MADISON — The Wisconsin Elections Commission today released its list of the top things Wisconsin voters should know for the Partisan Primary, Aug. 14. 

You may only vote for candidates of one party in the primary. Unlike most other states, Wisconsin law gives voters the freedom to choose which political party’s primary they wish to vote in without having to register to vote with a party affiliation or designation. However, they may only vote within one party’s primary on the August ballot. 

“If you vote for candidates in more than one party, your votes will not be counted,” said Meagan Wolfe, interim administrator of the Wisconsin Elections Commission. “But if you make a mistake, like voting for candidates in more than one party, when voting on Election Day, you may ask for a new paper ballot, up to a total of three.”

 Wolfe noted that the “party preference” section at the top of the ballot is an important safeguard, especially for people who are voting by absentee ballot. “Selecting a party preference is not required, but if you select a party preference, it ensures that your votes are counted for that party’s candidates if you accidentally vote for a candidate in another party.” 

You will need an acceptable photo ID to vote. “There are no recent changes to Wisconsin’s election laws for Tuesday’s primary,” Wolfe said. “You will need to show an acceptable photo ID to vote.” Wolfe said most voters already have the photo ID they need to vote, such as a Wisconsin Driver License or ID, and urged anyone with questions to visit the Bring It to the Ballot website (http://bringit.wi.gov) or call 1-866-VOTE-WIS for information. A voter who does not have an acceptable photo ID must be offered a provisional ballot and the opportunity to submit a photo ID within three days after the election. Your acceptable photo ID for voting does not need to show your current address. 

Voters can find their polling place on the mobile-friendly MyVote Wisconsin website. The Wisconsin Elections Commission’s popular MyVote Wisconsin website, https://myvote.wi.gov, provides directions to every polling place in the state, as well as information about what will be on voters’ ballots when they get there; elections@wi.gov, 608-266-8005 and http://elections.wi.gov.

Wisconsin Elections Commission State of Wisconsin Voters can also check whether their registration is current. If it’s not, they can start the voter registration process online, print their filled-out voter registration form and bring it to the polls with them on Election Day so they can sign it in front of a poll worker. Voters can also complete a paper registration form at their polling place on Election Day. Online voter registration that doesn’t require the voter to print or sign a paper form for the Nov. 6 General Election resumes after the Aug. 14 Partisan Primary and runs through Oct. 17.