MONROE - Even if you haven't decided how to vote in the Nov. 6 election, it's not too early to make sure you're registered to vote.
The Wisconsin Government Accountability Board has set up an online tool to help voters prepare for Election Day. The new tool is part of the GAB's "Back to Basics" initiative, and replaces the board's Voter Public Access website.
By using the new MyVote.WI.gov website, voters can make sure they are registered to vote and know where to cast their ballot on Nov. 6. The new website, for registered and non-registered eligible voters in Wisconsin, will direct regular, military, temporary overseas and permanent overseas voters to specialized instructions for their particular situation.
The GAB also has educational materials about voters' rights and responsibilities, titled Voting 101, available in a variety of formats at the gab.wi.gov website.
Voters who haven't cast a ballot in recent years can check the website to ensure their voter information and registration are up-to-date. Every two years, after November general elections, all Wisconsin voters who have not voted within the past four years are mailed a notice that their voter registration will be suspended. If a voter does not respond within 30 days, their voter record in the voter registration system will be inactivated. Military voters are not included; military voters are only inactivated if they have not returned an absentee ballot for three general elections or six years.
Registering or re-registering to vote is a simple process, but voters should keep these dates in mind:
• Twenty days or more before the election, up through Oct. 17, is the Open Registration period. Voters may register at the local municipal clerk's office, by mail or by special registration deputy. Proof of residency is not required, unless the voter is registering for the first time and registering by mail. Mailed registration forms should be postmarked by Oct. 17 and sent to the local municipal clerk. Forms are available at the GAB website and myvote.wi.gov.
• The Late Registration period is from Oct. 18 through Nov. 2. Voters may still register at the clerk's office and proof of residency is required during this period. Registration ends the Friday before the election at 5 p.m. or at close of business, whichever is later.
• All voters may register at their polling place Nov. 6. Proof of residency is required.
Photo identification is not required when registering to vote. Voters who have resided at their address for at least 28 days by Election Day are eligible to vote.
All proof of residency documents must include the voter's name and current address. Common proof-of-residence documents include:
• Current and valid Wisconsin driver license or identification card, or any official identification card or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body or unit.
• Any identification card issued by an employer.
• Real estate tax bill or receipt for the current or preceding year or the year.
• Bank statement or paycheck.
• Check or other document issued by government entity.
• Utility bill for a period starting no earlier than 90 days before Election Day.
The Wisconsin Government Accountability Board has set up an online tool to help voters prepare for Election Day. The new tool is part of the GAB's "Back to Basics" initiative, and replaces the board's Voter Public Access website.
By using the new MyVote.WI.gov website, voters can make sure they are registered to vote and know where to cast their ballot on Nov. 6. The new website, for registered and non-registered eligible voters in Wisconsin, will direct regular, military, temporary overseas and permanent overseas voters to specialized instructions for their particular situation.
The GAB also has educational materials about voters' rights and responsibilities, titled Voting 101, available in a variety of formats at the gab.wi.gov website.
Voters who haven't cast a ballot in recent years can check the website to ensure their voter information and registration are up-to-date. Every two years, after November general elections, all Wisconsin voters who have not voted within the past four years are mailed a notice that their voter registration will be suspended. If a voter does not respond within 30 days, their voter record in the voter registration system will be inactivated. Military voters are not included; military voters are only inactivated if they have not returned an absentee ballot for three general elections or six years.
Registering or re-registering to vote is a simple process, but voters should keep these dates in mind:
• Twenty days or more before the election, up through Oct. 17, is the Open Registration period. Voters may register at the local municipal clerk's office, by mail or by special registration deputy. Proof of residency is not required, unless the voter is registering for the first time and registering by mail. Mailed registration forms should be postmarked by Oct. 17 and sent to the local municipal clerk. Forms are available at the GAB website and myvote.wi.gov.
• The Late Registration period is from Oct. 18 through Nov. 2. Voters may still register at the clerk's office and proof of residency is required during this period. Registration ends the Friday before the election at 5 p.m. or at close of business, whichever is later.
• All voters may register at their polling place Nov. 6. Proof of residency is required.
Photo identification is not required when registering to vote. Voters who have resided at their address for at least 28 days by Election Day are eligible to vote.
All proof of residency documents must include the voter's name and current address. Common proof-of-residence documents include:
• Current and valid Wisconsin driver license or identification card, or any official identification card or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body or unit.
• Any identification card issued by an employer.
• Real estate tax bill or receipt for the current or preceding year or the year.
• Bank statement or paycheck.
• Check or other document issued by government entity.
• Utility bill for a period starting no earlier than 90 days before Election Day.