Time for another #BallotBulletin! This series highlights election security topics so we are all better informed about the processes in place to ensure our elections are fair, accessible, and secure. This week let's look at residency for voters who spend significant amounts of time out of the state (but still call Wisconsin home!) and the absentee voting process.

Here in Wisconsin, voters must reside in the state for at least 28 days before Election Day to be eligible voters. However, this doesn’t mean someone needs to physically be in Wisconsin for 28 consecutive days before an election to be eligible to vote. Students, Military service members, temporary overseas voters, permanent overseas voters, and “snowbirds” (voters who escape the cold during winter) may spend significant portions of the year out of the state, but they can still vote in their home state.

For many of these voters, voting by mail is essential. It allows them to vote from the location of their choice as it may be impossible or difficult for them to be at their polling place on Election Day.

While there are many great reasons to vote by mail, here in Wisconsin, you don’t need an excuse to do it. Any eligible voter can request to vote absentee. This gives voters lots of flexibility to vote on their own time and in a place they feel most comfortable. Absentee voting is an easy, convenient and safe way to make sure your voice is heard. 

Election officials have a lot of steps they carefully follow to ensure voting by mail is secure. When a voter first submits their absentee ballot request, the clerk verifies that they are an eligible, registered voter and reviews their acceptable photo ID before processing their request to vote by mail. 

After the absentee ballot is returned to the clerk’s office, election officials review the absentee ballot certificate to ensure that the envelope is sealed, the absentee ballot certificate is complete (including the witness signature), and the clerk's initials are present.

Clerks track every ballot issued to prevent double voting and balance the number of absentee ballots received against the number of voters who requested an absentee ballot, which adds another layer of protection.