With just days to go before the most consequential election in recent years, Wisconsin is once again ground zero in the battle for the Presidency, for control of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, for the Wisconsin Legislature and for many important local election contests, referendums and an important state constitutional ballot question.

A critical element in Wisconsin elections this year will be the degree and extent that the many college and university student voters at public and private institutions, technical and community colleges turn out and make their voices known.

As this recent, excellent segment by Wisconsin Public Television’s Here and Now program demonstrates, Wisconsin’s youth vote will shape the 2024 election.

There are some challenges that student voters must confront this year including being sure not to be intimidated or misled by election disinformation from those seeking to discourage them from participating in this election.

With so much at stake on November 5th, we want to be sure students know what they need and what Wisconsin law requires, in order for them to be able to make important choices on the ballot that will do so much to determine our lives and future. Remember, if you’re in line to vote by 8:00PM on Election Day, stay in line and vote your ballot.

First, students will find straightforward information from Common Cause Wisconsin on how to register to vote, find your polling place, and which photo IDs are eligible to cast a ballot in Wisconsin.

Three Things College Students Need to Do To Vote in Wisconsin

Additionally, Common Cause Wisconsin and Campus Vote Project has created an easy reference for students to look up their institution across the state to see if their current student ID is an acceptable form of ID for voting. Many public and private institutions’ initially issued school ID is not compliant with Wisconsin’s voting laws. It’s very important to find out now if your college or university-issued ID is acceptable for voting. If the student ID cannot be used for voting, students can find out if a separate school-issued photo ID card for voting is available and where to get one. So, if you don’t have a WI driver license or one of the other acceptable IDs, know your options and look up your school today!

Note: you can use a school-issued ID for voting that is expired. If you do present an expired student ID, you must also present (or display electronically) at the polls, a separate, current proof of enrollment document, such as an enrollment verification form, class schedule or tuition bill. If your student ID is unexpired, then you do NOT need to present proof of current enrollment. It is important for students to find out and know now whether or not the photo ID issued by their public or private college or university in Wisconsin can be used when voting.

If you were previously registered to vote in Wisconsin, you can check your registration through the official Wisconsin Elections Commission portal: MyVote.wi.gov. If you are not registered at your current address, you can register when you go to vote – during early in-person absentee voting (going on NOW!) and on November 5th – Election Day. You will need a proof of residence document which you can provide electronically on your device or with a paper copy. What’s a valid proof of residence document? You can find examples here.

A couple of other things. You can vote early with an in person absentee ballot in most places in Wisconsin through this coming Friday, November 1st and over the weekend in some communities. Go to MyVote.wi.gov to find out where you can vote early in person or the location of your polling place if you plan to vote on November 5th – Election Day. And if you have any problems or questions, text or call 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).

Additionally, if you have in your possession an absentee ballot and have not yet mailed it to your local election clerk’s office, DO NOT PUT IT IN the US MAIL NOW as it will not arrive at the clerk’s office in time to be counted. Instead, return your absentee ballot to your local election clerk’s office in person or, if there is one available for use in your community, deposit your completed and witnessed absentee ballot in a secure ballot drop box. Again, go to MyVote.wi.gov to find out where your election clerk’s office is located or if a ballot drop box is available for use in your community.

Please share this information widely with anyone you know who is attending a college, university, community or technical school in Wisconsin!

Students: Make voting in Wisconsin a priority and an important part of your college or university experience. Prepare now, so your voter experience is smooth and without hassle when you cast your ballot in this November’s election and beyond.

One last thing. Your vote, especially in Wisconsin really matters and every vote really does make a difference. Four of the six elections for President of the United States since the year 2000 have been decided in Wisconsin by less than one percent of the vote! That means as few as about 6,000 votes have separated the winner from the loser in our state. So that means your voice does get heard and your vote really does count and will matter. Therefore, make voting a priority on November 5th and to make it easier on yourself, prepare to vote now!

Forward and On Wisconsin!

Jay Heck