Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you may instead decide to vote absentee using your home address, either in Wisconsin or another state. To learn more about absentee voting, visit Wisconsin Elections Commission or your hometown’s election commission website. 

Please note: eligible voters can only vote once in an election. For example, if you are from Illinois and vote absentee in a Presidential or Congressional Election you cannot also vote in-person in Wisconsin.

Absentee Voting and Registering to Vote Outside of Wisconsin - Plan Early

Each state has its own laws and deadlines for voter registration and absentee voting. Please check with your home state for guidelines regarding voter registration, absentee voting and deadlines for these activities. 

Please note that if you plan to vote absentee in your home state the requirements for requesting a ballot are often weeks or months in advance of the actual election date.

Note: If you are from a state that requires your absentee ballot to be notarized, Union Station in the AMU has notary services available. Contect Union Station to make and appointment to get your ballot notarized at (414) 288-7213 or contact the AMU Info Desk at (414) 288- 7250.

A list of states that required notarized absentee ballots can be found here.

Links to state elections websites: 

Voting in Wisconsin is limited to U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years old on Election Day, who have not been convicted of a felony (unless the citizen’s right to vote has been restored), and are residents for 28 consecutive days or more of the district or ward where an election is being held. The State of Wisconsin also requires eligible voters to have a voter ID, as well as follow some other requirements listed below.

Wisconsin's Voter ID Law

All eligible Wisconsin voters, including students, must show an acceptable photo ID to receive a ballot. Marquette’s Voter IDs are acceptable, please note a Marquette ID card is not an acceptable Voter ID card.   Assuming current students meet all of the eligibility requirements to vote in Wisconsin, students can apply for their Marquette Voter ID Card in Union Station, located in the lower level of the Alumni Memorial Union. Students must present their current valid Marquette ID card to obtain a Marquette Voter ID Card. 

Eligible voters will also be asked to sign their name in the poll book per Wisconsin Election Law requirements. 

Marquette Voter ID Card

Current students can also vote using a special Marquette Voter ID Card.  Assuming current students meet all of the eligibility requirements to vote in Wisconsin, students can apply for their Marquette Voter ID Card in Union Station, located in the lower level of the Alumni Memorial Union. Students must present their current valid Marquette ID card to obtain a Marquette Voter ID Card. 

Union Station hours for fall 2022 will be:

• Monday-Thursday: 8:30 AM- 5:30 PM
• Friday: 8:30 AM- 4:30 PM
• Election day, November 8, 2022 hours 7:00 AM-8:00 PM

Assuming current students meet all of the eligibility requirements to vote in Wisconsin, multiple pieces of information are required for students to register to vote.  Check the My Vote Wisconsin website to check if you have previously registered to vote and/or if you need to input your information or update your voter information.  Options for registering include online registration (for those eligible); by mail; in person; or at your polling place on Election Day. 

Students who have been issued a Wisconsin driver license or Wisconsin Department of Transportation State ID Card that is current and valid must provide the number and expiration date when they register to vote (they do not have to have the physical card, just the information). Students may call the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Division of Motor Vehicles at (608) 266-2353 to have the number and expiration date confirmed.

If a student has had their Wisconsin driver license revoked, suspended or expired – or their Wisconsin Department of Transportation-issued State ID Card is expired – they will need to provide the last 4 digits of their Social Security number.

Wisconsin residents must also provide a proof of residence document when registering to vote in Wisconsin. A proof of residence document is a form that proves where you live in Wisconsin. Marquette students can use the Voter ID Fee Statement on CheckMarq, which includes the student’s address.

If you have not been issued a Wisconsin driver license or Wisconsin Department of Transportation-issued State ID Card, you must provide the last 4 digits of your Social Security number. If you have none of these documents, you will be able to indicate that fact.

Marquette Voter ID Card

Current students can also vote using a special Marquette Voter ID Card.  Assuming current students meet all of the eligibility requirements to vote in Wisconsin, students can apply for their Marquette Voter ID Card in Union Station, located in the lower level of the Alumni Memorial Union. Students must present their current valid Marquette ID card to obtain a Marquette Voter ID Card. 

Union Station hours for fall 2022 will be:

• Monday-Thursday: 8:30 AM- 5:30 PM
• Friday: 8:30 AM- 4:30 PM

No, you may register to vote in Wisconsin if you have been a resident for 28 days and meet the other criteria. Marquette will count the residency period from the first day of class.  Though you do not have to vote absentee, the Wisconsin Elections Commission and many other states are encouraging voters to do so because of the pandemic.

Registering to Vote

Under Wisconsin law, a proof of residence document is always needed when registering to vote. If students have registered to vote in the past they can verify that the address and polling location match their current address online.

If a student previously registered but has since moved, the student needs to re-register to vote. You need to reregister even if you live in the same residence hall or apartment building but have moved to a different dorm room or apartment within the building. In Wisconsin, eligible voters must reside at their address, including a change in apartment or residence hall number, for at least 28 days by Election Day in order to register to vote in that election district or ward.

Check the My Vote Wisconsin website to check if you have previously registered to vote and/or if you need to input your information or update your voter information.  Options for registering include online registration (for those eligible); by mail; in person; or at your polling place on Election Day. 

Students who have been issued a Wisconsin driver license or Wisconsin Department of Transportation State ID Card that is current and valid must provide the number and expiration date when they register to vote (they do not have to have the physical card, just the information). Students may call the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Division of Motor Vehicles at (608) 266-2353 to have the number and expiration date confirmed.

If a student has had their Wisconsin driver license revoked, suspended or expired – or their Wisconsin Department of Transportation-issued State ID Card is expired – they will need to provide the last 4 digits of their Social Security number.

Wisconsin residents must also provide a proof of residence document when registering to vote in Wisconsin. A proof of residence document is a form that proves where you live in Wisconsin. Marquette students can use the Voter ID Fee Statement on CheckMarq, which includes the student’s address.

If you have not been issued a Wisconsin driver license or Wisconsin Department of Transportation-issued State ID Card, you must provide the last 4 digits of your Social Security number. If you have none of these documents, you will be able to indicate that fact. 

The Wisconsin Elections Commission has indicated that electronic copies of a current or expired MU Voter ID Cards (This is not the same as your Marquette ID Card, please see the Marquette Voter ID Card section) combined with a Voter ID Fee Statement of your current address can be used to register to vote only.  Electronic copies of an MU Voter ID Card or an expired Marquette Voter ID Card combined with a current fee statement receipt cannot be used to vote in Wisconsin.  For currently enrolled students with an expired Marquette Voter ID Card, please use the Voter ID Fee Statement on CheckMarq, which includes the student’s address, to vote.

In Wisconsin, if you are registering to vote, you will need to provide documentation proving your residency. There are 4 ways to register to vote in Wisconsin:

• By mail- postmarked no later than the 3rd Wednesday before the election. Registration forms should be mailed to your municipal clerk. You can start your voter registration form online at http://myvote.wi.gov. Your form must be printed, signed, and mailed or delivered, to your municipal clerk. You must always provide a Proof of Residence document when registering. If you are registering by mail, you can use any of the forms of Proof of residence except a residential lease.

• Online at www.myvote.wi.gov no later than the 3rd Wednesday before the election. Voters who have a valid State of Wisconsin Driver License or State of Wisconsin ID card issued by the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can register to vote online on the MyVote Wisconsin website: http://myvote.wi.gov. To register online, the voter must enter a name, date of birth, Driver License, or ID number, and an address that matches what is on file with the Wisconsin DMV. If all of the fields match, the voter will be able to register to vote completely online without needing to print, sign, or mail the form and without needing to send a proof of residence document. Voters who are not able to match their information with the information in the DMV database will be given the option to register by mail (see instructions above).  Please note, if you are a Marquette student, current or expired MU Voter ID Cards (This is not the same as your Marquette ID Card, please see the Marquette Voter ID Card section) combined with a Voter ID Fee Statement of your current address can be used to register to vote you will need to upload both of these items into one document as the MyVoteWisconsin website only allows for one document to be uploaded.  Marquette students can use the Voter ID Fee Statement on CheckMarq, which includes the student’s address.
• In your municipal clerk’s office. - Please check you clerks office for deadlines.
• At the polls on Election Day. When registering on Election Day, you must must the eligibility and identification requirements noted above.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission is encouraging eligible voters in Wisconsin to please request your absentee ballot as soon as possible by visiting myvote.wi.gov.

These are acceptable for voting purposes, and can be unexpired or expired after the date of the most recent general election (currently, expired after 11/03/2020):

• A Wisconsin DOT-issued driver license, even if driving privileges are revoked or suspended, with or without a star in the right-hand corner.
• A Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card, with or without a star in the right-hand corner.
• A Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card or driver license without a photo issued under the religious exemption
• Military ID card issued by a U.S. uniformed service
• A U.S. passport
• An identification card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in Wisconsin (May be used even if expired before the most recent general election.)
• A photo identification card issued by a Wisconsin accredited university or college that contains date of issuance, signature of student, and an expiration date no later than two years after date of issuance. (May be used even if expired before the most recent general election.)  

• Please note, for currently enrolled Marquette students, this is not your Marquette ID Card, but a Marquette Voter ID Card.  Please see more information in the Marquette Voter ID Card section.

• If the university or college ID is expired, the student ID must be accompanied by a separate document that proves current enrollment.  
• Please note, for currently enrolled Marquette students, this is not your Marquette ID Card, but an expired Marquette Voter ID Card which needs to be accompanied by a document that proves your current enrollment.  Marquette students can use the Voter ID Fee Statement on CheckMarq, which includes the student’s address.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission has created the chart below to better determine what is needed with respect to a Student Voter ID for the purposes of voting in Wisconsin (Please note, at Marquette, the Marquette Voter ID Card is not the regular student ID card). 

 

These photo IDs are also acceptable for voting purposes, but must be unexpired:

• NEW: A veteran’s photo identification card issued by the Veterans Health Administration of the federal Department of Veterans Affairs
• A certificate of naturalization that was issued not earlier than two years before the date of an election at which it is presented
• A driving receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT (valid for 45 days)
• An identification card receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT (valid for 45 days)
• A temporary identification card receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT through the Identification Petition Process (IDPP) (valid for 180 days)
• A citation or notice of intent to revoke or suspend a Wisconsin DOT-issued driver license that is dated within 60 days of the date of the election.

Acceptable Proof of Residence Documents in Wisconsin

Under 2013 Wisconsin Act 182, which became effective on April 4, 2014, ALL eligible Wisconsin voters must provide a document establishing their proof of residence as part of the voter registration application.

All proof of residence documents must contain voter’s current name and address.

• A WI Driver License/ID Card, if not expired or canceled; may be used even if driving privileges have been revoked
• Any other official identification card or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body or unit
• An employee ID card with a photograph, but not a business card
• A real property tax bill or receipt for the current year or the year preceding the date of the election
• A residential lease (does not count as proof of residence if elector submits form by mail)
• A picture ID from a university, college or technical college coupled with a fee receipt or an on-campus housing listing provided by the university, college or technical college. Please note that only a Marquette Voter ID card meets the criteria of a college identification card and your regular Marquette ID card will not work for these purposes.  Marquette students can use the Voter ID Fee Statement on CheckMarq, which includes the student’s address.
• A utility bill for the period commencing not earlier than 90 days before the day registration is made
• (Homeless voters only) A letter from an organization that provides services to the homeless that identifies the voter and describes the location designated as the person’s residence for voting purposes
• A contract/intake document prepared by a residential care facility indicating that the occupant resides in the facility
• A bank/credit card statement
• A paycheck or pay stub
  • A check or other document issued by a unit of government

Please note, due to COVID-19, polling locations in the City of Milwaukee listed on this website are subject to change. If you plan to vote in-person and not vote by absentee ballot, please be sure to verify your polling location by checking the City of Milwaukee’s website. 

Wisconsin’s Voter Laws require both Proof of Residence documents and an acceptable Voter ID Card. 

If a student previously registered but has since moved, the student needs to re-register to vote. You need to reregister even if you live in the same residence hall or apartment building but have moved to a different dorm room or apartment within the building. In Wisconsin, eligible voters must reside at their address, including a change in apartment or residence hall number, for at least 28 days by Election Day in order to register to vote in that election district or ward. 

These are acceptable for voting purposes, and can be unexpired or expired after the date of the most recent general election (currently,experied after 11/03/2020):

• A Wisconsin DOT-issued driver license, even if driving privileges are revoked or suspended, with or without a star in the right-hand corner.
• A Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card, with or without a star in the right-hand corner.
• A Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card or driver license without a photo issued under the religious exemption
• Military ID card issued by a U.S. uniformed service
• A U.S. passport
• An identification card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in Wisconsin (May be used even if expired before the most recent general election.)
• A photo identification card issued by a Wisconsin accredited university or college that contains date of issuance, signature of student, and an expiration date no later than two years after date of issuance. (May be used even if expired before the most recent general election.)  Please note, for currently enrolled Marquette students, this is not your Marquette ID Card, but a Marquette Voter ID Card.  Please see more information in the Marquette Voter ID Card section.
• If the university or college ID is expired, the student ID must be accompanied by a separate document that proves current enrollment.  Please note, for currently enrolled Marquette students, this is not your Marquette ID Card, but an expired Marquette Voter ID Card which needs to be accompanied by a document that proves your current enrollment.  Marquette students can use the Voter ID Fee Statement on CheckMarq, which includes the student’s address.

These photo IDs are also acceptable for voting purposes, but must be unexpired:

• NEW: A veteran’s photo identification card issued by the Veterans Health Administration of the federal Department of Veterans Affairs
• A certificate of naturalization that was issued not earlier than two years before the date of an election at which it is presented
• A driving receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT (valid for 45 days)
• An identification card receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT (valid for 45 days)
• A temporary identification card receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT through the Identification Petition Process (IDPP) (valid for 180 days)
• A citation or notice of intent to revoke or suspend a Wisconsin DOT-issued driver license that is dated within 60 days of the date of the election.

Acceptable Proof of Residence Documents in Wisconsin

Under 2013 Wisconsin Act 182, which became effective on April 4, 2014, ALL eligible Wisconsin voters must provide a document establishing their proof of residence as part of the voter registration application.

All proof of residence documents must contain voter’s current name and address.

• A WI Driver License/ID Card, if not expired or canceled; may be used even if driving privileges have been revoked
• Any other official identification card or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body or unit
• An employee ID card with a photograph, but not a business card
• A real property tax bill or receipt for the current year or the year preceding the date of the election
• A residential lease (does not count as proof of residence if elector submits form by mail)
• A picture ID from a university, college or technical college coupled with a fee receipt or an on-campus housing listing provided by the university, college or technical college. Please note that only a Marquette Voter ID card meets the criteria of a college identification card and your regular Marquette ID card will not work for these purposes.  Marquette students can use the Voter ID Fee Statement on CheckMarq, which includes the student’s address.
• A utility bill for the period commencing not earlier than 90 days before the day registration is made
• (Homeless voters only) A letter from an organization that provides services to the homeless that identifies the voter and describes the location designated as the person’s residence for voting purposes
• A contract/intake document prepared by a residential care facility indicating that the occupant resides in the facility
• A bank/credit card statement
• A paycheck or pay stub
  • A check or other document issued by a unit of government