Need to know: Voter registration, absentee ballots

Election Day, Nov. 3, is approaching whether we are ready for it or not. Political ads are flooding TV, social media and mailboxes, all in an attempt to draw your vote for a specific presidential candidate.

In Wisconsin, we will also choose congressional representatives, state senators (even-numbered districts), all state representatives and all district attorneys.

The Dairy Business Association wants to make sure you are prepared, particularly regarding voter registration and absentee voting, if that’s a route you choose to take.

First, registration.

Wisconsin is one of a handful of states to allow same-day registration. This means that even if you do not register to vote prior to Election Day, and you meet the eligibility requirements, you can show up at your polling location, register on-site and cast your ballot.

There are other methods to register ahead of time — online, by mail and in person at your clerk’s office.

Remember these registration deadlines:

• Oct. 14 — Deadline to register online (by 11:59 p.m.) or by-mail (postmarked). Register to vote online here.  If you want to mail in your registration, print off this form and send it to your municipal clerk.
• Oct.  30 at 5 p.m. — Deadline to register in-person at your clerk’s office or other designated location.
• Nov. 3 — You can register at your polling place on Election Day.

Second, absentee ballots.

Once registered to vote, you mut request an absentee ballot. Here are the deadlines:

By mail

• Oct. 29 at 5 p.m. — Deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail for regular and overseas voters.
• Oct. 30 at 5 p.m. — Deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail for indefinitely confined voters and military voters who are not on active duty.

Online

• Registered voters may request an absentee ballot online here.
• Oct. 29 at 5 p.m. — Deadline to request a ballot online to be mailed to you. If you have not previously provided a copy of photo ID, one must accompany your online ballot application.

Please contact me if you have questions.

Chad Zuleger
Associate director of government affairs