Upcoming Elections in Wisconsin in 2026
Non-Partisan 2026 Primary
Non-Partisan 2026 General Election
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We want you to Swamp the Vote by voting absentee ballot or early in person.
Head to MyVote Wisconsin to find out information on the following:
+ My Voter Info
+ Find My Polling Place
+ What’s On My Ballot
+ Update My Name or Address
+ Register To Vote
+ Vote Absentee By Mail
+ Track My Ballot
+ Vote Absentee In Person
Request Your Ballot
You can request an absentee ballot by filling out this form. It normally takes up to seven days for ballots to arrive after a request has been placed.
If you’d like to track the status of your absentee ballot in the mail, you can do so here.
Wisconsin Voter ID & Student ID Requirements
Photo ID to Vote: What’s Required
Wisconsin law requires all in-person voters to present a photo ID that is acceptable under
state law when they go to vote. Only certain types of photo IDs meet this requirement — and the
rules vary slightly by ID type.
*Note: presenting a photo ID is a requirement to receive a ballot, identification for registration purposes is
a different process with different requirements, distinction discussed below.
Acceptable Photo IDs — Key Points
Unless noted below, photo IDs may be accepted even if expired, as long as they expired
after the most recent general election:
● Wisconsin DOT-issued driver license
● Wisconsin DOT-issued non-driver State ID Card
● Military ID/ Veterans Affairs ID / other US Uniformed Services ID
● U.S. passport or Passport Card
These IDs must be unexpired to be used:
● Certificate of naturalization (issued within 2 years)
● DOT temporary receipts (e.g., 45-day receipts)
Additional acceptable IDs:
● Tribal ID (must be a federally recognized tribe in Wisconsin), can be expired even before
the last General Election.
● Unexpired College or University photo IDs (see special section on following page)
Important Note:
*Note: None of the above Photo IDs need to have the individual’s current registered voting
address on the ID. Photo ID is for an individual receiving an in-person ballot to prove they are who they
say they are. The verification of residency is a separate process during registration.
Photo IDs that are NEVER Acceptable:
⚠️ Driver’s licenses or any other identification cards issued by other states or countries.
⚠️ Employer IDs, club or membership cards, and other identifications non-listed above.
⚠️ IDs that do not contain a photograph.
Student ID Cards: What Works (& What Doesn’t)
When a Student ID Is Acceptable
A student ID issued by a Wisconsin-accredited college or university can be used to vote
(both early and on election day) if all of the following are true:
1. It has a photo, a name, and the student’s signature.
2. It shows a date of issuance and expiration date no more than two years after that
issuance date.
3. If the student ID is expired, the voter must also show proof of current enrollment
(e.g., a tuition receipt, enrollment verification letter, or class schedule).
*Note: Just having a student ID isn’t enough if it doesn’t meet all the above criteria. Many Wisconsin
universities issue voter-compliant student IDs or allow students to obtain them for voting purposes
specifically (e.g., UW–Madison/Marquette voter-compliant IDs shown above).
Proof of Citizenship vs. Voter ID
Important distinction: Registration vs. Obtaining a Ballot
Registration Stage
● When you register to vote — whether online, by mail, or in person — you must attest in
writing that you are a U.S. citizen. This is signed under penalty of perjury. There is no
requirement under current Wisconsin law that election officials verify your citizenship
using your ID, DMV records, or any database when voting.
Obtaining a Ballot: At the Polls / In-Person Absentee
● Showing your photo ID at the polls confirms identity, not citizenship. A valid photo ID
helps poll workers match the name and likeness of the person in the poll book — but it
does not itself legally prove citizenship for voting purposes and the requirement is not
intended to do so.
Citizenship & Certain WisDOT IDs
Under current practice and guidance from WEC, certain IDs that indicate someone is likely not a
citizen can be the basis for a challenge, but does not automatically disqualify the voter:
● DOT IDs marked “Limited Term” or “Non-Domiciled” are still acceptable for voting
because they meet identity requirements, but these markings indicate the individual is
likely not a citizen.
● Proper procedure (current WEC guidance): If a poll worker identifies a “Limited Term” or
“Non-Domiciled” ID, the worker should ask follow-up questions or proceed with an
official challenge under standard eligibility challenge procedures.
○ If challenged the individual is not required to provide proof of citizenship (but they
can) and if they simply swear under oath that they are a citizen, they still get a
ballot.
● If an observer notices an ID that contains “Limited Term” or “Non-Domiciled” they should
bring that to the attention of the chief election inspector or other proper election official
present and remind them of this WEC guidance. Please also report this to WisGOP /
Election Integrity with the details on how the issue was resolved.
Quick Poll Worker Checklist
Poll workers should adhere to the following process:
1. Request that the voter present photo ID, providing clear visibility for the poll worker.
2. Check that the photograph reasonably resembles the voter.
3. Check that Name on the ID conforms to the name on the registration (exact match not required).
4. Confirm ID meets the Expiration/Date requirements for that specific ID category.
a. Remember that most IDs can be expired if the expiration date is after November 5, 2024.
5. If a student ID, they should check for specific requirements (photo, dates, signature).
6. Poll workers should also be attentive for the “limited term” and “non-domiciled” form of IDs
and challenge eligibility if any ID is presented.
Final Note: The above process does not apply to registration, whether during in-person absentee or
voting at polling locations on Election Day. For registration, the identification requirement is limited to
completing the registration form and putting either a driver’s license number or last 4 digits of social
security number on that form. However, even for those that have just registered that day, once they have
completed the registration paperwork, the poll worker should still request photo ID before providing the
newly registered voter with a ballot in the same fashion as other pre-registered voters.
For more information about Obtaining a free identification (ID) card, visit the Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles website
or call (414) 266-1000.