These are acceptable for voting purposes, and can be unexpired or expired after the date of the most recent general election (currently, the November 3, 2020 election):

• A Wisconsin DOT-issued driver license, even if driving privileges are revoked or suspended, with or without a star in the right-hand corner.
• A Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card, with or without a star in the right-hand corner.
• A Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card or driver license without a photo issued under the religious exemption
• Military ID card issued by a U.S. uniformed service
• A U.S. passport
• An identification card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in Wisconsin (May be used even if expired before the most recent general election.)
• A photo identification card issued by a Wisconsin accredited university or college that contains date of issuance, signature of student, and an expiration date no later than two years after date of issuance. (May be used even if expired before the most recent general election.)
• If the university or college ID is expired, the student ID must be accompanied by a separate document that proves current enrollment.

These photo IDs are also acceptable for voting purposes, but must be unexpired:

• NEW: A veteran’s photo identification card issued by the Veterans Health Administration of the federal Department of Veterans Affairs
• A certificate of naturalization that was issued not earlier than two years before the date of an election at which it is presented
• A driving receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT (valid for 45 days)
• An identification card receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT (valid for 45 days)
• A temporary identification card receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT through the Identification Petition Process (IDPP) (valid for 60 days)

Important things to know:

• There is no such thing as a "Wisconsin Voter ID Card." The new Voter Photo ID Law uses existing photo IDs for people to prove their identity before voting.
• The address on your ID doesn’t have to be current. And the name on your ID doesn’t need to be an exact match for your name in the poll book. (So, Richards who go by Rich, Bobs who are also Roberts and Susans with IDs for Sue can all relax.)
• Of course, there are certain requirements. Your ID should look like you. Even if you’ve colored your hair, shaved your beard or lost some weight, as long as your photo ID reasonably resembles you, it should be accepted.

Information gathered from: https://bringit.wi.gov/do-i-have-right-photo-id

The Wisconsin Elections Commission provides information on how to obtain a FREE Wisconsin ID card for Voting in this two-minute video. Click here to watch the video via YouTube.

To get a free ID card, you will need to take a few documents to your Division of Motor Vehicles office. 

There's a long list of documents you can use, but most people will be fine with a certified birth certificate, a Social Security card and a utility bill or cell phone bill. You'll notice that some records, like a certified birth certificate, satisfy more than one category.

Just be sure to bring originals — photocopies don’t work — and check the box that says “ID for Free” on your application. Once it’s complete, you’ll get a receipt that you can use at the polls until your state ID arrives by mail.

Instructions from the DMV website about how to obtain a Free Voter ID:

1. Go to the DMV to apply
2. Bring the following, if available:

• Proof of Name and Date of Birth
•  (such as Birth Certificate)
• Proof of Identity
• (Social Security Card, Medicaid/Medicare Card, etc.)
• Wisconsin Residency
• (Utility bill, government mail, lease, etc.)
• Proof of U.S. Citizenship
• (U.S. Birth certificate or citizenship paperwork)
• Social Security Number

If you don't have all or any of these, you can still get an ID for voting. Just bring what you have to the DMV, fill out two forms (form MV3004, and form MV3012), and you will get a photo ID document in the mail that you can use in time for voting. Here is a sample of the document you'll be receiving.

Click here to visit the WI DMV's website for additional information on how to obtain a Free ID.

To vote in the state of Wisconsin, you must be:

• A citizen of the United States
• 18 years of age or older
• A resident of Wisconsin
• One whose felony conviction has been served in full, including probation, parole or extended supervision
• Registered to vote

Primary Elections

A primary determines the candidate(s) for a general election when 2 or more members of one political party (partisan election) or 3 or more candidates (nonpartisan election) run for the same position.

• Spring Primary: Third Tuesday in February
• Fall Partisan Primary (even years): Second Tuesday in August

Spring and General Elections

• Spring Election (first Tuesday in April every year): For judicial and non-partisan municipal, county and educational officials
• Fall General Election (Tuesday after the first Monday in November, even years): For U.S. Senators and Representatives, President, Governor and State and County offices

Special Elections

• Special elections may be held to fill vacancies or for other purposes

Referendums

A referendum is a popular vote on a specific issue of government and may occur in an election.

My Vote Wisconsin

myvote.wi.gov

• Register to vote online
• Check your voter registration status
• Find your polling place and see what’s on your ballot
• Request an absentee ballot and check absentee ballot status
• Available in English and Spanish

Bring It to the Ballot

bringit.wi.gov

1-866-868-3947

• How to get a free Wisconsin ID
• List of acceptable photo IDs needed to vote in Wisconsin
• Available in English and Spanish

Wisconsin Elections Commission

elections.wi.gov

1-866-868-3947

• Official website for voting information

City of Milwaukee Election Commission

city.milwaukee.gov/election

414-286-3491

You have three options:

OPTION 1: A paper form can be printed off the internet or filled out online at myvote.wi.gov and printed out.

Registration Form in English

Registration Form in Spanish

Registration Form in Hmong

OPTION 2: In person at your clerk’s office until the Friday before election day. At an early voting site until the Friday before  election day. You cannot register on the Saturday, Sunday or Monday prior to an election. You can register at your polling place on election day.

OPTION 3: Any person registering to vote has to have resided at the address at which they are registering for at least 28 days and provide proof of residence. It does not matter if they are voting that day (or not) nor does it matter if it is election day or in-person absentee. If they have not lived at their current address for 28 days, they would register at the previous WI address where they lived for at least 28 days.

ACCEPTABLE PROOF OF RESIDENCE DOCUMENTS:

Any document used as a proof of residence MUST include:

• Your current and complete name
• Your current and complete residential address
• A visible account or document number (if applicable)
• AND must be from one of the following proof of residence document types:
• A current and valid Wisconsin driver’s license.
• A current and valid Wisconsin identification card.
• Any other official identification card or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body or unit.
• Any identification card issued by an employer in the normal course of business and bearing a photo of the card holder, but not including a business card.
• A real estate tax bill or receipt for the current year or the year preceding the date of the election.
• A gas, electric or telephone service statement (utility bill) for the period commencing not earlier than 90 days before Election Day.
• Bank statement.
• Paycheck.
• A check or other document or official correspondence issued by a unit of government (this includes official mail from a public high school or state college or university, such as MPS or UW-Milwaukee).
• A university, college, or technical college identification card (must include photo) ONLY if the voter provides a fee receipt dated within the last 9 months or the institution provides a certified housing list to the municipal clerk.
• A residential lease which is effective for a period that includes the registration date (cannot be used when registering by mail)
• A letter on public or private social services letterhead identifying a homeless voter and describing the individual’s residence for voting purposes

You are allowed to redact (black out) private information such as account balances or transactions on your proof of residence document. However, the digits of your account number (if applicable), name and address must remain visible.

*Please note: Any resident who has a valid WI license or State ID card must provide the number and expiration date whether they are registering online or on paper.

To register online you must have a valid Wisconsin driver license/ID with current address on file with the DMV. If using a paper registration, present one of these proofs of residence in paper or electronic format showing your current name and address:

• A current and valid Wisconsin driver’s license.
• A current and valid Wisconsin identification card.
• Any other official identification card or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body or unit.
• Any identification card issued by an employer in the normal course of business and bearing a photo of the card holder, but not including a business card.
• A real estate tax bill or receipt for the current year or the year preceding the date of the election.
• A gas, electric or telephone service statement (utility bill) for the period commencing not earlier than 90 days before Election Day.
• Bank statement.
• Paycheck.
• A check or other document or official correspondence issued by a unit of government (this includes official mail from a public high school or state college or university, such as MPS or UW-Milwaukee).
• A university, college, or technical college identification card (must include photo) ONLY if the voter provides a fee receipt dated within the last 9 months or the institution provides a certified housing list to the municipal clerk.
• A residential lease which is effective for a period that includes the registration date (cannot be used when registering by mail)
• A letter on public or private social services letterhead identifying a homeless voter and describing the individual’s residence for voting purposes

If your address changes and you will have lived at your new address for 28 days prior to the next election, you must re-register.  If your name changes and you will have updated your photo ID prior to the next election, you must re-register. 

A  voter who will not have lived at their current address for 28 days prior to the next election or who will not have changed the name on their photo ID prior to the election should not re-register.

If you have resided in the state for less than 28 days, to vote with a "presidential ballot" only, you must vote in person and provide proof of residence and valid photo ID. 

A. No. But keep in mind that local elected officials have a real impact on your community. Learn about candidates and official job duties at VOTE411.org.