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April 5th Election Resources

April 5th is an important election – local elections have a major impact on your life. Check out our resources so you are prepared to vote!

The Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition is a non-partisan effort to help ensure full participation in the electoral process of voters with disabilities.

Check out our resources on the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition and follow us on Facebook.

Voting on Election Day?

  • Check the MyVote Wisconsin to see if you are registered to vote. If you are not registered or your address has changed, register at your polling place. Bring a Proof of Residence document with your name and current address, such as a utility bill, bank statement, or letter from a government agency.

Resources

Photo ID

If you do not have a photo ID, you can get a free state ID for voting at your Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office. If you do not have the necessary documents (certified birth certificate, social security card, and proof of residence), you can still get an ID document for voting that is valid for 60 days.

Photo ID Resources

  • DMV Voter ID Hotline: (844) 588-1069
  • League of Women Voters Voter Helpline: Call or text 608-285-2141
  • Bring it to the Ballot website: https://bringit.wi.gov/
  • DRW Voter Hotline: 844-347-8683

Transportation

Need a ride to vote? Check out the Disability Vote Coalition Rides to the Polls. Rides to the Polls allows you to search for a ride. All ride information is provided by ADRCs, transportation providers, and other community groups. Plan ahead. Many providers require you to schedule in advance.

Know Your Rights

People with disabilities have the right to have an equal opportunity to vote, and to disability related accommodations, if needed. Some of the most widely used accommodations are curbside voting, receiving assistance with marking a ballot, and use of accessible voting machines.

If you need assistance, ask for a disability related accommodation. If you have a question about your voting rights, contact the DRW Voter Hotline at 844-347-8683 or email us at info@disabilityvote.org.
Resources:

Absentee Voting

  • If you voted absentee, it is too late to return your ballot by mail.
  • If you still plan to vote absentee, your completed ballot must be delivered to your municipal clerk's office or your polling place no later than 8:00 PM Election Day.
  • If your community counts absentee ballots at a central location on Election Day, return your ballot to the central count location rather than your polling place. These communities use central count.

Absentee Ballot Return Assistance

Rules for returning absentee ballots have changed for the April election due to a court ruling.
  • You must be the one to return your own ballot.
If you are not able to return your own ballot because of disability and want to have someone else return your ballot, contact your municipal clerk to explain the situation and to request a disability related accommodation.

Absentee Ballot Witness Requirement

Voting absentee for the Spring Election? You must vote your ballot in the presence of an adult witness.
  • The witness can be any adult US citizen except for a candidate on your ballot. A witness can be a friend, spouse, family member, or care worker.
  • Seal the envelope in the presence of your witness.
  • Have your witness sign the certificate envelope on the line marked “Signature of Witness” and write their full address underneath the witness signature.
  • Make sure you and your witness complete all information on the envelope so your vote will be counted.

Advocacy Opportunity –

Re Absentee Ballot Return Assistance Ban

Due to a court ruling, Wisconsin has new restrictions on absentee ballot return.
If the ban on assistance with mailing or returning a ballot, and the ban on drop boxes will make it difficult or impossible to vote for you, for a family member, or for someone you support, we’d like to hear from you. All that’s needed is a paragraph or two to explain how these new restrictions could limit voting rights. We are compiling the stories of voters impacted by the new restrictions. With your permission we will include your story. We also encourage you to report your concern about these new barriers to the Wisconsin Election Commission.

Take the Voter Experience Survey

Did you vote in the April 5th election? We’d like to hear from you! Complete this League of Women Voters survey about your voter experience. We will use this information to work with policy makers to make improvements to voting in Wisconsin.
Reporting a Complaint
If you experience an accessibility or voting rights concern, help is available:
First, contact the Chief Election Inspector at your polling place or ask for the municipal clerk.
If the problem isn’t fixed, you may contact:
  • Disability Rights Wisconsin Voter Hotline at: 1-844- DIS-VOTE (844-347-8683)/ or email: info@disabilityvote.org
  • Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) at 1-866-VOTE-WIS (866- 868-3947).
  • It’s important to report complaints. Enter your complaint on the WEC web site at: Report an Accessibility Concern | Wisconsin Elections Commission

VOTING QUESTIONS?

Help is available! Contact these resources:
My Vote Wisconsin logo
The Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition is a project of Disability Rights Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities.
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