Wisconsin voters can still request an absentee ballot for the state’s 2026 general election, but key deadlines are approaching ahead of polling day on Tuesday, November 3.
Any registered voter may vote absentee without giving a reason. Applications can be made through MyVote Wisconsin, in writing or in person through the voter’s municipal clerk. A photo ID is required when requesting a ballot.
Wisconsin absentee ballot deadlines
For most voters, the deadline for an absentee ballot request is 5pm on Thursday, October 29. Indefinitely confined voters and military voters who are not away from home have until 5pm on Friday, October 30.
Military voters who are away from home can request a ballot until 5pm on Election Day, November 3. Hospitalised voters may also apply through an appointed agent between October 27 and 5pm on November 3.
In-person absentee voting is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, October 20, and may continue until Sunday, November 1. Hours and locations vary between municipalities, and some clerk’s offices may not offer additional voting sessions.
Completed absentee ballots must be received by the voter’s municipal clerk by 8pm on November 3. The Wisconsin Elections Commission advises voters to return ballots by mail at least 10 days before Election Day to allow time for delivery.
How to complete and return a ballot
Voters must complete their ballot in the presence of an adult US citizen who is not a candidate in the election. The witness must sign the certificate envelope and provide their address.
After marking the ballot, it should be placed in the certified envelope provided with the ballot papers. The voter must seal and sign the certificate envelope, checking that their name and address are correct before returning it.
Ballots can be mailed using the prepaid envelope, delivered to the municipal clerk’s office or taken to the voter’s assigned polling place or absentee-counting location on Election Day. Some clerks may require an appointment for in-person delivery.
Once a voter has returned an absentee ballot, they cannot vote in person at a polling station. Those who have requested a ballot but have not returned it may still choose to vote in person.
Voters can check whether their application has been processed, whether their ballot has been sent and whether the completed ballot has been received through the state’s ballot-tracking service. Officials warn that both postal delivery of a ballot to a voter and its return to a clerk can take up to seven days.
Registration and final checks
Voters who have moved or legally changed their name must update their registration before requesting an absentee ballot. The deadline for online or postal registration is October 14, while in-person registration at a municipal clerk’s office is available until 5pm on October 30.
Same-day registration will remain available at polling places from 7am to 8pm on November 3, although voters must provide proof of residence.
When completing an absentee ballot, voters should use blue or black ink, follow the instructions carefully and make sure both the voter’s and witness’s signatures are present. Anyone who makes a mistake should contact their municipal clerk before submitting the ballot.
