Wisconsin Absentee Ballot Process

Who Can Request an Absentee Ballot?

Any qualified elector who registers to vote in Wisconsin is eligible to request an absentee ballot. Under Wisconsin law, voters do not need a reason or excuse to vote absentee.

How to Request an Absentee Ballot

Request online. Registered voters may request an absentee ballot online by visiting myvote.wi.gov and clicking “Vote Absentee”. This request must be made no later than 5pm on the Thursday before the election.

Request by Mail. Download the application, complete the form and mail it to your municipal clerk's office. The application must be received no later than 5pm on the Thursday before the election.

Request by email or fax. You may request that a ballot be sent to you by sending an email or fax to your municipal clerk. Before the ballot can be counted the clerk must have received a request from the voter with an original signature. You can print your emailed request, sign it and return it with your ballot, but include it outside the certified ballot envelope. You must send your request to the clerk before 5pm on the Thursday before the election.

In Person. You may vote early in person – at the clerk’s office or another site designated by the clerk. Dates and hours for early voting may vary. Please contact your municipal clerk for absentee voting hours.

If you have not previously provided a copy of your photo ID, photo ID must accompany your application.

Military and permanent overseas voters do not need to provide a photo ID with their request.

Permanent Absentee Ballot

Voters who are indefinitely confined, meaning they have a difficult time getting to the polls due to age, illness, infirmity, or disability, may request that a ballot be automatically sent to them for each election. Indefinitely confined voters do not need to provide a photo ID with their absentee ballot request. Voters on the permanent absentee ballot list must vote in each election or they will be dropped from the absentee ballot rolls.

Deadline for Returning Your Absentee Ballot

Your complete absentee ballot must be delivered no later than 8pm on Election Day.

What if you are in the hospital? 

• Each hospitalized voter can request a ballot (in writing), and the voter may appoint an agent to pick up the ballot from the hospitalized voter’s clerk’s office. Contact your local clerk. If you know you will be in the hospital, request a regular absentee ballot in advance.