Wednesday, October 15th is the last day for voter registration drives & mail-in voter registration

MADISON (WITI) -- Wednesday, October 15th is the last day for voter registration drives and mail-in registration in Wisconsin, but voters can continue to register in their municipal clerk’s office, as well as at the polling place on Election Day.

“Open registration closes this year on October 15th, so registration forms need to be postmarked or hand-delivered to the municipal clerk’s office by then,” said Kevin J. Kennedy, Wisconsin’s chief election official. “But there are many more opportunities for voters to get registered.”

The state of Wisconsin had 3,385,151 registered voters on October 1st, 2014, compared to 3,467,021 registered voters in October 2012. The state’s current voting-age population is 4,416,501.

The G.A.B. has not yet projected voter turnout for this election, but turnout for past two regular gubernatorial elections in Wisconsin was approximately 50 percent of eligible voters (the voting age population).

Kennedy encouraged voters who need to register or update their registration to go to MyVote.WI.gov, the state’s voter information website. On the website, they can start the registration process online by filling out a registration form. Voters can print the form, sign it and deliver it to the clerk’s office by Friday, October 31st. They can also bring it with them to the polls on Election Day.

MyVoteWI.gov is the only website where voters can enter their own information directly into the state’s voter registration list, Kennedy noted.

“When you register using MyVote, your municipal clerk can approve your voter application without the hassle of retyping your information or the risk of a data entry error,” Kennedy said. All voters must now show a proof of residence document to complete their registration, regardless of when they register, Kennedy said.

That can include a valid driver license or state ID card with a current address. Anyone who does not have a driver license or state ID card can use a number of other documents that include the person’s name and current address. Acceptable documents include a residential lease, a utility bill (including telephone or cell phone), property tax bill, bank statement (not a credit card bill), paycheck, or other government-issued check or document. A full list is available at http://gab.wi.gov/publications/voter-guides/proof-of-residence. When registering in person at the clerk’s office or the polling place, the proof of residence document can be displayed on a computer screen, including laptops, tablets and smart phones.

Kennedy noted that proof of residence is different than voter photo ID, which the U.S. Supreme Court halted for the November election on October 9th.

“You may use a valid driver license or state ID card for proof of residence when you register to vote,” Kennedy said. “But you are not required to show a photo ID to get your ballot.”

Elections Division Administrator Michael Haas reminded voters that “early voting” starts next week. Voters will be able to cast in-person absentee ballots in the clerks’ office starting Monday, October 20th through Friday, October 31st. There is no early voting on weekends. Voters should check with their municipal clerk’s office for office hours. Some clerks in smaller towns may not have regular office hours, but can arrange in-person absentee voting by appointment.

Voters can find their local clerk’s contact information at MyVote.WI.gov.