Election preparation 

Partisan Primary Day for the fall 2020 general election in Wisconsin is Aug. 11. Because many public health experts believe that a second wave of COVID-19 will likely occur this fall, voters should take steps now to request an absentee ballot mailed to them for all future elections, including the Aug. 11 primary. 

On May 27, the Wisconsin Elections Commission voted unanimously to mail absentee ballot applications to all 2.7 million registered voters in Wisconsin. However, voters do not need to wait for the application form to arrive by mail; they can go online right now to myvote.wi.gov to request an absentee ballot for future elections. In addition to making that request, head to myvote.wi.gov to ensure you’re registered and find out what will be on upcoming ballots. Deadlines for registering and requesting ballots are also located on myvote.wi.gov.

Eligible Wisconsin voters who have a current and valid Wisconsin Driver License or Wisconsin State ID Card can now register completely online at myvote.wi.gov. Additionally, check bringitwisconsin.com to make sure you have the proper ID needed to vote. You will need to upload a photo of your eligible ID before your municipal clerk can process your request for an absentee ballot. If you need a free ID to vote, take a certified birth certificate, social security card and a utility bill to your DMV. The DMV is still open for the purposes of getting an ID needed to vote.

Clerks are doing everything they can to make the elections process safe for voters. To assist in that effort, I encourage everyone to vote absentee if they can. 

Please contact me with any questions regarding voting and voter ID requirements at 608-266-9170 or sen.miller@legis.wisconsin.gov.