Not only is 2024 a leap year, but it’s also a major election year! Which means we, as students, get a chance to participate in democracy and vote for the ideas we believe in!
Voting is an incredibly important thing to do as an adult. It gives us the power to create change and voice our opinions on important topics and issues. Your vote has the power to decide who will represent you and your community in government, what resources will be dispersed to different areas, where your tax dollars go, and further protect your voting rights.
The more we vote, the more powerful our voices are. The more powerful our voices are, the more they will be heard in our local and national governments.
The first step to casting your ballot in the upcoming elections is registering to vote. Every state has different requirements for voter registration. In Wisconsin, you can register by mail, online, or in person depending on your preferences.
Register by Mail
To register by mail, here is some vital information you’ll need.
- You can register by using the Wisconsin voter registration form. You must print out the form. Carefully read the instructions and fill it out completely.
- You must provide your unexpired WI driver’s license or DOT-issued ID card number.
- If you do not have one of these forms of ID, you can provide the last four digits of your Social Security Number.
- If you do not have these forms of ID or a SSN, you can still register to vote.
- You must also provide Proof of Residence documentation. This can include:
- A valid WI Driver’s license or State ID card
- A paycheck or earning statement with employer’s name and address
- A piece of mail that has your address on it
Register Online
Only voters with a valid WI Driver’s license or ID card will be able to utilize the online version.
You must match your name, date of birth, and address on file with the WI DMV to register online. Follow the directions on your screen and fill out your information. It takes less than 10 minutes!
Register in Person
To register in person, you will need to contact your local election office to find out more information.
Keep in mind that the state of Wisconsin does offer same-day registration. So, if you have lost track of time but still want to vote, head to your polling place and request to register.
How to Vote as a College Student
Registering to vote is a bit confusing when you are in college and are away from home. Do I register in my college town’s county, or my hometown’s county?
To make things easier for students, you are allowed to change your voter registration if you maintain a temporary residence in an area other than your hometown. So, as a UWSP student, you are able to register in Stevens Point. All you need to do is provide proof of residency which can be found in AccesSPoint.
Otherwise, if you’d like to participate in your hometown’s election, you can request and submit absentee ballots. This gives students the ability to vote for their area’s elections by mail to avoid traveling all the way back home.
Note that registering to vote in more than one state is illegal. If your permanent address is in a different state, you must register with either your home state or the state where you attend school.
To register to vote or request an absentee ballot for the state of Wisconsin, click here.
