Are You Ready to Vote?

Your Vote Counts

Judging by the headlines, you might think the only election this year is the one that will name President Obama’s successor. In fact there will be four important elections in Wisconsin in 2016.

• In the February 16 primary, voters will select the two top candidates for Wisconsin Supreme Court as well as for any local and county races with more than two contenders.
• On April 5 we will elect the final winner for those contests and also vote for our favorite Presidential candidate to be the nominee of his/her party.
• The fall partisan primary election will be held August 9 for U.S. Congress and the Wisconsin Legislature. In districts that are heavily Democratic or Republican, the primary election is particularly decisive.
• On November 8 we will elect the next President along with our state and federal representatives.

Now is the time to get ready to vote. If you have not voted in Wisconsin before, or if your registration has lapsed, you will need to register. If you have a Wisconsin driver’s license or state ID card, you will have to provide that number. You will also need proof of residence. To learn more, contact your municipal clerk or go to the Wisconsin voter Information website at myvote.wi.gov.

Once you are registered, you will need a photo ID when you vote. If you have a Wisconsin driver’s license or state ID with an expiration date of November 4, 2014 or later, you are all set. For a list of all acceptable IDs, talk to your clerk or go to the Wisconsin photo ID website at bringit.wi.gov. If you don’t have a photo ID, you can get one for free. Instructions are on the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin website.

If you need assistance with voter registration or photo ID, contact your local League of Women Voters or the League’s state office at 608-256-0827.

Next you’ll need to get informed. The League sends a questionnaire to federal, state as well as local candidates in some areas. We will post their answers on our elections website, VOTE411.org. In addition, some local Leagues post voter guides on their individual websites. The League does not endorse or oppose any political candidate or party. We just post candidates’ answers verbatim, so voters can make up their own minds.

There are a few things we urge voters not to do:

• Don’t be discouraged if you do not currently possess an acceptable photo ID. The League, the DMV and others are happy to assist you.
• Don’t put much store in 30-second ads about candidates. They often present information out of context, and sometimes it’s flat-out false. Look for information from unbiased sources, or get it from the candidates themselves.

Wisconsin is known for high voter turnout, compared to other states. Even so, a relatively small number of eligible citizens actually vote in our elections. At the local, state and national levels, government affects many aspects of our everyday lives. Don’t let a small number of citizens choose your representatives. Take a little time now to be sure you are prepared, and then vote in every election.

Andrea Kaminski is executive director of the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, a nonpartisan organization that advocates for informed and active participation in government.