A guide to voter rights in Wisconsin. What you need to know before you cast a ballot
EDITOR'S NOTE: This page is part of a comprehensive guide to state voting rights across the U.S. and in Puerto Rico.
Wisconsin was among the earliest states to grant voting access to Black residents and then to women. And because elections are handled at the municipal level, for much of the 20th century, many voters didn’t even need to register to vote. For years, Wisconsin ranked near the top in voter participation. When Republicans took control of the governor’s mansion and Legislature in 2010, they pushed through a voter ID law. Meanwhile, ballot boxes became more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. But scrutiny over the process led the state Supreme Court to ban unstaffed ballot boxes. As a key battleground state, Wisconsin's voting laws have been under intense national scrutiny since 2020.
How many cases of voter fraud in Wisconsin were there in 2020?
There were 16 people charged with voting illegally in 2020, a number on par with previous elections. A total of 94 fraud cases were referred to district attorneys, but the remainder are pending or were dismissed.
Source: Wisconsin Elections Commission
Can felons vote in Wisconsin?
Voting rights are immediately restored to those with felony convictions when they go "off paper", meaning they completed parole, probation, or extended supervision.
What ID do I need to vote in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin residents must present an acceptable form of photo ID. Acceptable forms include Wisconsin driver's licenses, Wisconsin Department of Transportation IDs, military IDs, U.S. passports and certain university IDs.
Source: Wisconsin Elections Commission
How do I vote early in Wisconsin?
Early in-person absentee voting in Wisconsin begins 14 days before each election and ends the Sunday before the election. Municipalities determine voting hours.
Source: National Council of State Legislatures
How does absentee voting work in Wisconsin?
Registered voters can request absentee ballots online without giving a reason. Ballots can be dropped off at polling places or clerk's offices during early voting or on election day, or mailed and received before election day. Ballots must be physically submitted by voters themselves.
Does Wisconsin allow mail-in voting?
Registered voters in Wisconsin can request absentee ballots online without reason. Ballots can be dropped off at polling places or clerk's offices during early voting or on election day, or mailed and received before election day. Ballots must be physically submitted or mailed by voters themselves.
Wisconsin Supreme Court played role in Wisconsin redistricting maps
The Wisconsin state Legislature draws maps that are subject to the governor's veto. In 2020, the Republican-led Legislature and Democratic Gov. Tony Evers could not agree on Congressional or state legislative maps, throwing responsibility to the courts. The state Supreme Court in a 4-3 decision picked a Congressional map drawn by Evers and a state legislative map drawn by Republicans.
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
What is allowed at my Wisconsin polling place?
Electioneering is prohibited on public property within 100 feet of the entrance to a polling location. Political candidates may not visit polling places where their name is on the ballot. Election observers must register with the Chief Inspector and cannot hand out campaign literature, wear campaign merchandise or otherwise interact with voters.
Source: Wisconsin State Statutes, Chapter 12
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin 2022 voter rights: What to know before election day
