National Voter Registration Day: How To Be Vote-Ready In WI

WISCONSIN — While the 2020 presidential election saw record voter turnout in the United States, nearly 1 in 4 eligible Americans still aren’t registered to vote. A single day in September hopes to change that in Wisconsin.

National Voter Registration Day is Sept. 28 this year. Observed since 2012, this nonpartisan civic holiday helps reach tens of thousands of voters who may not otherwise register.

In 2020 and with the help of more than 5,000 community partners, more than 1.5 million eligible voters registered on National Voter Registration Day.

This year’s voter registration drive comes during a crucial period in American democracy.

Nearly 1 in 5 states passed restrictive election laws following the 2020 presidential election that tighten absentee voting windows and impose new rules around casting ballots and running elections.

Still, with the right knowledge and a bit of preparation and planning, registering to vote can still be an easy, seamless process.

Here’s what you need to know about National Voter Registration Day and how to register in Wisconsin:

What is National Voter Registration Day?

National Voter Registration Day is a coordinated effort by communities, workplaces, libraries, college campuses and other entities across the country, all of which share a common goal — to raise awareness of voter registration opportunities in their communities.

Events are planned across the country to mark the day.

• Voter Registration at UWM Libraries. Sept. 28, 10 a.m. at the Golda Meir Library. 2311 E. Hartford Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53211.
• National Voter Registration Day. Sept. 28, 2-5 p.m. at the Save More Marketplace. 8522 U.S. Highway 51 N, Minocqua, WI 54548.
• National Voter Registration Day. Sept. 28, 9 a.m. at the Nicolet College Campus. 5364 College Drive, Rhinelander, WI 54501.

Does National Voter Registration Day actually work?

Nearly 4.5 million voters have registered since the event’s inception, according to the campaign’s website. More than 300,000 Americans registered to vote on the inaugural National Voter Registration Day in 2012. In 2019, 473,725 people registered to vote before that number skyrocketed to 1.5 million in 2020.

How have election laws changed in Wisconsin?

Following the 2020 election, nine states passed legislation that sponsors say improves election security. Critics, however, say the legislation makes it harder for people to vote.

In Kansas, one law effectively shuts down voter registration drives by making it a felony to impersonate an election official, according to a National Public Radio report, a standard that could depend entirely on impressions. In Montana, state lawmakers eliminated Election Day voter registration.

In Wisconsin, there haven't been any laws passed to restrict voter access since the 2020 U.S. Election.

How do I register to vote in Wisconsin?

Registering to vote in Wisconsin is simple.

To register to vote in Wisconsin, residents must be from the state, be at least 18 years old and have lived at their registration address for at least 28 days prior to the election.

The state offers online registration through myvote.wi. Residents must have a Wisconsin driver's license or state ID card to use the online voter registration system, according to the voting guide website howto.vote.

Potential voters can also register to vote through the mail or even in person at their local election office on the day of the election. People must arrive with a document proving their residence and proof of identification for same day voting registration, according to nonprofit Vote.org.

Residents can check their registration status any time on myvote.wi.

You can also register to vote directly on National Voter Registration Day’s website.

Know election deadlines in Wisconsin.

Less than one-third of people who voted in the 2020 presidential election did so in person after states expanded mail-in balloting and early voting due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

In fact, 2020 was the first time in the history of the survey that a majority of voters did not cast their ballots in person on Election Day.

While new laws may have changed the landscape of mail-in voting, it’s important to know when you need to register by, as well as other key election deadlines in Wisconsin.

If people register online or through the mail, they must have their registrations in 20 days before the election, according to myvote.wi. In person registrants must come in the Friday before election day.

People who want to register for absentee ballots must register online, in person or through the mail five days before election day, according to myvote.wi. Voted absentee ballots are due at their local election office by 8 p.m. of election day.

Early voting starts in Wisconsin at least 14 days before election day, though different municipalities vary. Early voting can end as early as two days before election day.