How to Register to Vote

New Voter Registration Application

As of January 1, 2003, the federal “Help American Vote Act of 2002,” requires any person registering to vote to: 

1. Supply their Wisconsin Department of Transportation-issued driver’s license or identification card number. If the elector has not been issued a Wisconsin driver’s license or I.D., they must provide the last 4 digits of their Social Security Number. Or, the applicant may indicate that they have been issued neither a Wisconsin driver’s license or Wisconsin I.D. nor a social security number. (Box 2 on Form EB-131) The registration cannot be processed until the elector provides this information.

2. Answer the following questions (Box 8 on Form EB-131):

• Are you a citizen of the United States of America?

• Will you be 18 years of age on or before the election?

The registration cannot be processed until the elector answers these questions.

Anyone wishing to vote in the state of Wisconsin has three options to register:

1. BY MAIL: Download the Application for Voter Registration (EB131), complete the form and mail it to your municipal clerk’s office. (For the correct address, please refer to the Listing of Local Municipal Clerks.)

The application must be postmarked no later than the 13th day before the election.

PLEASE NOTE: As of January 1, 2003, the federal “Help America Vote Act of 2002” requires any person registering to vote for the first time and submitting a registration application by mail to provide a copy of acceptable identification. Acceptable identification is either a current and valid photo identification OR one of the following that shows the name and address of the voter: 

• A current utility bill

• A bank statement

• A government check

• A pay check

• A government document

The copy of the form of identification must be included when submitting the registration application. If a copy of identification is not included, the elector will be required to supply it before being issued a ballot at the polling place or before being issued an absentee ballot.

2. IN PERSON: Register in the municipal clerk’s office up to 5:00 p.m. on the day before the election. 

NOTE: After the BY MAIL deadline, an elector voting in person in the clerk’s office shall present acceptable proof of residence as outlined below.

1. AT THE POLLING PLACE ON ELECTION DAY: If you wish to register to vote at your polling place, you must bring proof that you have lived at your present location for 10 days preceding the election. For purposes of voter registration, a form of identification constitutes acceptable proof of residence if it includes:

• A current and complete name, including both the given and family name; and

• A current and complete residential address, including a numbered street address, if any, and the name of a municipality.

Proof of Residence

The following constitute acceptable Proof-of-Residence if the document contains the information specified above:

• A Wisconsin motor vehicle operator’s license

• A Wisconsin identification card

• Any other official identification card or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body or unit or by an employer in the normal course of business, but not including a business card

• A credit card or plate

• A library card

• A check-cashing or courtesy card issued by a merchant in the normal course of business

• A real estate tax bill or receipt for the current year or the year preceding the date of the election

• A residential lease which is effective for a period that includes election day

• A university, college or technical institute fee card

• A university, college or technical institute identification card

• An airplane pilot’s license

• A gas, electric or telephone service statement for the period commencing not earlier than 90 days before election day

At this time, Proof-of-Residence is all that a voter needs to register at the polling place on Election Day. If you cannot supply acceptable Proof-of-Residence, your registration form can be substantiated and signed by one other elector who resides in your municipality, corroborating your residency information. The corroborator must then provide acceptable Proof-of-Residence.

For further information, please contact your municipal clerk. You may consult the Listing of all Wisconsin Municipal Clerks for contact information.

HINT: Use the Search feature on your Adobe® Reader to search for a specific municipality or clerk.