CITY OF MILWAUKEE
HOW TO REGISTER TO VOTE
As of January 1, 2006, all municipalities in Wisconsin require voter registration prior to a person being allowed to vote.
The federal "Help American Vote Act of 2002" requires any person registering to vote to:
1) Supply his or her Wisconsin Desize: 7pt; color: black; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-fontpartment of Transportation - issued driver's license number. If the elector has not been issued a Wisconsin driver's license, he/she must provide the last 4 digits of their Social Security Number OR their Wisconsin state ID card number. If the elector does not have a current, valid Wisconsin driver's license, Wisconsin state ID card, or Social Security Number, the applicant may indicate this by filling in the appropriate circle on the registration form. THE REGISTRATION CANNOT BE PROCESSED UNTIL THE ELECTOR PROVIDES THIS INFORMATION.
If the voter has a current, valid Wisconsin driver's license but does not know the number and did not bring it to the polling place, poll workers should allow the voter to vote by provisional ballot. (Note: the voter CANNOT use the last 4 digits of their Social Security Number if he or she has been issued a Wisconsin driver's license). The provisional ballot will not be counted until the voter either:
a) brings his or her driver's license number to his or her polling place before the polls close at 8:00 pm on Election Day; or
b) transmits (via fax, email, telephone call or personal visit) his or her driver's license number to the municipal clerk before 4:00 pm on the day after the Election.
Anyone wishing to vote in the state of Wisconsin has three options to register:
1. BY MAIL: Download and print the Application for Voter Registration, complete the form and mail it to the City of Milwaukee Election Commission. PLEASE NOTE: State and federal law now requires that any first-time voter submitting a registration application by mail provide a copy of an acceptable identifying document that provides proof of residence. (A "first-time voter" is an individual who has not voted in an election in Wisconsin. Acceptable forms of proof of residence are outlined below. Please note that first-time voters registering by mail may not use a residential lease as proof of residence. The copy of the form of proof of residence must be included when submitting the registration application. If a copy of proof of residence is not included, the elector will be required to supply it before being issued a ballot at the polling place or before being issued an absentee ballot in the municipal clerk's office.
2. IN PERSON: At any Milwaukee Public Library before the close of registration. Contact the Election Commission for the close of registration dates for each election. You can also register in the Election Commission office up to 5:00 PM or the close of business whichever is later on the day before the election. Note: after the BY MAIL deadline, an elector voting in person in the Election Commission office is required to present acceptable proof of residence as outlined below.
3. AT THE POLLING PLACE ON ELECTION DAY: If you wish to register to vote at your polling place, you must bring proof that you have lived at your present location for at least 10 days preceding the election. For purposes of voter registration, acceptable forms of proof of residence must include:
1. A current and complete name, including both the given and family name; and
2. A current and complete residential address, including a numbered street address, if any, and the name of a municipality.
**Forms with an expiration date must be valid on Election Day.
PROOF OF RESIDENCE
The following constitute acceptable Proof-of-Residence if the document contains the information specified above:
- A current and valid Wisconsin driver's license.
- A current and valid Wisconsin identification card.
- Any other official identification card or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body or unit.
- Any identification card issued by an employer in the normal course of business and bearing a photo of the card holder, but not including a business card.
- A real estate tax bill or receipt for the current year or the year preceding the date of the election.
- A residential lease which is effective for a period that includes election day (NOT for first-time voters registering by mail).
- A university, college or technical institute fee card (must include photo).
- A university, college or technical institute identification card (must include photo).
- A gas, electric or telephone service statement (utility bill) for the period commencing not earlier than 90 days before election day.
- Bank statement.
- Paycheck.
- A check or other document issued by a unit of government.
City of Milwaukee Voter Registration Application Instructions
1. Indicate why you are submitting this application by filling in the appropriate circle (New Voter, Name Change and/or Address Change). If your municipal information has not been pre-printed, indicate the municipality and county of your residence. Ensure you use the formal names of your municipality and county. If in doubt please contact your municipal clerk to confirm this information.
2. Provide a WI Driver License or WI Department of Transportation (DOT)-issued identification number. If you have not been issued a WI Driver License/WI DOT-issued identification card, provide the last four digits of your social security number. If you have neither a WI Driver License or WI DOT-issued identification number, nor a social security number, indicate this by filling in the appropriate circle. Note: If you have, but do not provide, a WI DOT-issued Driver License/identification number, your voter registration application cannot be processed and you will not be allowed to vote until this information is provided.
3. Provide your current first and last name in the spaces provided. If applicable, please provide our suffix and/or middle name. Enter your formal names, as indicated on official government documents; no nicknames. Provide your month, day, and year of birth where indicated. Remember to use your birth year, not the current year.
4. Provide your home address (legal voting residence). This residence must be located in Milwaukee Wisconsin. The full house number should be filled in, including those with house numbers ending in a fraction like "1/2." You may not enter a post office box as a voting residence. A rural route box without a number should not be used.
5. If your mailing address is different from your home address, supply your mailing address in the space provided. Overseas electors: supply your complete overseas mailing address information.
6. If your name has changed, indicate your previous first name, last name, middle name and suffix if applicable; no nicknames. Provide this information regardless of the time elapsed since your name change.
7. If you have a previous address, provide the relevant information in the space provided, even if you have moved from another state. Provide information regardless of the time elapsed since you were located at that address.
8. Answer questions 1 and 2. If you answered "no" to either question, you are ineligible to vote and should not complete this form.
9. Please read carefully. By filling in the circle, you are certifying that you meet eligibility requirements to vote. If you do not meet these requirements, do not fill in this circle.
10. If you are unable to sign the application due to a physical disability, you may have another elector assist you. By signing this form and filling in their address, the assisting elector certifies that the application was completed at your request and authorization.
11. Optional: Providing your telephone number allows elections officials to contact you if further information is required. Complete the circle if you are interested in being a poll worker on election day. If you need assistance when voting, describe the assistance required (e.g. wheelchair access).
Signature:
By signing and dating this form, you certify that you are a qualified elector, a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, have resided at your residential address for at least 10 days immediately preceding this election, are not currently serving a sentence including probation or parole for a felony conviction, and not otherwise disqualified from voting. You are certifying that all statements on this form are true and correct. If you have provided false information you may be subject to fine or imprisonment under State and Federal laws. If completed on election day: You further certify that you have not voted at this election.