Today is the perfect day to flex your democracy muscles by participating in the April Spring Election. Your vote will help determine some of the policies that will guide our communities and state in years to come.

This email will help you understand what you need to do today to ensure your vote is counted and that you are prepared to mark your ballot.

If you still have an absentee ballot that was mailed to you and you have not returned it yet, be sure to personally hand return your completed ballot TODAY. Absolutely Do NOT mail it! All ballots need to be received no later than 8:00 PM today (Tuesday) on Election Day. Your clerk and myvote.wi.gov will have information about where you can return your ballot.

Don’t forget: The ballot envelope needs a witness signature and the complete address of the witness, filled out by the witness.

You can track your ballot through the official ballot tracker on MyVote. Don’t see that your ballot was received? Contact your clerk for further information.

If you are planning to vote in person at the polls, read the information below so you are prepared when you show up to vote at your polling location. Polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM today, Tuesday, April 2nd.

Polling places can change from election to election. To find out where to go to cast your ballot, visit the Find My Polling Place page on the MyVote Wisconsin website and type in your address.

You can register to vote on Election Day at your polling location. Being registered to vote means being registered at your current address. You need to have lived at your current address for at least 28 days prior to Election Day in order to register to vote in that election district or ward. You’ll need to bring a proof of residence document to complete your registration (this document can be shown electronically – like on your phone or tablet).

State law requires you to show one of the limited number of acceptable photo IDs in order for you to be able to vote. If you have a Wisconsin driver’s license or a Wisconsin Department of Transportation-issued ID card, then you’re all set. Selected other forms of ID work too, and it’s very important to check the official list of acceptable IDs at Bring It to The Ballot to make sure you have what you need.

What if you don’t have an acceptable ID to vote today? You can ask for AND vote with a provisional ballot. But, for your ballot to be counted, you MUST either come back to your polling place with an acceptable form of ID before it closes at 8:00 PM on Election Day OR bring your ID to your municipal clerk’s office by 4:00 PM the Friday after the election (Friday, April 5th). If you don’t have an acceptable ID for voting and need help getting one, call or text the VoteRiders helpline 866-ID-2-VOTE for assistance.

You will find primarily local and possibly some state election contests on your ballot. This may include City Council, Village President, Judges, Mayor, School Board, and other offices. (Find out what is on your ballot at MyVote). These offices and the people who serve in these roles have a direct impact on your life.

Get to know who wants to represent you and which candidate best represents your values before you vote. Find candidate and ballot information from the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin at Vote411. Also, there are TWO Statewide Ballot Questions on your ballot. You should know that we believe​ these two statewide ballot questions would adversely affect voting in Wisconsin, and will make changes to our state’s constitution if they pass (and we think they should be rejected with a no vote). You can read the wording of these questions and more about why they should NOT be supported in this previous post from Common Cause WI.

Are you a public or private college or university student voting in Wisconsin? Or do you know a student who wants to vote in Wisconsin? Photo IDs issued by Wisconsin colleges and universities may or may not be compliant with Wisconsin law to vote. We can help you find out, here: Three Things College Students Need to Do To Vote in Wisconsin

Help is just a call, text, or email away.

If you experience problems at the polls or have questions, there is help. Call Election Protection at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) for support from nonpartisan election protection volunteers with any questions you have or to report problems.

Voters with disabilities have the right to have ready access to any polling place. This includes the right to use an accessible voting machine, getting assistance marking and returning an absentee ballot, and voting curbside at a polling location. Call the Disability Rights Wisconsin Voter Hotline for assistance: 1-844-347-8683. Or email: info@disabilityvote.org. Additional online resources are also at the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition website.

In lower turnout Spring elections like this one your voice matters and makes a difference even more so because fewer people participate. So, exercise your constitutional right to vote. And again, we urge your vote against the two state constitutional ballot questions.

On Wisconsin. Forward!

Jay Heck, Executive Director, Common Cause Wisconsin