FAQs on Voting in Madison
Do I need to show ID at the polls?
No. There is a legislative proposal that would require voters to show ID at the polls, but that bill has not passed. Nothing has changed since the last election.
How can I get an absentee ballot mailed to me?
Send the Clerk’s Office a note requesting an absentee ballot. The note should include your name, address, and signature. It can be sent to: City Clerk, 210 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd #103, Madison, WI 53703.
How can I vote early?
You can vote absentee in the City Clerk’s Office Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (began March 21), Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the Saturday before the election (Saturday, April 2) from 9 a.m. to noon, and the day before the election (Monday, April 4) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Are people voting in the Clerk’s Office now?
Yes, people are voting absentee in the City Clerk’s Office now. If they decide to change their vote on Election Day, they may vote at the polls as long as they show up at their polling place before the Election Officials process their ballot.
Is voting in the Clerk’s Office before Election Day the same as receiving a ballot through the mail?
Yes, both are methods of absentee voting. The advantage of voting absentee in the Clerk’s Office is that you do not need to worry about whether the Post Office delivers your ballot to the Clerk’s Office by Election Day.
Do you need to give an excuse for absentee voting, or can you vote absentee because it is convenient?
Voters do not need to provide a reason for voting absentee. You can vote absentee even if you will be in Madison on Election Day.
Can I pick up an absentee ballot?
No. Absentee ballots can only leave the City Clerk’s Office through the mail.
How can I get a ballot for my son or daughter?
Your children will need to submit their own absentee requests. Please direct them towww.cityofmadison.com/election.
Will my absentee ballot be counted?
Yes, it will be counted as long as it contains your signature and the signature of a witness, and is received in the Clerk’s Office by Election Day. The Clerk’s Office keeps your ballot in its vault until Election Day, and then delivers it to your polling place to be counted.
Is my absentee ballot a secret ballot?
Yes. The Election Officials will mark the poll book to indicate that you have voted. Once your absentee ballot envelope is opened, though, your ballot is separated from the envelope and fed into the tabulator to be counted.
How can I register to vote?
You can register to vote in the City Clerk’s Office before the election, or at the polls on Election Day. You will need to show proof of residence (utility bill, bank statement, driver’s license, Wisconsin ID card, or any government check or government document that shows your name at your current address).
How do I find my polling place?
Voters may look up their polling location, voter registration, absentee ballot status, and voting history athttps://vpa.wi.gov.