Voting

State of Wisconsin Voter Public Access

Look up voter registration and polling place location.  Voter registration information, voting history, normal polling place location, current office holders and a sample ballot for the upcoming election.  https://vpa.wi.gov

Voting in the Town of Manitowoc

Residents of the Town can vote at the Town Hall and Fire Department at 1822 Silver Creek Road, Manitowoc.  The polls are open for each election from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

In order to register to vote, an individual must:

1. Be a U.S citizen;
2. Be age 18 or older on or before Election Day;
3. Have resided in an election district for 10 days before any election where the citizen offers to vote;
4. Not be disqualified from voting for any of the reasons described in 6.03, Wis Stats.

The following persons shall not be allowed to vote in any election and any attempt to vote shall be rejected:

• Any person convicted of treason, felony, or bribery that has not been pardoned or completed the terms of his or her sentence including probation, parole or extended supervision.
•   A person who has been determined by a court to be incapable of understanding the objective of the elective process or
  who is under guardianship.
•  Anyone who has made or become interested, directly or indirectly, in any bet or wager depending upon the result of the  election.

Voter Registration

 All electors must be registered before being issued a ballot.  There are three ways in which an elector may register to vote:

By Mail

The elector must complete a Voter Registration Application (EB-131) and mail the completed application along with a copy of driver's license to the municipal clerk’s office.

The application must be postmarked not later than the 20th day (third Wednesday) before the election.

1. In person at the clerk’s office
2. The elector may register in the municipal clerk’s office before 5:00 p.m. on the 20th day before the election. 
3. After the registration cut-off – Late Registration: An elector registering to vote in person in the clerk’s office after the close of registration is required to present acceptable proof of residence and will receive a Certificate of Registration (EB-133), which he or she should present at the polling place before being issued a ballot.

At the Polling Place on Election Day

1. The elector must complete a Voter Registration Application (EB-131).
2. The elector must provide proof of residence.  The following constitute acceptable proof of residence if the document contains the elector’s current and complete name and current and complete residential address:

A.      A current and valid Wisconsin driver’s license.

B.      A current and valid Wisconsin identification card issued by the Department of Transportation.

C.      Any other official identification card or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body or unit.

D.      Any identification card issued by an employer in the normal course of business and bearing a photo of the card holder, but not including a business card.

E.      A real estate tax bill or receipt for the current year or the year preceding the date of the election.

F.      A residential lease which is effective for a period that includes Election Day (Not for first-time registering by mail).

G.      A university, college or technical institute fee card (must include photo).

H.      A university, college or technical institute identification card (must include photo).

I.      A gas, electric or telephone service statement (utility bill) for the period commencing not earlier than 90 days before Election Day.

J.  Bank statement

K.  Paycheck

L.  A check or other document issued by a unit of government.

Any elector required to provide proof of residence at the polling place may use a corroborating witness if he or she is unable to provide proof of residence.  The corroborating witness must be a resident of the municipality and provide proof of residence.

Absentee Voting

A qualified elector who is unable or unwilling to appear at the polling place on Election Day may vote by absentee ballot.

Qualified electors wishing to vote absentee must submit a request in writing to the municipal clerk.

1.      A qualified voter may either apply for an absentee ballot using the Application for Absentee Ballot (EB-121) form or submit a written request, as long as the request is signed by the voter and includes all the information necessary to provide the voter with an absentee ballot.  The written request must contain the voter’s:

• Name
• Residential address
• Mailing address if any
• Statement of the elections for which the voter desires an absentee ballot
• An indication of status as a military voter, if applicable
• Declaration that he/she meets voting requirements
• Signature
• Date

2.      Any elector may make a written application by means of facsimile or email provided that he or she also mails the original request bearing his or her signature.  The signed original request may be returned with the elector’s voted ballot.  The application must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on the 5th day before the election.

Absentee electors may apply in person in the clerk’s office up to 5:00 p.m. on the day preceding the election.

3.      The elector my specifically request to automatically receive an absentee ballot for every election within a calendar year.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can persons convicted of a felony vote?

A person who has been convicted of a felony may not vote until the term of his or her sentence, including probation or parole, has been served.

2. What if a person moves away but indicates that he or she has the intent to return?

So long as he or she has not registered to vote at the new municipality, he or she may retain his or her right to vote in the former municipality.

3. What if the elector has recently moved to the municipality?

Individuals who have moved within the state, but have resided at their new address fewer than ten days must vote at the polling place that served their previous residence.  Individuals who have recently moved to the state and resided at their address fewer than ten days may vote for President and Vice President only by completing the Application for Presidential Ballot – New Wisconsin Resident (EB-141).

4. Can a spouse or family member request an absentee ballot on behalf of his/her relative?

No.  The clerk is required to obtain a signed, written request from each elector before issuing an absentee ballot.

5. Can a voter take a ballot out of the clerk’s office?

No.  An elector may not take the ballot out of the clerk’s office.  However, an absentee voter may obtain and cast a ballot inside the clerk’s office.

6. Rather than returning a ballot by mail, can an absentee elector deliver the ballot to the polling place?

Yes.  If the absentee elector returns the ballot the polling place, the election inspectors must indicate that the absentee ballot was hand-delivered on the Inspectors’ Statement (EB-104)