MONROE - There may be greater voter interest in Wisconsin's elections this year due to a state Supreme Court contest on April 1 and the race for U.S. President and legislative elections this autumn. As more people register to vote, it's important to know the rules.
One potential source of confusion for new and long-time voters alike is a generic voter registration form provided by national groups. Area residents may receive "official-looking" forms in the mail with warnings which cause them to think they need to register more than once.
For example, one group has mailed a letter stating, "NOTICE: State voting laws require individuals to register before voting. To comply with state legal requirements, please return the enclosed application." These notices are being sent out to voters all over the United States, whether the recipients are registered or not.
City of Monroe residents do not need to re-register to vote if they have voted within the last four years and have not moved or changed their names.
For those people who really do need to register, it is better to use Wisconsin's voter registration form, the EB-131 form, and to remember Wisconsin's voter registration deadlines. Mail-in registration ends 20 days before an election, which was March 12 for the April 1 election. City of Monroe residents can register in person at the City Clerk's Office up to Election Day and at the polling place on Election Day.
Many of the forms sent by these national groups are not reaching the City Clerk's Office before the mail-in registration cutoff. This means the names may not be on the poll book and the voter will have to fill out the form again on Election Day.
Voters with questions about Wisconsin voter registration or use of other registration forms should contact the City of Monroe Clerk's Office at (608) 329-2524.
One potential source of confusion for new and long-time voters alike is a generic voter registration form provided by national groups. Area residents may receive "official-looking" forms in the mail with warnings which cause them to think they need to register more than once.
For example, one group has mailed a letter stating, "NOTICE: State voting laws require individuals to register before voting. To comply with state legal requirements, please return the enclosed application." These notices are being sent out to voters all over the United States, whether the recipients are registered or not.
City of Monroe residents do not need to re-register to vote if they have voted within the last four years and have not moved or changed their names.
For those people who really do need to register, it is better to use Wisconsin's voter registration form, the EB-131 form, and to remember Wisconsin's voter registration deadlines. Mail-in registration ends 20 days before an election, which was March 12 for the April 1 election. City of Monroe residents can register in person at the City Clerk's Office up to Election Day and at the polling place on Election Day.
Many of the forms sent by these national groups are not reaching the City Clerk's Office before the mail-in registration cutoff. This means the names may not be on the poll book and the voter will have to fill out the form again on Election Day.
Voters with questions about Wisconsin voter registration or use of other registration forms should contact the City of Monroe Clerk's Office at (608) 329-2524.
