Franklin Spring Election: How To Vote, Return Absentee Ballots

FRANKLIN, WI — Voters will be showing up to the polls on April 5 in Franklin and across Wisconsin for the Spring Election. Several county, school board and common council seats are up for election.

Some residents may be finding themselves with absentee ballots to return after they asked for one, while others may be looking to vote early.

Drop boxes for ballots are no longer allowed, but residents are able to mail their ballot to their clerk or drop it off in person at the clerk's office or at their polling place on election day.

Here's what to know about in-person absentee voting:

You can vote absentee in person on weekdays until April 1 at Franklin City Hall, 9229 West Loomis Road. Early in-person absentee voting will be available weekdays 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. until April 1. On April 1, the clerk's office will be open 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

A photo ID is required to vote.

Here's what to know about returning a ballot:

Drop boxes are no longer allowed under a new court ruling. Additionally, only you are able to return your ballot, and nobody else can return it for you, new court rulings have decided.
You may drop your ballot off at the clerk's office at City Hall during normal business hours.

If you are mailing your ballot, the U.S. Postal Service recommends giving a week of mailing time, meaning that although you can request an absentee ballot through the mail until March 31, you likely want to mail it back by March 29.

How to register:

If you aren't already registered to vote, you can do so at City Hall until April 1 during business hours. After that, you will be able to register the day of the election at your polling place.
When registering, be sure to bring a photo ID and proof of your residency.

Click here to find out what is considered proof of residency.

You can check your registration status and register online through myvote.wi.gov.

Absentee ballots:

Absentee ballots can be requested online through myvote.wi.gov. When requesting an absentee ballot, a copy of your photo ID will likely be required if you haven't requested one in the past.
Absentee ballots can also be requested by filling out this form and returning it to City Hall.

Completed absentee ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on election day, April 5.

Where to vote on election day:

To check which district and ward you live in, view this map on the city view this map on the city's website.

District 1: Wards 1, 2, 3: Franklin City Hall, 9229 West Loomis Road.

District 2: Wards 4, 5, 6, 7:Franklin Law Enforcement Center, 9455 West Loomis Road.

District 3: Wards 8, 9, 10, 11: The Polish Center of Wisconsin, 6941 68th Street.

District 4: Wards 12, 13, 14, 15: Milwaukee County Sports Complex, 6000 West Ryan Road.

District 5: Wards 16, 17, 18, 19: Milwaukee County Sports Complex, 6000 West Ryan Road.

District 6: Wards 20, 21, 22: St. Martin of Tours Church, 7963 S. 116th Street.

What's on the ballot:

To view a sample ballot of the election for your ward, check the city's website here.

Seats that are up for elections include alderpersons in some districts, county judges, municipal judges and school board.

For more information, visit the city's webpage on elections.