Steve Hilgenberg

IMPORTANT VOTER INFORMATION

By State Representative Steve Hilgenberg

Now that Election Day is less than six weeks away, it’s a good time to make sure you and your family members are able to vote.  Over the past few days, I’ve received several calls from constituents with questions about voter registration, polling places, and absentee ballots.  I want to take this chance to address these questions and clearly outline the steps you need to take to vote on November 4^th.

How can I check if I’m registered to vote?

Visit the Voter Public Access website at http://vpa.wi.gov to look up your voter registration and your polling place location.  Make sure that you enter in your full first name under the search criteria.  If you have problems accessing your registration, contact the Wisconsin Elections Board at 608-266-8005.  

How do I register to vote?

There are three ways to register to vote:  by mail, in person, or at the polling place on Election Day.  To register by mail, you must complete an Application for Voter Registration and mail it to your local town, village, or city clerk.  This form can be accessed online at http://elections.state.wi.us under the ‘Voter Information’ tab and it must be postmarked no later than October 15^th.  If you are a first-time voter registering by mail, you must include one proof of residence (i.e. a driver’s license with your current address, a utility bill, a bank statement, etc.).  For more information on what documents can be used for proof of residence, visit http://elections.state.wi.us and select the ‘Voter Information’ tab.

To register in person, visit your local town, village, or city clerk’s office before November 4^th.  Make sure you bring identification and proof of residence.

If you wish to register to vote at your polling place on Election Day, you must bring identification and proof that you have lived at your present location for at least 10 days preceding the election.

How do I apply for an absentee ballot?

If you are not already registered, you will need to register to vote before an absentee ballot can be sent to you.  Once registered, you must submit an Application for an Absentee Ballot to your local clerk.  The application is available online at http://elections.state.wi.us under the ‘Voter Information’ tab and it must be received by your clerk no later than October 30^th.   Once the clerk processes your application, they will send you a ballot which must be sent back and received by the clerk no later than 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. 

If you have any further questions or concerns, contact the Wisconsin Elections Board at 608-266-8005. 

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