Absentee voting now open for August primary election

Absentee voting is underway for the Tuesday, Aug. 11, partisan primary election.

Registered voters unable or unwilling to visit the polls can request an absentee ballot if they are U.S. citizens, 18 or older, and have lived in their municipality for at least 28 consecutive days.

Voters must apply for a mail-in absentee ballot by 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6. Requests can be submitted to municipal clerks by mail, fax, email, or online at myvote.wi.gov.

Applications require a voting address, mailing address, signature, and a copy of a photo ID. Photo ID exceptions exist for voters who are indefinitely confined, hospitalized, or in the military.

Completed ballots must arrive at the local municipal clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Aug. 11.

The Wisconsin Election Commission (WEC) urges people to mail their ballots back early.
“Mail transit times vary; do not delay returning your completed absentee ballot,” WEC guidance says. “If a mailed ballot arrives after 8 p.m. on Election Day, it will not be counted.”

Voters who are out-of-state may need more time to ensure timely return.

“If you return your absentee ballot through the mail the week before Election Day, there is a significant risk that your ballot may not be received and counted,” WEC said.

WEC also reminds people that their returned ballot must be sent to their city, village, or town clerk, not to the county clerk.

Alternatively, voters can cast an absentee ballot in person at their clerk’s office. The in-person absentee voting period began Tuesday, July 28, and ends at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7. No in-person voting is allowed the day before the election.

Voters should contact their local municipal clerk for more information or to request an absentee ballot.