Voting Access Scorecard - Wisconsin
The Franchise Project’s Voting Access Scorecard ranks how accessible voting is in Wisconsin. The Voting Access Scorecard measures the accessibility of American elections by analyzing state election laws and practices. Each state’s performance is based on 30 measurable metrics shown to affect accessibility and foster participation. All metrics are weighted equally to fairly assess all states and their practices. If answered in the affirmative, each metric is worth 1 point, for a total of 30 points. Note that if a practice varies by county or municipality, e.g. the number of early voting locations in Wisconsin, the state only received 0.5 points for that metric. Note: Y=Yes, N=No, and V=Varies by Municipality/County.
Currently, Wisconsin ranks 13. You can make a difference! Take action now!Overall score: 20 / 30
Y=Yes, N=No, V=Varies by County/Municipality
| State registration deadline is the Friday before Election Day or later Wisconsin Elections Commission: http://elections.wi.gov/sites/default/files/publication/154/voter_registration_guide_pdf_12830.pdf | Y |
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| State offers Election Day registration Wisconsin Elections Commission: http://elections.wi.gov/sites/default/files/publication/154/voter_registration_guide_pdf_12830.pdf | Y |
| State has automatic registration Wisconsin Elections Commission: http://elections.wi.gov/sites/default/files/publication/154/voter_registration_guide_pdf_12830.pdf | N |
| State does NOT create barriers to voter registration by third parties (e.g. allows third party registration, does not require registration drive training or notification) Wisconsin Elections Commission: http://elections.wi.gov/node/4879 | Y |
| State does NOT impose fines or criminal penalties for negligent/accidential voter registration mistakes Wisconsin no longer allows third party voter registration drives. Wisconsin Elections Commission: http://elections.wi.gov/node/4879 | Y |
| State offers early voting/in-person absentee voting in multiple locations per municipality/county Locations determined by local officials. Wisconsin Elections Commission: http://elections.wi.gov/voters/absentee | V |
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| State offers early voting/in-person absentee voting during evenings and/or weekends Hours determined by local officials. Wisconsin Elections Commission: http://elections.wi.gov/voters/absentee | V |
| State allows no-excuse early voting/in-person absentee voting Wisconsin Elections Commission: http://elections.wi.gov/voters/absentee | Y |
| State holds all elections entirely by mail Wisconsin Elections Commission: http://elections.wi.gov/voters/absentee | N |
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| State does NOT require an excuse to vote by mail Wisconsin Elections Commission: http://elections.wi.gov/voters/absentee | Y |
| State deadline to return absentee ballot is NO earlier than Election Day (via any type of delivery) Must be received no later than Election Day, whether mailed or in person. Wisconsin Elections Commission: http://elections.wi.gov/voters/absentee | Y |
| State allows all voters to sign up to vote by absentee permanently Only a voter who is "indefinitely confined" may become a permanent absentee voter. Wisconsin Elections Commission: http://elections.wi.gov/voters/accessibility/absentee | N |
| State allows voters to request vote by mail ballot online Wisconsin Elections Commission: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/RequestAnAbsenteeBallot | Y |
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| State allows voters to register online Wisconsin Elections Commission: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-US/VoterRegistration | Y |
| State allows voters to check their Election Day polling location online Wisconsin Elections Commission: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/FindMyPollingPlace | Y |
| State allows voters to check their vote by mail status online Wisconsin Elections Commission: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/MyVoterInfo | Y |
| State does NOT require a Photo ID to vote on Election Day Wisconsin Elections Commission: http://www.bringitwisconsin.com/frequently-asked-questions | N |
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| State does NOT require a Photo ID to vote early or by mail Voters need to show an acceptable photo ID to cast an in-person absentee ballot at the voter's municipal clerk's office. Voters will also be required to provide a photocopy of the voter's ID to cast an absentee ballot by mail, with certain exceptions for military and permanent overseas voters and permanent absentee voters. Wisconsin Elections Commission: http://www.bringitwisconsin.com/frequently-asked-questions | N |
| If ID required, State allows voter to vote through alternative process that does not require voter action (Note: full points received if no ID required at all) A provisional ballot will not be counted unless the voter provides the required information to the poll workers by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day or the municipal clerk by 4:00 p.m. of the Friday following the election. Wisconsin Elections Commission: http://elections.wi.gov/clerks/provisional-ballots | N |
| During voter maintenance process, if address has not changed, state allows voter to simply mail back confirmation form Wis. Stat. 6.50: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/6/II/50 Wording of this is a little archaic; registrants are required to "apply for continuation of registration," but they just have to certify that their address has not changed and return the post pre-paid form. | Y |
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| State is NOT a member of Interstate Crosscheck Bryan Caskey, Kansas Secretary of State, Director of Elections (email communication, May 24, 2023) | Y |
| State is Member of ERIC ERIC, http://www.ericstates.org/whowear John Lindback, ERIC Executive Director (email communication, May 25, 2023) | Y |
| State refused to comply with the Pence-Kobach voter registration data request Wisconsin Elections Commission: http://elections.wi.gov/node/5135 | N |
| State allows individuals to vote when their sentence is complete Wisconsin Elections Commission: http://elections.wi.gov/sites/default/files/publication/154/ex_felons_incarcerated_voters_wi_voter_guide_pdf_42117.pdf | Y |
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| State allows individuals to vote during their term of incarceration Wisconsin Elections Commission: http://elections.wi.gov/sites/default/files/publication/154/ex_felons_incarcerated_voters_wi_voter_guide_pdf_42117.pdf | N |
| State allows individuals to vote after incarceration, while on probation or parole Wisconsin Elections Commission: http://elections.wi.gov/sites/default/files/publication/154/ex_felons_incarcerated_voters_wi_voter_guide_pdf_42117.pdf | N |
| State voting technology requires a paper trail Wis. Stat 5.91(18): https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/5/III/91/18 | Y |
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| State requires poll worker training Wis. Stat. § 7.31(1) & (2): https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/7/I/31/1 | Y |
| State law requires voting machines to meet federal standards, testing by a federally accredited laboratory, or federal certification Wisconsin Elections Commission http://elections.wi.gov/elections-voting/voting-equipment | Y |
| State provides readily accessible voting technology information Wisconsin Elections Commission http://elections.wi.gov/elections-voting/voting-equipment | Y |
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