Voting in Wisconsin

What's on your ballot?

Find out using Ballotpedia’s Sample Ballot Tool

* * *

* * *

Election Information
2026 election and voting dates
Voter registration
Early voting
Absentee/mail-in voting
All-mail voting
Voter ID laws
State poll opening and closing times
Time off work for voting

* * *

Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker

* * *

Select a state from the menu below to learn more about its voting policies.

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingSubmit

## Contents

* 1 Voter registration
* 1.1 Eligibility and registration details
* 2 In-person voting
* 2.1 Poll times
* 2.2 Voter identification
* 2.3 Early voting
* 3 Absentee/mail-in voting
* 4 Local election officials
* 5 Voting rules for people convicted of a felony
* 6 Contact information
* 6.1 Election agencies
* 7 Explore election legislation with Ballotpedia
* 8 Ballotpedia's election coverage
* 9 See also
* 9.1 Elections in Wisconsin
* 10 External links
* 11 Footnotes

The policies governing voter participation are enacted and enforced primarily at the state level. These policies, which include voter identification requirements, early voting provisions, online voter registration systems, and more, dictate the conditions under which people cast their ballots in their respective states.

This article includes the following information about voting policies in Wisconsin:

* Voter registration details, including deadlines and eligibility requirements.
* In-person voting details, including identification requirements, poll times, and early voting provisions.
* Absentee/mail-in voting deadlines and rules.
* Details about voting rules for people convicted of a felony.
* Contact information for election agencies.

Click here for more information about election administration in the state, including voter list maintenance policies, provisional ballot rules, post-election auditing practices, and additional election policy context.

For information on elections happening this year, click here.

Do you have questions about your elections? Looking for information about your local election official? Click here to use U.S. Vote Foundation’s election official lookup tool.

## Voter registration[edit]

### Eligibility and registration details[edit]

Check your voter registration status here.

To register to vote in Wisconsin, one must be a citizen of the United States and a resident of Wisconsin at their current address for at least 28 days before the election. A voter must be at least 18 years of age by Election Day.[1]

Prospective voters can register online or by mailing a form to their municipal clerk. If registering by mail, the application must be postmarked no later than 20 days before the election.[2] Voters must also register online by the 20th day before the election. In-person registration at a municipal clerk's office must be completed by 5 p.m. or the close of business on the Friday before Election Day, whichever is later. Prospective voters can also register at their polling place on Election Day using  same-day voter registration. Voters must provide proof of residence when registering to vote.[1]

## In-person voting[edit]

### Poll times[edit]

See also: State poll opening and closing times

In Wisconsin, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central Time. Anyone in line when the polls close must be allowed to vote.[3]

### Voter identification[edit]

See also: Voter identification laws by state

Wisconsin requires voters to present photo identification while voting.[4][5]

The following list of accepted ID was current as of January 2026. Click here for the Wisconsin Election Commission's page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.

* Wisconsin Department of Transportation-issued driver's license
* Wisconsin Department of Transportation-issued identification card, with or without a photo
* Veteran ID card or U.S. Uniformed Service ID card
* U.S. passport book or card
* Identification card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in Wisconsin
* Photo identification card issued by a Wisconsin accredited university, college, or technical college, containing the date the card was issued, an expiration date, and a signature. (If expired, the voter must also provide a separate document proving enrollment)
* Certificate of naturalization issued within the past two years
* Driver’s license receipt issued by Wisconsin Department of Transportation (valid for 45 days from date issued)
* Identification card receipt issued by Wisconsin Department of Transportation (valid for 45 days from date issued)
* Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles ID Petition Process Photo Receipt (valid for 60 days from date issued)

To view Wisconsin state law pertaining to voter identification, click here.

The following voters do not need to provide photo ID:[6]

* Confidential electors
* Active military and permanent overseas voters who vote by absentee ballot
* Indefinitely confined voters who vote by absentee ballot

Voters can obtain a free Wisconsin State ID Card at a Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles office. Voters need the following to apply for an ID:[7]

* Proof of name and date of birth (such as a birth certificate)
* Proof of identity (Social Security Card, Medicaid/Medicare Card, etc.)
* Proof of Wisconsin residency (utility bill, government mail, lease, etc.)
* Proof of U.S. citizenship (U.S. Birth certificate or citizenship paperwork)
* Social Security Number

Voters who do not have all or any of the materials listed above can still obtain an ID. Call the voter ID hotline for assistance at (844) 588-1069.[7]

### Early voting[edit]

See also: Early voting

Wisconsin permits early voting. Learn more by visiting this website.

Early voting allows citizens to cast their ballots in person at a polling place before an election. In states that permit no-excuse early voting, a voter does not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on Election Day. States that allow voters to cast no-excuse absentee/mail-in ballots in person are counted as no-excuse early voting states.

Forty-seven states and the District of Columbia permit no-excuse early voting. Alabama, Mississippi, and New Hampshire do not offer no-excuse early voting.

## Absentee/mail-in voting[edit]

See also: Absentee/mail-in voting

All voters are eligible to vote absentee/by mail in Wisconsin. There are no special eligibility requirements for voting absentee/by mail.[8][9]

To vote absentee/by mail, a request to the municipal clerk must be received by 5 p.m. on the fifth day before Election Day. Once completed, returned ballots must be received no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day.[9][10] Indefinitely confined voters and military voters who are not away from their residence must request an absentee ballot by the fourth day before the election.[9]

## Local election officials[edit]

* * *

Do you need information about elections in your area? Are you looking for your local election official? Click here to visit the U.S. Vote Foundation and use their election official lookup tool.|

|
|

* * *

## Voting rules for people convicted of a felony[edit]

See also: Voting rights for people convicted of a felony

In Wisconsin, people convicted of a felony automatically regain their right to vote upon completion of their entire sentence, including incarceration and parole or probation.[11]

Voting rights for people convicted of a felony vary from state to state. In the majority of states, people convicted of a felony cannot vote while they are incarcerated but may regain the right to vote upon release from prison or at some point thereafter.[12]

## Contact information[edit]

### Election agencies[edit]

Seal of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission

See also: State election agencies

Individuals seeking additional information about election administration in Wisconsin can contact the following local, state, and federal agencies.

Wisconsin County Clerks

Click here for a list

Wisconsin Elections Commission

Physical Address: 201 West Washington Avenue, Second Floor
Madison, Wisconsin 53703
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 7984
Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7984
Phone: 608-266-8005
Toll free: 1-866-947-3529
Fax: 608-267-0500
Email: elections@wi.gov
Website: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/

U.S. Election Assistance Commission

633 3rd Street NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 301-563-3919
Toll free: 1-866-747-1471
Email: clearinghouse@eac.gov
Website: https://www.eac.gov

## Explore election legislation with Ballotpedia[edit]

* Try Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker

Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker provides daily updates on legislative activity related to election policy in all 50 states.

Our election policy experts translate complex bill text into easy-to-understand summaries. And because it's from Ballotpedia, our legislation tracker is guaranteed to be neutral, unbiased, and nonpartisan.

Search bills

* Read Ballotpedia's State of Election Administration Legislation Reports

Ballotpedia publishes regular analysis of election administration legislation, including three full reports per year, providing ongoing coverage of legislative activity affecting election policy in each state.

These reports deliver insights into partisan priorities, dive deep into notable trends, and highlight activity in key states.

Read the latest report

Subscribe to The Ballot Bulletin

The Ballot Bulletin is a weekly email that delivers the latest updates on election policy.

The newsletter tracks developments in election policy around the country, including legislative activity, big-picture trends, and recent news. Each email contains in-depth data from our Election Administration Legislation Tracker.

Subscribe

## Ballotpedia's election coverage[edit]

Click the tiles below to navigate to 2025 election coverage:

U.S. Congress special elections

Governors

Attorney general

Other state executives

State legislatures

State ballot measures

Local ballot measures

State judges

Local judges

Municipal government

School boards

Recall

Democratic primaries 2026

* United States Senate Democratic Party primaries, 2026
* United States House Democratic Party primaries, 2026
* Democratic Party gubernatorial primaries, 2026
* Democratic Party Secretary of State primaries, 2026
* Democratic Party Attorney General primaries, 2026
* State legislative Democratic primaries, 2026

Republican primaries 2026

* United States Senate Republican Party primaries, 2026
* United States House Republican Party primaries, 2026
* Republican Party gubernatorial primaries, 2026
* Republican Party Secretary of State primaries, 2026
* Republican Party Attorney General primaries, 2026
* State legislative Republican primaries, 2026

## See also[edit]

* State of Election Administration Legislation Reports
* Voter ID in Wisconsin
* Election administration in Wisconsin
* Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Wisconsin

### Elections in Wisconsin[edit]

* Wisconsin elections, 2026
* Wisconsin elections, 2025
* Wisconsin elections, 2024
* Wisconsin elections, 2023
* Wisconsin elections, 2022
* Wisconsin elections, 2021
* Wisconsin elections, 2020

* Wisconsin elections, 2019
* Wisconsin elections, 2018
* Wisconsin elections, 2017
* Wisconsin elections, 2016
* Wisconsin elections, 2015
* Wisconsin elections, 2014

## External links[edit]

* Official state election website
* U.S. Vote Foundation election official lookup tool

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Wisconsin Elections Commission, "Voter Registration and Proof of Residence," accessed January 5, 2026
2. ↑ City of Milwaukee Election Commission, "How to Register to Vote," accessed January 5, 2026
3. ↑ Wisconsin State Legislature, "Wis. Stat. § 6.78," accessed January 5, 2026
4. ↑ Wisconsin Elections Commission, "Acceptable Photo IDs," accessed January 5, 2026
5. ↑ Wisconsin Elections Commission, "Acceptable Photo IDs for Voting in Wisconsin," accessed January 5, 2026
6. ↑ Wisconsin Elections Commission, "Exceptions to the Photo ID law," accessed January 5, 2026
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Wisconsin Department of Transportation, "Wisconsin ID card for voting purposes - petition process," accessed January 5, 2026
8. ↑ Wisconsin Elections Commission, "Vote Absentee Guide," accessed January 5, 2026
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Wisconsin Elections Commission, "Voting by Absentee Ballot," accessed January 5, 2026
10. ↑ Wisconsin Election Commission, "FAQ," accessed January 5, 2026
11. ↑ U.S. Department of Justice, "Guide to State Voting Rules That Apply After a Criminal Conviction," accessed January 5, 2026
12. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Felon Voting Rights," August 19, 2025

Election information

Resources

Sample Ballot Lookup • Elections calendar • State poll opening and closing times • Ballot access for major and minor party candidates • Elections by state and year • State voter ID laws • Absentee voting • Early voting • Online voter registration • Election result canvassing • Where do I vote • List of absentee/mail-in ballot request websites by state • List of official voter registration websites by state • State of Election Administration Legislation Reports

Elections
by state

Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming

2026 elections

U.S. Congress • U.S. Congress special elections • State executives • State legislature • Statewide ballot measures • State judicial • Municipal government • Mayors • School boards • Local judicial • Local ballot measures • Recall

2025 elections

U.S. Congress special elections • State executives • State legislature • Statewide ballot measures • State judicial • Municipal government • Mayors • School boards • Local judicial • Local ballot measures • Recall

2024 elections

U.S. President • U.S. Congress • U.S. Congress special elections • State executives • State legislature • Statewide ballot measures • State judicial • Municipal government • Mayors • School boards • Local judicial • Local ballot measures • Recall

2023 elections

U.S. Congress special elections • State executives • State legislature • Statewide ballot measures • State judicial • Municipal government • Mayors • School boards • Local judicial • Local ballot measures • Recall

2022 elections

U.S. Congress • State executives • State legislature • Statewide ballot measures • State judicial • Municipal government • Mayors • School boards • Local judicial • Local ballot measures • Recall

2021 elections

U.S. Congress special elections • State executives • State legislature • Statewide ballot measures • State judicial • Municipal government • Mayors • School boards • Local judicial • Local ballot measures • Recall

How to vote
in each state

Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • Washington, D.C. • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming

v • e

State of Wisconsin
Madison (capital)

|

Elections |

What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2026 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures

Government |

Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy