Welcome back, students! Fall semester is underway on public and private college and university campuses across Wisconsin. Now is the best time for students to make sure they are prepared to vote in the upcoming pivotal November 5th Election. Wisconsin is once again one of the most closely contested “battleground” states in the nation and is so important on so many levels: for the Presidency of the USA, for control of the US Senate and US House and, with fairer, more competitive new state legislative voting maps now in place, control of the Wisconsin Legislature may also be up for grabs. With so much at stake this November, we want to be sure you know what you need to have, and that Wisconsin law requires, in order for you to be able to make important choices at the polling place that will do so much to determine your lives and future.

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 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.

And, if you can complete your voter registration before Election Day, you will save yourself time on Election Day when you go to vote. Even if you move across the hallway to a new space in your dorm or apartment complex, you must re-register to vote with your current address. Don’t wait until November to do this! If you were previously registered to vote in Wisconsin, you can re-register at your new address online through the official source at MyVote.wi.gov.

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

Ready to go above and beyond to help others be ready to vote this November?

Join Campus Vote Project and partners for the 4th Annual Wisconsin Student Voting Summit at Milwaukee Area Technical College for hybrid programming (virtual/in-person) 9/27 or in-person at MATC on 9/28. Learn how to inspire students to vote and have a great election! Get more information and register here.

Students: Make voting an important part of what will make your fall semester successful. 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. So, make voting a priority this Fall and to make it easier on yourself, prepare to vote now!

Forward and On Wisconsin!

Jay Heck, Executive Director, Common Cause Wisconsin