Are You Ready To Vote?
Marquette University encourages our students to take part in the election process. You will have the opportunity to vote in several elections in Wisconsin this year – from the 2012 presidential race to potential recall elections to various local races like the Milwaukee mayoral race.
Last year, the Wisconsin State Legislature passed a law requiring voters in the state to show an ID card when registering to vote and at the polls. College ID cards are one of several accepted forms of identification. Marquette will be issuing a separate voter identification card through Union Station to students who wish to vote on campus.
There are several pieces of information we want you to be aware of so that you can obtain your ID, register, and vote with as little hassle as possible.
Eligibility requirements:
You will need to fill out an application for a MU Voter ID Card and certify that you meet applicable voter eligibility requirements. Applications are also available at Union Station.
Voting in Wisconsin is limited to U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years old on election day, who are residents for 28 consecutive days or more of the district or ward where an election is being held, and who are not currently serving a sentence (including probation or parole) for a felony conviction.
Additionally, some students who are registered for Marquette classes but are students elsewhere may not be eligible either. Those include:
- Alumni, crosstown ROTC students, high school students or MIAD students registered for courses at Marquette
- Visiting students registered for courses through Marquette at Les Aspin as well as in Madrid and in South Africa
Account Activity Reports:
An Account Activity Report, or e-bill receipt, needs to accompany your ID when you register as well as vote. As proof of your current enrollment, the report must have your campus address on it. Log in through Checkmarq at any time to update your address.
ID Card Pick Up:
Voter ID cards can be picked up at any time at Union Station. Beginning Jan. 17, prior to each election, tables will be set up in the rooms outside Union Station for you to get your ID and register to vote.
You will be able to pick up your voter ID any time at Union Station. To expedite the process, print out the application and fill it out ahead of time. Applications are also available at Union Station.
Additional staff will be available during the following days:
Jan. 17 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. AMU 157 during Upass distribution
Jan. 18 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. AMU 157 during Upass distribution
Jan. 25 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. AMU 163
Feb. 8 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. AMU 163
Feb. 21 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. AMU 157
Printer stations will be available during those times if you’d like to print out your account activity report as well.
Voter registration:
Representatives from the City of Milwaukee Election Commission office will be present in AMU 157 on Jan. 17th and 18th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to register students to vote. You will need your account activity report at that time.
You can also register at the polls on Election Day using your Marquette Voter ID and account activity report. The Milwaukee Election Commission can provide you with more information.
If you have registered to vote, you can verify your registration and polling location online.
Additional ID cards:
You are responsible for your Voter ID card, so keep it in a safe place. Replacement cards, like your Marquette Cards, will cost $25 each.
Absentee voting:
You may instead decide to vote absentee using your home address. To learn more about absentee voting, visit Wisconsin’s Government Accountability Board or your hometown’s election commission website.
Resources:
City of Milwaukee voting locations
City of Milwaukee Election Commission
Information on voting outside Milwaukee (Wisconsin and the rest of the United States)
State of Wisconsin Voter ID information
Government Accountability Board
For information about this site or other voting information for Marquette:
Please call the Office of Public Affairs at (414) 288-7491.
