Wisconsin
1 Check ID Rules
Voting in Person
Wisconsin requires photo ID to vote in person.
Accepted Photo IDs
Most people show:
Ok if expired after November 5, 2024
- Wisconsin driver’s license
- Wisconsin state ID card
- US passport
- Military identification
If you’re a student, you can show student ID issued by institution accredited in Wisconsin:
- Must have your signature
- Must show issuance date and expiration date
- Must expire within 2 years of issuance date
If your student ID is expired, you must also present current proof of enrollment (For example a tuition fee receipt or course schedule).
You can also show:
- Veterans Affairs Card (Unexpired or no expiration date)
- Tribal ID issued by tribe in Wisconsin (Can be expired)
- Certificate of Naturalization (Issued within 2 years)
- ID receipt from Wisconsin DMV (for driver’s license, state ID cards, or DMV petition process)
Voting by Mail
Any registered voter can request an absentee ballot in Wisconsin. You don’t have to give a reason why you can’t vote in person.
Requesting an Absentee Ballot
Request your absentee ballot online or from your municipal clerk’s office. You must provide a copy or photo of an accepted ID the first time you request an absentee ballot.
You can use any of the photo IDs that are accepted to vote in person.
Returning an Absentee Ballot
You don’t need to include any ID when you return your absentee ballot.
Your ballot’s certificate envelope must be signed by an adult witness who is a US citizen.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get a free ID in Wisconsin?
You can get a free Wisconsin state ID card if you need one to vote.
The DMV issues state ID card for free to Wisconsin residents who are US citizens aged 18 or older by the next election.
Just check “ID for FREE” box on your Wisconsin Identification Card application!
You will be required to provide proof of:
- Legal name (including documentation of any changes)Date of Birth
- Date of Birth
- Identity
- Wisconsin Residency (for example: utility bill, government mail, rental lease, etc.)
- US Citizenship (for example: birth certificate, US passport, immigration paperwork, etc.)
- Social Security number (SSN) (if you have one)
The DMV will give you a receipt for your state ID card that has your photo on it. You can use this receipt to vote within 45 days of receiving it.
DMV Petition Process
If you don’t have all the required documents for a state ID card, you can verify your identity through the DMV’s ID petition process.
Bring any documents you do have to the DMV and submit your application. The DMV will mail you an ID petition process receipt (marked “FOR VOTING PURPOSES ONLY”) that has your photo. You can use this receipt to vote within 60 days.
Your photo receipt will be sent overnight or by next-day mail if it is being issued directly before or after an election.
The DMV will then verify your identity and information before issuing you a permanent Wisconsin state ID card.
What if I don’t have the right ID to vote in Wisconsin?
If you are a registered Wisconsin voter but do not present an accepted photo ID when voting in person, you have to cast a provisional ballot. You need to take extra steps for your vote to count.
Can I use a digital or mobile ID to vote in Wisconsin?
Do I need a “REAL ID” to vote in Wisconsin?
REAL ID is a set of national security standards for states to follow when they issue driver’s licenses and state ID cards. Your ID will show a star if it meets REAL ID standards.
Applying for a REAL ID requires you to appear in person with a variety of documents to prove your identity.
Visit the Wisconsin DMV website to find out exactly what is required to get a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID card.