Voting made easy

Your guide to success at the polls on Nov. 6

Mark your calendars, midterm general elections for Wisconsin takes place on Nov. 6 with polls open between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Who can vote: you must be a United States citizen, be 18 years or older by Election Day, and reside at your current address for at least 10 days before the election. You must also be registered to vote and have a valid voter photo ID for both the polling place, and for an absentee ballot.

How to register: It is important to note that the deadline to preregister has already passed (it was Oct. 17, or 20 days before the election). If you missed the deadline, it is possible to register at the polling place on Election Day, but be prepared to bring proof of residence, such as a utility bill. A complete list of what documents you can use as proof of residence can be found on the website https://www.vote411.org.

Where to vote: The location of your polling place is also assigned based on where you live and can also be found on the Myvote.wi.gov website. This website, among other features, also allows you to update your name and address; You can also look at sample ballots from your area.

What to bring with you to vote: Along with needing an ID to register, a photo ID is required to vote on actual Election Day. A suspended license, military ID, U.S. passport, or a free photo ID obtained from the DMV are all acceptable, as long as they are not expired.

Absentee voting: If you are out of town on Election Day, or for any other reason you cannot make it to the polls on Election Day, you can opt for an absentee ballot. Under Wisconsin law, voters do not need a reason or excuse to vote absentee.

Requesting this type of ballot can be done online through the same Myvote website, and must also be done no later than 5 p.m. on the Thursday before the election Nov. 2. You can also choose to email/fax your request to your municipal clerk, which also must be done by the same time on Nov. 2.

If none of these options seem to fit your needs, you can also choose to early vote in person, usually at the clerk’s office, or another spot designated by the clerk. Dates and hours for this can vary, and your best bet is to contact your municipal clerk for the details. The completed absentee ballot must be delivered no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day.

For more information: If you feel that any points are still muddy, visit https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin. The website is provided by the League of Woman Voters, a non-partisan group that advocates for participation in government and boasts a large toolbox of information. This includes, but is not limited to FAQs, information on candidates and issues, sample ballots, and even finding a ride to the polls.

If you still feel that you want to get more involved the league needs volunteers to be election observers. For a minimum of two hours on Election Day the volunteers will record and monitor the polling places in an effort to cut down on issues, such as disenfranchisement.