Absentee ballot return options:

Voters must personally drop off their ballot if not returning via USPS, unless they require assistance due to a disability.

• Return your ballot by USPS mail.  We recommend voters using USPS give their ballot one week (if mailing locally) to be delivered to us.  We do not recommend placing ballots in the mail after Tuesday, March 28th.

• Return your ballot to an In-Person Absentee "Early Voting" site.  The Election Commission will offer ballot return at all early voting sites during all operating hours.  You can find the early voting schedule here.

• Return your ballot in-person to the Election Commission on April 3rd and 4th.  The Election Commission is able to receive ballots in-person in our office on April 3rd and 4th.  We cannot accept ballots during "Early Voting."  We are located on the 5th Floor of City Hall, 200 E Wells St, in Room 501.  

• Return your ballot to Central Count on Election Day, April 4.  Voters can return their ballot directly to our absentee processing center at the Election Commission Warehouse, 1901 S Kinnickinnic Ave, between 7:00am to 8:00pm. 

Note: Under a current court ruling, the City of Milwaukee is unable to offer unstaffed, 24-hour drop boxes. 

Voting by Absentee Ballot 

Under Wisconsin law, voters do not need a reason or excuse, such as being out of town on Election Day, to vote absentee.  Any voter who prefers to vote by absentee ballot may request one. 

If you are not already registered, you will need to register to vote before an absentee ballot can be sent to you.  A new voter registration application is required any time you move (even minor changes such as apartment units), change your name, or if you have not voted in the past four years.

Photo ID Required

Unless you are a military voter, permanently overseas, or are indefinitely confined, you must provide the Election Commission with a copy of your photo ID to keep on file.  If you are not sure if you have an ID on file already, feel free to contact us.  The address on the ID does not need to be current.  For a list of acceptable photo IDs, visit BringIt Wisconsin.

Voters who are indefinitely confined (meaning they have difficulty getting to the polls due to age, illness, infirmity, or disability) may request a ballot be sent to them for every election by checking the box on the application.  Indefinitely confined voters are not required to provide photo ID. 

Deadline

Applications for absentee ballots must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Thursday before the election. 

Note for voters requesting a ballot within 10 days of the election: Because ballots must be received by our office (either delivered by mail or in-person) no later than Election Day, we strongly encourage you to visit an in-person absentee voting (early voting) location.  

Request an Absentee Ballot 

• By Mail: Download the Application for Absentee Ballot.  Complete the form and mail it with a copy of your photo ID (if not previously provided) to: Election Commission, 200 E Wells St Room 501, Milwaukee, WI 53202.  
   
• By Email: send an email ([email protected]) with a copy of your photo ID attached (if not previously provided). If you do not attach the Application for Absentee Ballot to your email, please provide the following information in the text of your email:
  • Your Full Name
  • Voting Address
  • Specific election for which you would like a ballot or if you are requesting for the calendar year
  • Mailing address (if it is different from your voting address)
• Online: applications can be submitted online at MyVote.  This is the fastest method of request for indefinitely confined and military voters.  
   
• Fax: you may fax your Application for Absentee Ballot to (414) 286-8445. Faxed photo IDs must be legible; we recommend lightening the ID on a copier before faxing it.  

In-Person Absentee Voting (Early Voting)

Schedule for the 2023 Spring Elections

Central Processing of Absentee Ballots

All absentee ballots are processed at a central location rather than the respective voting sites. A voter number is recorded on all absentee ballots during processing.