Madison Reporter

In-person absentee voting for the April 1 election has commenced in Madison. The Madison Clerk’s Office is providing numerous early voting opportunities across the city.

“Madison offers in-person absentee voting at convenient locations across the city. This is a great way to exercise your civic duty at a time that’s convenient for you,” stated Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway. “Voting early is an excellent way to avoid Election Day lines while making sure your voice is heard.”

The process for in-person absentee voting involves several steps. Voters receive an absentee envelope where they must write their name, address, and date of birth. Their voter ID is checked by the absentee clerk, who then stamps the City Clerk's initials on the envelope as proof of identity verification.

Next, the clerk verifies voter registration and processes the absentee request in the state system. A label with the voter's name and address is printed and affixed to the envelope, which voters are asked to verify for accuracy.

Ballot cards are stamped with "Absentee" and marked with ward numbers before being activated on the ExpressVote accessible voting device. This device provides features such as large print, high contrast, Braille keypad compatibility, Sip & Puff device compatibility, and Spanish translation options.

Voters make their selections using ExpressVote prompts and can review their choices on a touchscreen or through printed selections on their ballot card. After confirming selections, voters fold their ballot card and seal it in their absentee envelope, signing it in front of an absentee clerk who acts as a witness.

At day's end, absentees are delivered to the Clerk's Office. Both an absentee clerk and courier verify daily absentees using tamper-evident seals with unique serial numbers.

Upon delivery to the Clerk’s Office, two Chief Inspectors confirm seal serial numbers and count envelopes inside courier bags. Ballots remain sealed until Election Day when poll workers check envelopes for completeness before counting them.

Voter registration with proof of address is available at any absentee voting location until Saturday before Election Day; however, no registration occurs on Sunday or Monday prior. Absentees received by mail can be returned during operational hours at any IPAV location.