The question most frequently asked of the City Clerk’s Office this week has been, “What are my options for returning my November ballot?”

Although the Clerk’s Office is still finalizing plans for this fall, it can provide general information on the options that will be available for City of Madison voters.

The City Clerk’s Office will mail ballots to all voters with requests on file by September 17. It may take up to one week for a ballot to reach a voter through the mail.

Voters may track the status of their ballot at https://MyVote.wi.gov. An Intelligent Mail Barcode on each absentee mailing label will provide the voter with more ballot delivery information than was available for the April Election. The My Vote website will list the date the Clerk’s Office processed the absentee request, the date the Clerk’s Office assembled the absentee mailing, the date the ballot went through the USPS processing center, and the anticipated delivery date.

Voters who have requested an absentee are encouraged to note on their calendars that ballots will be mailed September 17, and that they should contact the Clerk’s Office if they do not receive their ballot by September 24.

Voters are encouraged to return their absentee ballots to the Clerk’s Office without delay. Although the Clerk’s Office is still confirming locations, voters should know that they will have several options available:

1. Mail the ballot back to the Clerk’s Office without delay. Postage is pre-paid. The voter needs to sign the envelope and have a witness both sign the envelope and print their address beneath the signature. A week after mailing the ballot back to the Clerk’s Office, voters should check https://MyVote.wi.gov to verify that the Clerk’s Office has received their ballot back in the mail.
2. Drop off their ballot with the poll workers at one of the ballot drop-off sites offered throughout the city beginning Tuesday, September 22. Poll workers will be able to serve as witnesses, if needed. They will be wearing high visibility vests and face masks. As locations and schedules are confirmed, the Clerk’s Office will add these sites to its ballot drop-off website. The day after dropping off their ballot at a ballot drop-off site, voters may check https://MyVote.wi.gov to verify that their ballot is secure in the Clerk’s Office and ready to be sent to the polls on Election Day.
3. Drop off their ballot at one of 14 ballot drop boxes that will be installed across the city in early October. Voters should double-check that their absentee envelope has a voter signature, witness signature, and witness address before using a ballot drop box. The City Clerk’s Office is working with City of Madison Planning and Engineering on installation plans, and will add these sites to their ballot drop-off website once they are installed. The day after dropping off their ballot at a ballot drop box, voters may check https://MyVote.wi.gov to verify that their ballot is secure in the Clerk’s Office and ready to be sent to the polls on Election Day.
4. Drop off their ballot with the poll workers at a walk-up or drive-up absentee voting site from October 20 through November 1. Absentee clerks will be wearing high visibility vests and face masks. Dates and times will be added to the Clerk’s Office website for each voting site as they are finalized. The day after dropping off their ballot at an absentee voting site, voters may check https://MyVote.wi.gov to verify that their ballot is secure in the Clerk’s Office and ready to be sent to the polls on Election Day.
5. Drop off their ballot at their own polling location on Election Day. Polling locations are yet to be finalized for the November Election. Voters are encouraged to check www.cityofmadison.com/WhereDoIVote before heading to the polls on Election Day.

The goal of the City Clerk’s Office is for each eligible voter to be able to cast a ballot and have that ballot counted.