Election 2020 Voter Guide: What's On The Ballot In Wauwatosa

WAUWATOSA, WI—Voters in Wisconsin will be headed to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, for the 2020 general election.

In addition to the presidential and congressional races, there are several key races at the state and local level. Voting will be different this year thanks to rules approved to expand early and mail-in voting in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

To vote in Wisconsin, you must register. You can start the registration process online at My Vote WI: myvote.wi.gov. You can also register in-person at the local municipal clerk's office, or at the polling place on Election Day.

Also on this website, you can check the status of your voter registration and look at who is on your ballot. Make sure you know the acceptable forms of identification required in Wisconsin.

Registration deadlines

Online: Oct. 14

By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 14
In-person: Oct. 30

Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Received by Oct. 29
Return by Mail: Received by Nov. 3 by 8 p.m.

Voting Absentee

Anyone can vote absentee (U.S. citizen, 18 years of age, who has resided in the district in which he or she intends to vote for at least 28 days) who registers to vote is eligible to request an absentee ballot.

Under Wisconsin law, voters do not need a reason to vote absentee. Any voter who prefers to vote by absentee ballot may request one.

If you are a registered Wisconsin voter, you can download the Application For Absentee Ballot (EL-121). Just complete the form and mail it to your municipal clerk's office. You can find your clerk at MyVote WI: myvote.wi.gov by searching for your voter record or performing an address search. Your application must be received by the clerk no later than 5 p.m. on the Thursday before the election for an absentee ballot to be sent to you.

You will also need to provide a copy of your acceptable photo ID with your request. If you are not already registered, you will need to register to vote before an absentee ballot can be sent to you.

All registered voters may also use www.myvote.wi.gov to request their absentee ballot by clicking "Vote Absentee." Your completed absentee ballot must be delivered no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day. The U.S. Postal Service recommends absentee ballots be mailed one week before Election Day to arrive in time.

You can also vote absentee at your local municipal clerk's office. If you apply for an absentee ballot in your municipal clerk's office, or another designated location for in-person absentee voting, you will vote your ballot immediately in the clerk's office, seal your ballot in the proper envelope, and return it to a member of the clerk's staff. No ballots may be taken out of the clerk's office.
You will need to show your acceptable photo ID for voting when voting by in-person absentee ballot.

When can I Vote an In-Person Absentee Ballot?

In Wauwatosa, Absentee ballots may be returned:

If you request that an absentee ballot be sent to you, please include a photo copy of proper photo ID along with your absentee ballot application. The absentee ballot envelope will contain instructions for the ballot's return, as well as a return, postage-paid envelope.

Make sure you sign your absentee ballot envelope; have a witness sign the envelope and include his/her address.

The last day to cast an in-person absentee ballot at the Clerk's office is 5 p.m. on the Friday before each election, unless hours are extended. When you cast an in-person absentee ballot at the Clerk's office, you will seal your voted ballot in a carrier envelope. The envelopes will be stored in the Clerk's vault and will be counted at central count processing at City Hall on Election Day.

• Ballots must be returned by Election Day in order to be counted.
• Via mail
• In person at the City Clerk's Office if you're participating in early absentee voting
• Ballot boxes (Drive up to City Hall or the Muellner Building in Hart Park and drop off your ballot).

If you still have your ballot on Election Day, it may be returned in person to your polling location by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3rd.

In Person Absentee Voting (often referred to as Early Voting):

Wauwatosa will have in-person absentee voting at City Hall between October 20 - October 30.

• Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Tuesdays, Thursdays, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Friday, October 30, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

You will need to show your acceptable photo ID for voting when voting by in-person absentee ballot. More information about acceptable photo IDs can be found at www.bringit.wi.gov.

Special note: Due to social distancing, even if you vote absentee in person prior to Election Day, you may still need to wait in a line. Voters may need to wait outside in inclement weather to ensure social distancing protocol is being followed. In addition, all those using in-person absentee voting are encouraged to wear a mask and bring their own black ball point pen.

Here's what Wauwatosa voters will see on the ballot Nov.3:

President
Joseph R. Biden / Kamala D. Harris (Democratic)

Donald J. Trump / Michael R. Pence (Republican)

Don Blankenship / William Mohr (Constitution)

Jo Jorgensen / Jeremy Spike Cohen (Libertarian Party)

Brian Carroll / Amar Patel (American Solidarity Party)

Congress District 5

Tom Palzewicz (Democratic)

Scott Fitzgerald (Republican)

Assembly District 14

Bonnie Lee R (Republican)
i Robyn Vining (Democratic)

Milwaukee County Clerk

George Christenson (Democratic)

Milwaukee County Treasurer

David Cullen (Democratic)

Milwaukee County Register of Deeds

Israel Ramón (Democratic)

Milwaukee County District Attorney

John Chisholm (Democratic)

Note: Patch has linked to profiles for candidates who have filled out the Patch candidate profile questionnaire.