. 5 at 8 p.m.

Follow this link to request your absentee ballot online. It takes about two minutes.

What do I bring to my polling place in Madison on Election Day?

Voter requirements vary based on state. In Madison, you will need:

• A photo ID, such as:
  • A Wisconsin DOT issued Driver License (or receipt)
  • A Wisconsin DOT issued Identification Card (or receipt)
  • A military ID
  • A Native American tribal ID
  • A university-issued voter ID (learn how to get a UW-Madison voter ID here)
  • A Veteran’s ID card issued by the Veterans Health Administration of the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs
  • A certificate of naturalization issued at least two years before the date of the election

If you are registering to vote in-person on Election Day, you must bring proof of address. There are many options to show proof of your residence in Madison. Many students use their phone to show their dormitory assignment or lease while registering in person.

You can check your registration online at vote.gov.