Wisconsin

You must show photo ID to vote in person.

You need to provide a copy or photo of an accepted ID the first time you request an absentee ballot.

Learn About Voting In Person
Learn About Voting By Mail
LEARN ABOUT VOTER REGISTRATION IN WISCONSIN

Wisconsin ID Requirements for Voting In Person

Wisconsin requires photo ID to vote in person.

Accepted Photo IDs

Most people show: 
Ok if expired after November 8, 2022 

  • Wisconsin driver’s license
  • Wisconsin state ID card
  • US passport
  • Military identification 

If you’re a student, you can show student ID issued by institution accredited in Wisconsin:

  • Must have your signature 
  • Must show issuance date and expiration date 
  • Must expire within 2 years of issuance date 
  • If your student ID is expired, you must also present current proof of enrollment (For example a tuition fee receipt or course schedule).

You can also show: 

  • Veterans Affairs Card (Unexpired or no expiration date)
  • Tribal ID issued by tribe in Wisconsin (Can be expired) 
  • Certificate of Naturalization (Issued within 2 years)
  • Photo receipt from Wisconsin DMV 

⭑⭑⭑

VoteRiders is here to help!
Contact us if you have questions or need free help getting ID.

Download info card

Frequently Asked Questions

You can get a free Wisconsin state ID card if you need one to vote. 

The DMV issues state ID card for free to Wisconsin residents who are US citizens aged 18 or older by the next election.

Just check “ID for FREE” box on your Wisconsin Identification Card application!

You will be required to provide proof of:

  • Legal name (including documentation of any changes)
  • Date of Birth
  • Identity
  • Wisconsin Residency (for example: utility bill, government mail, rental lease, etc.)
  • US Citizenship (for example: birth certificate, US passport, immigration paperwork, etc.)
  • Social Security number (SSN) (if you have one)

The DMV will give you a receipt for your state ID card that has your photo on it. You can use this receipt to vote within 45 days of receiving it.

DMV Petition Process

If you don’t have all the required documents for a state ID card, you can verify your identity through the DMV’s ID petition process. 

Bring any documents you do have to the DMV and submit your application. The DMV will mail you an ID petition process receipt (marked “FOR VOTING PURPOSES ONLY”) that has your photo. You can use this receipt to vote within 60 days.

Your photo receipt will be sent overnight or by next-day mail if it is being issued directly before or after an election.

The DMV will then verify your identity and information before issuing you a permanent Wisconsin state ID card.

⭑⭑⭑

VoteRiders is here to help! 
Contact us if you have questions or need free help getting documents to prove your identity and residency.

If you are a registered Wisconsin voter but do not present an accepted photo ID when voting in person, you have to cast a provisional ballot.

Provisional ballots make sure eligible voters are not rejected at the polls. You need to take extra steps for your vote to count!

How to Make a Provisional Ballot Count 

You can either return with an accepted photo ID before the polls close on Election Day or bring one to your municipal clerk’s office by 4 pm on the Friday after the election.

Find your local Municipal Clerk

If you do not have an accepted photo ID, you can get a free Wisconsin state ID card. Check the FAQ above “How can I get a free ID to vote in Wisconsin?” for more info.

⭑⭑⭑

VoteRiders is here to help! 
Contact us if you have questions or need free help getting ID.

You must present a physical ID to vote in Wisconsin. You cannot use an image, copy, or digital ID when you are voting in person.

⭑⭑⭑

VoteRiders is here to help! 
Contact us if you have questions or need free help getting ID.

You do not need a “REAL ID” to vote in Wisconsin.

REAL ID is a set of national security standards for states to follow when they issue driver’s licenses and state ID cards. Your ID will show a star if it meets REAL ID standards.

Applying for a REAL ID requires you to appear in person with a variety of documents to prove your identity.

Visit the Wisconsin DMV website to find out exactly what is required to get a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID card.

⭑⭑⭑

VoteRiders is here to help!
Contact us if you have questions or need free help getting ID.

Wisconsin ID Requirements for Voting By Mail

Any registered voter can request an absentee ballot in Wisconsin. You don’t have to give a reason why you can’t vote in person.

Requesting an Absentee Ballot

Request your absentee ballot online or from your municipal clerk’s office. You must provide a copy or photo of an accepted ID the first time you request an absentee ballot. 

 You can use any of the photo IDs that are accepted to vote in person.

Returning an Absentee Ballot

You don’t need to include any ID when you return your absentee ballot. 

Your ballot’s certificate envelope must be signed by an adult witness who is a US citizen. 

REQUEST YOUR BALLOT

Frequently Asked Questions

If you submit a defective absentee ballot—

  • Wisconsin municipal clerks are not required to contact voters to inform them that their ballot was rejected, but the clerks have the discretion to do so. If a clerk receives an absentee ballot with an improper certificate or no certificate, the clerk may return the ballot whenever there is sufficient time for you to correct the defect and return your ballot before the deadline.
  • You should check the My Vote Wisconsin website for the status of your ballot.
  • You may submit a replacement ballot, provided it is received by the municipal clerk’s office or polling place no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day. You should check with your municipal clerk’s office to confirm the deadline and proper location to return ballots. In municipalities that use the central count method of processing absentee ballots, you should deliver your ballot to the central count location.