Primary election today - be prepared to vote

The Wisconsin Elections Commission would like to remind all Wisconsin voters of information for Tuesday's Primary Election:

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Elections Commission today released a list of the top things Wisconsin voters should know for the Partisan Primary on Tuesday, Aug. 13.

1. Voters planning to go to the polls on Tuesday, Aug. 13 should check the WEC’s MyVote website at https://myvote.wi.gov/ to verify their registration status, find their polling place, and see what is on their ballot.

Many local polling places have changed for the Aug. 13 Partisan Primary. The WEC’s MyVote Wisconsin website allows you to verify your polling place and provides the address of every state polling place, as well as information about what will be on each voter’s ballot.

2. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Polling place hours are the same across Wisconsin, no matter where you live. Voters need to be in line by 8 p.m. to vote.

3. Eligible electors who are not registered to vote can do so at the polls on Election Day.

Eligible electors planning to go to the polls on Election Day should check whether their registration is current at the MyVote Wisconsin website at https://myvote.wi.gov/. Voters can complete a paper registration form at their polling place on Election Day.

In order to register, a proof-of-residence document with a current address is required. Learn more at https://elections.wi.gov/Register

Online voter registration for the Nov. 5 General Election, which doesn’t require the voter to print or sign a paper form, resumes after the Aug. 13 Partisan Primary. 

4. Municipal clerks have the option of using drop boxes.

In July, the Wisconsin Supreme Court overruled its prior decision and held that secure drop boxes were permitted under state law as a valid method of absentee ballot return. The use of drop boxes is not mandatory and is at the discretion of the municipal clerk. Voters should check with their municipal clerk to see if drop boxes are being utilized in their community. Drop box locations may also be found at https://myvote.wi.gov/.

A voter may return his or her own ballot. An individual may also return the ballot of anyone he or she is lawfully assisting, such as a voter with a disability or a hospitalized voter. An individual is permitted to provide assistance to more than one disabled or hospitalized absentee voter.

5. Voters with disabilities have additional options when returning absentee ballots.

Pursuant to the Voting Rights Act, any Wisconsin voter who requires assistance with mailing or delivering an absentee ballot to the municipal clerk due to a disability must be permitted to receive assistance from a person of the voter’s choice. This person cannot be the voter’s employer or an agent of the employer. This person also cannot be an officer or agent of the voter’s union. Contact your municipal clerk if you have questions.

6. Voters who have not already mailed absentee ballots should arrange to drop them off by Election Day.

The United States Postal Service says it can take up to one week for mail to be delivered, so it is highly recommended that voters who still need to return their absentee ballot do not use the mail system to do so. Voters should contact their municipal clerk to learn where absentee ballots should be returned. Depending on the municipality, options include dropping them off at their municipal clerk’s office or, if available, in a secure drop box.

Voters should check with their municipal clerk about which return options are available on Election Day. Depending on the municipality, voters may deliver absentee ballots directly to a voter’s normal polling place, but it must arrive before polls close at 8 p.m. Voters who return absentee ballots to their clerk’s office or a municipal drop box on Election Day should do so as early as possible, because the ballot must be picked up and delivered to the polling place or central count facility by 8 p.m. Municipalities that process absentee ballots in central count facilities may require the voter to return the absentee ballot directly to the central count facility.

7. You may only vote for candidates of one party in the primary.

Unlike most other states, Wisconsin law gives voters the freedom to choose which political party’s primary they wish to vote in without having to register to vote with a party affiliation or designation. However, an elector may only vote within one party’s primary on the August ballot. If an elector chose a party in the Party Preference Section, and voted in more than one party’s primary, the votes within the party of their choice will be counted, while those in the other party are not counted. If a voter did not choose a party, and voted in more than one party’s primary, no votes will be counted for any partisan contest. If you make a mistake when voting in person at a polling place on Election Day, such as voting for candidates in more than one party, you may return the ballot to an election inspector and cast another one, up to three times (only one ballot may be submitted to be counted).

8. You need an acceptable photo ID to vote and your ID for voting does not need to show your current address.

Your acceptable photo ID for voting does not need to show your current address. Most voters already have the photo ID they need to vote, such as a Wisconsin Driver License or ID. If you have ID questions, please visit the Bring It to the Ballot website or call 1-866-VOTE-WIS for information.  A voter who does not have an acceptable photo ID must be offered a provisional ballot and the opportunity to submit a photo ID within three days after the election.

9. Your vote is secure.

Wisconsin’s election systems are secure thanks to the Wisconsin Elections Commission’s strong partnerships with federal and state agencies and local election officials.

Before Election Day, election officials across Wisconsin will have tested their voting equipment in a session completely open to the public. Learn more here: https://elections.wi.gov/news/public-testing-voting-equipment-can-begin-saturday

10. Consider becoming a poll worker.

Wisconsin cities, villages and towns always need more civic-minded people to help out on Election Day. Many clerks offer split shifts if you can’t work the entire day. Contact your local municipal clerk’s office for more information or visit the MyVote Wisconsin website.

11. During election season, Wisconsinites may receive many unwanted texts and mailers from third parties providing information about the voting process. Electors should keep in mind that election officials are the most reliable source of information about elections.

Third party groups collect voters’ personal data, including phone numbers and addresses, through a variety of means. Groups can then send communications to voters using the personal information they obtained. The WEC is not affiliated with these groups, and has no control over their communications. 

What voters can do is rely on trusted sources for information about the voting process. These trusted sources include the Wisconsin Elections Commission, your municipal clerk, or your county clerk.

You can also go to https://myvote.wi.gov/, a website run by the Elections Commission, to learn more, including how to contact your clerk.

12. There are two statewide referenda on Tuesday’s ballot.

The Type C Notice of Referendum, which is available on the WEC website, includes an explanation from the Attorney General about the effect of a “yes” or a “no” vote. The Type C Notice can be found at the following link: https://elections.wi.gov/memo/notice-referendum-election-august-13-2024

The Type C Notice will also be posted at each polling site.