IMPORTANT 2020 ELECTION DATES IN WISCONSIN
- October 14: Deadline for advance voter registration online or by mail (postmarked)
- October 20 - November 1: In-person absentee voting available at some municipal clerk's offices
- October 29: Deadline to request an absentee ballot (regular and overseas voters)
- October 30: Deadline for advance voter registration at a municipal clerk's office (same-day registration is still available at the polls)
- November 3: Election Day (Polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.); also, deadline to return an absentee ballot (by 8 p.m.)
WHO CAN VOTE IN WISCONSIN?
According to the Wisconsin Elections Commission, in order to be eligible to vote in Wisconsin, you must be:
- A U.S. citizen
- At least 18 years old on Election Day
- A resident at your current address for at least 28 days prior to the election
- Not currently serving any felony sentence (including probation, parole or supervised release)
- Not judged incompetent to vote
HOW TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN WISCONSIN
Wisconsin voters can register in advance of the 2020 election by completing an online form or postmarking a mail-in form by Oct. 14. In-person registration is also available at municipal clerk's offices until 5 p.m. on Oct. 30.
Voter registration is also available at the polls on Election Day.
Wisconsin residents can search their current registration status online.
WHAT'S ON YOUR BALLOT
Sample ballots can be found by searching by address on the My Vote Wisconsin website.
WHERE & WHEN TO VOTE ON ELECTION DAY
The Wisconsin Election Commission provides an online search tool to help voters find their polling location.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day in Wisconsin.
DO I NEED TO BRING AN ID TO VOTE?
Yes. Wisconsin requires photo identification at the polls. The rule has been in effect in Wisconsin since 2015.
Wisconsin residents can apply for a free state ID card through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation website. For residents without a birth certificate, there is an alternative method to petition for an ID card.
HOW TO VOTE EARLY IN PERSON
Early in-person absentee voting is available at some Wisconsin municipal clerk's offices in the state from Oct. 20 through as late as Nov. 1, 2020. Each community sets its own dates and hours, however, so voters should contact their municipal clerk for information.
Similar photo ID requirements are in place as Election Day.
HOW TO VOTE ABSENTEE IN WISCONSIN
Eligible Wisconsin voters can request an absentee ballot by filling out an online form, or by printing out an application and mailing it to the municipal clerk's office.
Military and overseas voters have extra options for absentee voting, with details available on the Wisconsin Elections Commission website.
Under Wisconsin law, absentee voters must fill out their ballot in the presence of a witness, who must be an adult U.S. citizen.
Absentee ballots must be received by the municipal clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
WHERE IS MY MUNICIPAL CLERK'S OFFICE?
The Wisconsin Election Commission provides an online directory for locating the municipal clerk for your area.
Find in-depth information about voting in Minnesota in our 2020 Minnesota Voter Guide, and on the KARE 11 Voter's Toolkit page.
Get the latest results on the KARE 11 Elections page on Election Night.
Our KARE to Vote Team is digging into your questions this election season for stories on-air and online. Text your questions to 763-797-7215.
