What to Expect at the Polls

The City Clerk’s Office encourages voters to verify their polling location at https://MyVote.wi.gov before heading to the polls tomorrow. Redistricting in May changed some ward lines, which may affect where you vote.

The busiest times at the polls tend to be when the polls open at 7 a.m., and at the end of the workday, around 5 p.m. The Clerk’s Office staffs the polls to keep voter lines down to a 15-minute wait or less after the initial morning rush.

Poll Book
If you are pre-registered, you will check-in at the poll book. You will announce your name and address. If you are unable to state your name and address due to a disability, you may have someone else do so on your behalf.

Poll workers will find your name and address on the poll book and check your voter ID. The address on your ID doesn’t matter. Certain types of ID may be expired. Licenses and ID cards from other states are not accepted. Here are the acceptable types of voter ID:

• Wisconsin driver license – may be expired as long at the expiration date is after 11/8/2022
  • Wisconsin DOT-issued photo ID card - may be expired as long as the expiration date is after 11/8/2022
    • U.S. passport - may be expired as long as the expiration date is after 11/8/2022
    • Military ID card - may be expired as long as the expiration date is after 11/8/2022
    • Certificate of naturalization issued within last 2 years
    • Unexpired Wisconsin driver license or state ID receipt
    • Unexpired ID receipt issued by the Wisconsin DOT through the ID Petition Process
    • ID card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe, regardless of expiration date
    • Unexpired ID issued by a Wisconsin accredited university or college—must contain issuance date, student signature, and expiration date within 2 years of issuance. If expired, must also show proof of current enrollment.
    • Unexpired ID issued by the Veterans Health Administration

Poll workers will check that the ID is an acceptable type of ID, the expiration date is okay for that type of ID, the name reasonably conforms with the name on the poll book, and the photo reasonably resembles you.

You will be asked to sign the poll book. If a physical disability prevents you from signing the poll book, let the poll workers know.

Poll workers assign a sequential number to each voter. The first voter of the day gets voter slip #1. Poll workers write your voter slip number next to your name in both poll books. They give you a voter slip to take to the ballot table.

Ballot Table
You’ll exchange your voter slip for your ballot. Two poll workers will initial your ballot. You can get a ballot to mark with a pen, or a ballot card to mark using a printer. Not only does the ExpressVote accessible voting device have a touchscreen, it offers large print, high contrast, a Braille keypad, Spanish translation, and is compatible with sip & puff devices.

Voting Booth
Let a poll worker know if you need assistance marking your ballot. You may choose anyone other than your employer or union representative to assist you with marking your ballot. The name and address of the person providing assistance is documented on the poll book. The assistant also signs the ballot.

Tabulator
Feed your ballot into the tabulator to be counted. You may insert it in any orientation. Wait for the screen to say, “Thank you for voting. Your ballot has been counted.”

Election Day Voter Registration
Voters who aren’t registered at their current address may register at the polls, with proof of address. Proof of address is required when registering to vote. These documents can be used to prove your address:

• Utility bill that covers a time frame within the past 90 days (water, gas, electric, cable, internet, landline or cellular phone)
• Bank or credit union statement
• Current and valid Wisconsin driver license or Wisconsin identification card
• Paycheck or paystub
• Document issued by a unit of government
• Check issued by a unit of government
• Residential lease effective on the day of registration
• Affidavit from an agency providing homeless services
• Edgewood College fee statement showing local address, accompanied by an Edgewood College student ID
• Intake document from a residential care facility
• Edgewood College ID or UW-Madison ID if on certified housing list for a residence hall

One poll worker will make sure your form is complete and will check your proof of address. They will send you to a second poll worker who will add you to the Election Day supplemental poll list. The second poll worker will confirm that your form is complete. They will check your voter ID, have you sign the poll list, and give you a voter slip.

The goal of the City Clerk’s Office is that each eligible voter will be able to cast a ballot and have that ballot counted.