Want to learn how to vote by mail?  Check out our How-to Video!

Where can I return my mail ballot?

City of Milwaukee voters have several options to return their mail ballot to us to be counted on Election Day. 

• U.S. Mail 
  • We recommend voters return their ballot by mail no sooner than 8 days before an election to ensure it arrives by election day.
• In-Person at an Early Voting Center
  • Voters can drop off their mail ballot at any Early Voting Center in the City of Milwaukee.
  • Early voting ends on the Saturday before an election.
• Dropbox
  • Voters can drop off their mail ballot at any Dropbox located in the City of Milwaukee until 6pm on Election Day.
• ON ELECTION DAY
  • Voters have until 6pm to drop off their ballot at any of the City's dropboxes​​​​​​​.
  • ​​​​​​​Voters can also drop off their ballot at our Central Count Processing Center until 8pm.

Voting by Absentee Ballot 

Under Wisconsin law, voters do not need a reason or excuse to request an Absentee ballot.  Any voter who prefers to vote by absentee ballot may request one for each election. To request an absentee ballot, you have to submit a request in writing to the clerk's office (see below on ways to do that).

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. Check the Myvote.wi.gov website to see if you are already registered.

Photo ID is Typically Required to Apply for an Absentee Ballot

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 with your written absentee ballot application. The address on the ID does not need to be current.  Click here for a list of acceptable photo IDs.

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 to Apply for an Absentee Ballot

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

If you are within 10 days of election, or are worried your ballot won't get to us in time, you can drop off your ballot at any of our early voting sites.

In-Person Absentee Voting (IPAV), aka "Early Voting"

Check out our Early Voting page for information on how to early vote, and locations and hours of early voting before an election.

Central Processing of Absentee Ballots

We collect and securely transport all absentee ballots from the mail, early voting sites, long term care facilities, and dropboxes to our Central Count Processing Center, where they are organized, securely locked, and under 24-hour surveillance. On election day, we process ALL absentee ballots at Central Count. You can check on the status of your ballot at the myvote.wi.gov website.