As we celebrate National Voter Education Week, the City Clerk's Office has been answering questions from college students who are preparing to vote in their very first election.
As a college student, you may either register to vote at your campus address, or at your hometown address. Which address you choose is a personal decision. You may only be registered at one address.
To be eligible to vote, you must:
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Be 18 years old by Election Day.
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Be a U.S. citizen.
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Establish residency at your voting address at least 28 days before the election.
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Not currently be serving a sentence for a felony.
It can be helpful to make a voting plan.
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Register to vote.
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Online: If you have a Wisconsin driver license or Wisconsin ID, and your address is up-to-date with the DMV, register to vote online at MyVote.wi.gov.
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At the City Clerk's Office: Bring proof of address to the Clerk's Office at least two weeks before Election Day.
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At any Madison Public Library: Bring proof of address to the any Madison Public Library location by October 16.
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By mail: Go to MyVote.wi.gov to fill out the registration form. Mail the form and proof of address to the City Clerk's Office. Postmark must be no later than October 16.
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At an Absentee Voting site: Register to vote at an Absentee Voting site with proof of address. This option begins October 22 and ends Friday, November 1.
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At the polls: You can register at the polls on Election Day, November 5, with proof of address.
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Decide which ID you will use
The address on your ID does not matter for proving your identity when voting. Wisconsin only accepts certain types of ID as voter ID. A driver license or ID card from another state is not accepted as a voter ID in Wisconsin. Here are the acceptable types of voter ID in Wisconsin:
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Wisconsin driver license or ID expiring after 11/8/2022 (the date of the last November election) -- the address on the ID does not matter for proving your identity
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U.S. Passport expiring after 11/8/2022 (the date of the last November election)
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Military ID expiring after 11/8/2022 (the date of the last November election)
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Certificate of naturalization issued within last 2 years
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Unexpired WI driver license or ID receipt
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Tribal ID card (expiration does not matter)
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ID from an accredited college or university in Wisconsin that expires within two years of issuance and contains the student's signature -- if expired, also need proof of current enrollment
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Edgewood College ID-if expired, also need proof of current enrollment
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UW Voter ID card (not the WisCard)-if expired, also need proof of current enrollment
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Unexpired Veterans Affairs ID
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Find your Sample Ballot
You can see your sample ballot at MyVote.wi.gov.
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Decide how you will Exercise your Right to Vote
The goal of the City Clerk's Office is that each eligible voter will be able to cast a ballot and have that ballot counted.