Do you have an ID for voting? What about your neighbors, friends, and family members?
The City Clerk’s Office recommends checking your ID now to make sure your vote will be counted in 2012.
State law now requires voters to present identification when voting. The law is very specific about which forms of ID will be accepted:
- Wisconsin driver’s license expiring after 11/2/10
- Wisconsin DOT-issued photo ID card expiring after 11/2/10
- U.S. passport expiring after 11/2/10
- Military ID card expiring after 11/2/10
- Certificate of naturalization issued within last 2 years
- Unexpired Wisconsin driver’s license or state ID receipt
- ID card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in Wisconsin
- Unexpired ID issued by a Wisconsin accredited university or college—must contain issuance date, student signature, and expiration date within 2 years of issuance—along with proof of current enrollment.
Voters who do not have an acceptable ID at the polling place will need to vote on a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots will be counted only if the voter brings an acceptable ID to the Clerk’s Office by 4 p.m. the Friday after the election.
If you are eligible to vote and do not have a Wisconsin driver’s license or Wisconsin ID card, you may obtain an ID card for free from the Division of Motor Vehicles. The DMV will require you to prove your name, date of birth, identity, citizenship, Social Security number, and Wisconsin residency.
Documents often presented to the DMV are a certified birth certificate, Social Security card, marriage certificate (if you have changed your name) and utility bill. Obtaining a certified birth certificate costs $20 if you were born in Wisconsin. It can take up to 10 weeks to get your certified birth certificate if you were born in another state.
Voters will no longer be able to have someone vouch for them when registering to vote on Election Day. However, you do not need to prove your address when registering to vote more than 20 days before an election, and may register at any Madison Public Library.
For more information, see www.cityofmadison/election or call the Clerk’s Office at 266-4601.