Seal of Dane County County of Dane
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Election and Voting Information

Register to Vote

Registering to Vote Online (prior to an election):

Up to 20 days before the election. Voters who have a valid State of Wisconsin Driver License or State of Wisconsin ID card issued by the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can register to vote online on the MyVote Wisconsin website. To register online, the voter must enter a name, date of birth, Driver's License or ID number, and address that matches what is on file with the Wisconsin DMV. If all of the fields match, the voter will be able to register to vote completely online without needing to print, sign or mail the form and without needing to send a proof of residence document. Voters who are not able to match their information with the information in the DMV database will be given the option to register by mail (see instructions above).

Registering in Person (prior to an election):

Voter registration closes at 5:00 PM on the 3rd Wednesday preceding an election in order for the person’s name to be included on the voter registration list. Some municipalities may provide other locations to accomplish registration (please check with your municipal clerk for locations). Late registrations may be accepted in the office of the municipal clerk, who shall issue a certificate addressed to the election inspectors stating that the elector shall be allowed to vote.

Registering in Person (on election day):

Election day registration is allowed at the polls. The elector must provide proof-of-residence giving his or her complete name and address. Acceptable forms of proof-of-residence include:

  • A current and valid WI Driver License / ID Card
  • Any other official identification card or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body or unit
  • An employee ID card with a photograph, but not a business card
  • A real property tax bill or receipt for the current year or the year preceding the election
  • A residential lease (Does not count as proof of residence if elector submits form by mail)
  • A university, college, or technical institute identification card (must include photo), ONLY if the bearer provides a fee receipt dated within the last nine months or the institution provides a certified housing list to the municipal clerk.
  • A utility bill for the period commencing not earlier than 90 days before the day registration is made
  • A bank statement
  • A paycheck
  • A check or other document issued by a unit of government
  • An affidavit on public or private social service agency letterhead identifying a homeless voter and describing the individual’s residence for voting purposes.

If the person registering on election day has a valid Wisconsin driver’s license, they must provide the number to the registration deputy. If the person registering does not have the driver’s license number with them, or refuses to provide the number, the person may vote a provisional ballot. The person must then provide the number to the municipal clerk by 4:00 the Friday following the election in order for their vote to be counted. If the person does not have a valid Wisconsin driver’s license, they may provide the last 4 digits of their social security number or their Wisconsin ID card number, and they will be permitted to vote.

Registering by Mail:

Any elector may register before the close of registration (3rd Wednesday prior to the election) for any election as follows:

  • The elector shall obtain a Voter Registration Form by downloading it from here. Or using MyVote Wisconsin to complete the registration form. Electors can also contact their municipal clerk for a blank registration form and instructions.
  • The elector shall certify that all statements are true and correct.
  • The elector shall include a copy of their proof-of-residence (as defined in the list above for persons registering on election day).
  • The elector shall return the registration form and proof-of-residence to their municipal clerk prior to the close of registration (3rd Wednesday prior to the election).