In two weeks, the City of Madison Clerk’s Office will begin mailing absentee ballots to voters with requests on file. Voters who plan to vote absentee for the November election should request their absentee ballot now.

Before requesting an absentee ballot, the Clerk’s Office suggests that voters verify their registration on the MyVote Wisconsin website.  Voters with a Wisconsin driver license or Wisconsin ID card may update their registration completely online using the MyVote website.  Voter registration is also available in the Clerk’s Office in the City-County Building, or by mail. 

Voters are not required to use a specific absentee request form.  They may submit an absentee request online on the MyVote website, use the form on the Clerk’s Office website, or send a note to the Clerk’s Office.  The request needs to include the voter name, voter registration address, address to which the ballot should be mailed, and a copy or picture of voter ID (if not already on file with the Clerk’s Office).

The Clerk’s Office sends all absentee ballots to the polls to be counted on Election Day.  In order for an absentee ballot to count, it must be returned early enough that the Clerk’s Office receives it by Election Day. The absentee envelope must be sealed, the voter must sign the envelope, the voter’s witness must sign the envelope, and the witness address must be listed on the envelope.

Voters may track the status of their absentee ballot request online.