Madison Reporter

The City of Madison Clerk’s Office has addressed several common misconceptions about the voting process to provide clarity for voters.

One misconception is that a voter ID must display the current address. The office clarifies, "The address on your Voter ID does not matter. When checking voter ID, poll workers are only verifying your identity. They are not checking the address on your ID."

Another myth suggests that voter IDs cannot be expired. However, Wisconsin allows a grace period for certain types of IDs. "A Wisconsin driver license, Wisconsin ID card issued by the DOT, U.S. passport, or military ID can be expired as long as the expiration date is later than the date of the last November election (Nov. 8, 2022)."

Some believe a driver license or ID from another state can serve as voter ID in Wisconsin. The office states otherwise: "Wisconsin’s voter ID law does not recognize identification issued by other states." Voters without an acceptable ID may vote provisionally and have until 4 p.m., Friday, November 8, to present an acceptable form of identification.

Regarding felons' voting rights, it is clarified that individuals convicted of a felony can vote once they have completed their sentence and are no longer under supervision: "Wisconsin restores civil rights – including voting rights – to felons when they complete all the terms of their sentence."

For those experiencing homelessness who wish to register to vote, traditional street addresses are not required: "Someone experiencing homelessness would use the diagram on the back of the voter registration form to indicate where they intend to return each day."

It is also clarified that absentee ballots are counted regardless of how close an election might be: "Absentee ballots are counted at the polls on Election Day."

The notion that registering with DMV automatically registers one to vote is incorrect: "Wisconsin does not offer Motor Voter Registration." Similarly, changing one's address with the Post Office does not update voter registration.

Insurance policies cannot be used as proof of address when registering to vote in Wisconsin. Acceptable documents include government documents and utility bills among others.

Finally, absentee ballot requests cannot be made over the phone due to requirements for documentation: "We need a paper trail for each absentee request."