By Lisa Aarli
Northside Action Team

For all voting information for Madison residents, check the Madison City Clerk’s website (cityofmadison.com/clerk/elections-voting). 

You can also register to vote and have questions answered at the Northside Farmer’s Market Sundays, Oct. 3 and Oct. 10, 8:30 am‒12 pm.

Eligibility: 

In order to register to vote in Madison you must be: a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years of age on the date of the next election (November 3) and resident of Madison at least 28 days before Election Day. If convicted of a felony, you must have finished serving your sentence including probation or parole.

Voter Registration: 

When you register, you must prove your address. Registration is open until 5 pm, 20 days before an election. Wisconsin requires 28 days to establish residency at a new address. When registering, you must present Proof of Residence, a document showing your current name at your current address. 

You may also register and vote on Election Day. Be sure to have proof of residence and photo ID with you.

Proof of Address: When registering to vote, you need to present (in paper or electronic format) one of the following, showing your name and current address:

• Unexpired Wisconsin driver license or ID card,
• Utility bill from the last 90 days,
• document or check issued by the government
• Bank or credit union statement,
• Paycheck stub.

Visit the City of Madison Clerk website for a complete list. 

Voter ID: When you vote, you must prove your identity. Your photo ID does not need to show a current address. Voters without ID may vote provisionally (meaning you can vote but then must produce your ID by the Friday after Election Day in order for it to be counted). Wisconsin accepts the following forms of ID for voting:

• Wisconsin driver license or ID,
• U.S. passport,
• Military ID card,
• Certificate of naturalization issued within last two years,
• WI Tribal ID card,
• Unexpired Veterans Affairs ID card,
• Wisconsin accredited university/college ID with issuance date, signature and expiration within two years of issuance, along with proof of current enrollment.

If you do not have an acceptable ID for voting, the Dane County Voter ID Coalition can help you and can arrange a ride to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Their hotline is 608-285-2141. 

My Vote WI (myvote.wi.gov): 

Register online if you have a valid, unexpired Wisconsin driver license or Wisconsin ID, and your address on file with the DMV matches the address at which you are registering to vote. If the DMV does not have your current address on file, update your address on the DMV website before updating your voter registration at myvote.wi.gov. 

Use the website to verify your registration and update your address; register to vote completely online if your address is up to date with the DMV; request and print a registration form; look up your polling place; find out what will be on your ballot; request an absentee ballot.

Voting Absentee: 

What does it mean to vote absentee? It means voting early, either by mail or drop box or in person at an early voting site. You must request an absentee ballot from the city clerk’s office.

You can request an absentee ballot online through myvote.wi.gov. You must upload a photo of your Voter ID (unless you have voted absentee and uploaded your photo ID in the past).

If you prefer to fill out a paper request, you can download and print the form and then mail it or drop it off at the city clerk’s office with a copy of your Voter ID. 

Important Dates:

• Sept. 17: Madison City Clerk begins to mail out absentee ballots.
• Sept. 22: City Clerk drop-off sites start (with ballot witnesses); check for updates at cityofmadison.com/clerk/elections-voting.
• Sept. 26 and Oct. 3: Democracy in the Park. Drop off your absentee ballot to poll workers 9 am‒3 pm at all Madison parks.
• Oct. 14: Deadline to register online (by 11:59 pm) or by mail (postmarked Oct. 14)
• Oct. 20‒Nov. 1: Early voting is available at city clerk’s office or other early voting sites.
• Nov. 3: Presidential and General Election. You can register and vote at your polling place.

If you experience problems registering to vote, requesting an absentee ballot or voting, call the Voter Protection Hotline 608-336-3232.