GAB: Top 10 things voters should know for recall election

MADISON -- The Government Accountability Board has released its list of the top 10 things a Wisconsin voter should know in advance of Tuesday's recall election, June 5th.

The GAB says the number one thing voters should keep in mind is to be patient and use common sense, said Kevin Kennedy, director and general counsel of the G.A.B.

"The eyes of the nation will be on Wisconsin in the coming days, and we realize this recall election is an intense time for the voters, for election officials and the candidates. Whether it’s exercising some patience while waiting in line to vote or using some common sense about not wearing campaign apparel or buttons to the polling place, people can make this election a lot easier on themselves and everyone else involved.” GAB Director Kevin Kennedy said.

As of noon Thursday, May 31st, 164,848 absentee ballots had been issued by Wisconsin’s local election officials who track them using the Statewide Voter Registration System (SVRS).

Number two on the list is that voters should know their rights and responsibilities before heading out to the polls, Kennedy said, which includes the ability to register to vote on Election Day.

A list of voting rights and responsibilities is available here: http://gab.wi.gov/rights.

To register on Election Day, Wisconsin voters must provide proof of residence, which includes a current utility bill, lease, university ID card or other official document showing the voter’s name and current address.

Voters who have a valid Wisconsin driver’s license or state ID card will be required to use their license number to complete the registration form. Otherwise, they may use the last four digits of their Social Security number.

Third on the list, voters can check their registration status with their municipal clerk, or on the state’s Voter Public Access website: https://vpa.wi.gov.

Elections Division Administrator Nat Robinson encourages registered voters to double-check their registration online. The site allows voters to look up their voter registration information, sample ballot information and polling place locations.

Fourth, voters should know what to do if they run into a problem at the polls.

“If you see voter fraud, voter intimidation, electioneering or misconduct by election officials, we want to hear about it. Voters can go online and report problems at http://gab.wi.gov/complaints, or they can call 1-866-VOTE-WIS," Elections Division Administrator Nat Robinson said.

The remaining Top 10 things a voter should know are: