Update May 7, 2012

Voter ID provisions are not currently in effect for the May 8 recall primary or the June 5 recall election. (UW institutions will continue to provide voter ID-compliant student ID cards and enrollment verifications to students who request them.) As further information becomes available, updates will be provided on this website.

See also: Absentee voting encouraged for students leaving Madison this summer

The recall election primary for governor is Tuesday, May 8. The general recall election will be held Tuesday, June 5.

Recent changes in state election laws affect registration and identification requirements at the polls for all Wisconsin residents, including University of Wisconsin–Madison students.

The University of Wisconsin–Madison strives to create not just good students, but also good citizens, and that includes exercising the right to vote.

1. Eligibility

If you are a U.S. citizen, will be 18 years of age on or before Election Day, and have been a resident of Wisconsin for at least 28 consecutive days before election day, you are eligible to vote in Wisconsin.

2. UW–Madison voter ID card

UW-Madison students who do not have valid Wisconsin IDs will be issued a free supplemental identification card valid for voting purposes only. The cards will be available beginning Jan. 23, 2012.

To obtain a card, a student should bring his or her active Wiscard student ID to the Wiscard office at Union South. The Wiscard office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Do I need a UW–Madison voter ID?

Students who are Wisconsin residents and have a state-issued driver’s license or identification card, U.S. passport, or U.S. Military ID are able to register and vote using these forms of identification and do not need the UW–Madison voter ID.

See more on the voter ID law.

For more help in determining whether you need a UW–Madison voter ID and on voter registration, see this decision flowchart (PDF).

3. Registration

What you need to register to vote:

If you have a state of Wisconsin-issued driver’s license:

More than 20 days before the election:

  • By mail: Complete GAB-131 form and mail to City Clerk’s office postmarked no later than 20th day before Election Day. If first-time voter in Wisconsin, you must submit a copy of your form of proof of residence.
  • In person: Bring your Wisconsin-issued driver’s license to the Madison City Clerk’s office, Room 103, City-County Building, 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., or to a special registration deputy in the Associated Students of Madison office, Student Activity Center, Room 4301, 333 East Campus Mall.

Fewer than 20 days before the election:

  • Bring your Wisconsin-issued driver’s license and proof of residence to the Madison city clerk’s office.

If you don’t have a Wisconsin-issued Driver’s License

More than 20 days before the election:

  • Provide in person the last four digits of your Social Security number or your Wisconsin state ID card number at the City Clerk’s office or with an ASM special registration deputy.

Fewer than 20 days before the election:

  • Provide in person the last four digits of your Social Security number or your Wisconsin state ID card number and proof of residence at the City Clerk’s office.

Register to vote online.

What is an acceptable form for proof of residence?

  • A check or other document issued by a unit of government, including UW-Madison Enrollment Verification letter (what’s this?) with current address reflected
  • A current and valid Wisconsin driver’s license or 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 current residential lease (not valid if registering by mail)
  • A gas, electric or telephone service statement (utility bill); must be for period within 90 days of election day
  • Bank statement
  • Paycheck

Am I already registered to vote?

If you are a first-time voter, have moved or have changed your legal name since the last time you voted, you will need to register.

Find out if you are registered at vpa.wi.gov

4. If I am registered to vote, what do I need to bring to the polls?

If you are using a state of Wisconsin-issued driver’s license or ID, U.S. passport, or U.S. military ID:

  • Just your ID

If you are using a UW-Madison voter ID:

What do I need to show proof of enrollment?

  • Provide printed copy of your UW-Madison Enrollment Verification Letter (what’s this) from the Student Center

Updating enrollment verification address

  • Log into my.wisc.edu
  • Go to your Student Services tab and click the link named Student Center.
  • When the Student Center window appears, scroll down until you see the section titled Personal Information. In the Contact Information box, click the link for mailing address.
  • Click edit next to your address and enter your updated information.

Printing enrollment verification letter

  • Log into my.wisc.edu.
  • Go to your Student Services tab and click the link named Student Center.
  • When Student Center window appears, look in the Academics section and click My Academics.
  • When the My Academics tab appears, scroll halfway down the screen and click on the Voter Enrollment Verification link.
  • The Enrollment Verification Letter should appear. Print the letter.
  • If you have questions, consult the Help icon listed next to the Voter Enrollment Verification link.

5. Where do I vote?

Find your polling place location. (Due to redistricting, maps are incomplete.) Information will be available before the election. Keep checking the website or contact the City Clerk’s office directly if you need information about your polling place now.

If you live in: Adams, Barnard, Chadbourne, Elizabeth Waters, Slichter or Tripp halls
Your polling place is: Memorial Union (map)

If you live in: Bradley, Cole, Humphrey, Jorns, Kronshage or Sullivan halls
Your polling place is: Holt Commons (map)

If you live in: Sellery or Witte halls
Your polling place is: Gordon Commons (map)

If you live in: Ogg or Newell J. Smith halls
Your polling place is: Student Services Center (map)

If you live in: Zoe Bayliss Co-op, Merit House or Susan B. Davis
Your polling place is: Porchlight (map)

If you live in: Eagle Heights or University Houses
Your polling place is: Eagle Heights Community Center (map)

If you live in: Harvey Street Apartments
Your polling place is: Hoyt School (map)

How do I vote absentee?

Information on absentee voting can be found on the City Clerk’s website or on the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board’s website.

6. When are elections?

View a calendar of upcoming elections from the City of Madison Clerk.

Sample ballots can be found at www.votesmart.org

For more information on Wisconsin elections and voting, please visit the Wisconsin Accountability Board’s website.