A flood of television ads. Regular visits with door knockers on your front porch. A mountain of campaign mailers jammed into your mailbox. The signs of a rapidly approaching Election Day are everywhere.

Another major sign of just how close the election is starts Tuesday: Early in-person voting.

As of Friday afternoon, more than 300,000 Wisconsin voters have already cast their absentee ballots. But early voting — known officially as in-person absentee voting — where voters can go and submit their ballots in person, really makes it feel like the election is here.

Are you interested in casting your ballot before Nov. 5? Here’s what you should know.

In-person absentee voting

The availability of in-person absentee voting varies by municipality. The best way to determine when you can vote early in person in your community is by visiting this page on the Wisconsin Elections Commission’s MyVote website.

Punch in your address, and MyVote will show you the locations, days and times that in-person absentee voting is available in your community. In Madison, for example, there will be as many as 21 early voting sites spread across the city, depending on the day.

How do I vote by mail?

Wisconsin voters don’t need a reason to vote by mail/be an absentee voter. Every registered Wisconsin voter has the ability to request an absentee ballot by mail. You can request an absentee ballot on MyVote Wisconsin here.

Once you’ve submitted your request for an absentee ballot, you can track your ballot here.

Before you begin filling out your absentee ballot, make sure you have a witness who can verify that you filled out your own ballot. The witness needs to be an adult U.S. citizen who is not a candidate in the upcoming election. Once you’ve completed your ballot, place it in the certified envelope that comes with your absentee ballot. Seal and sign the certificate envelope and then have your witness sign the certificate and include their address.

The next step is to mail it back to your municipal clerk. The United States Postal Service recommends mailing your ballot back at least seven days before Election Day, according to the Wisconsin Elections Commission.

If you’re worried about your ballot being returned in time, you can deliver it to your municipal clerk’s office or deliver it to your polling place on Election Day. In some municipalities, you may also be able to return your absentee ballot using a drop box, though the availability of drop boxes is up to your municipal clerk.

How do I know if I’m registered to vote?

You can check your registration status on the MyVote Wisconsin website here by entering your name and date of birth.

The deadline to register online or by mail has already passed. But the deadline to register in person at your municipal clerk’s office is Nov. 1 at 5 p.m.

If you haven’t registered to vote before Nov. 5, don’t panic. You can register to vote in person at your polling place on Election Day. You’ll just need to bring an accepted form of photo ID and proof of residence.

Where do I get information about the candidates on my ballot?

Wisconsin Watch has you covered. For months, our team has been hard at work assembling a 2024 voter guide. Check it out to learn more about the candidates running for president, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, state Senate and Assembly. We also have information about the constitutional amendment voters are being asked to consider.

Forward is a look ahead at the week in Wisconsin government and politics from the Wisconsin Watch statehouse team.

This article first appeared on Wisconsin Watch and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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