Helping with Voter Registration in Wisconsin: MyVote.wi.gov and Beyond

Transcription

1 Helping with Voter Registration in Wisconsin: MyVote.wi.gov and Beyond

2 Two components to voting in Wisconsin: Registration (to get on the voter list) Photo ID (to get a ballot)

3 Part 1: Voter Registration When: anytime before voting or at the polls Where: anywhere

4 Background: Special Registration Deputy (SRD) program was eliminated as of Jan. 9, 2017 Most voters will register online via MyVote.wi.gov MyVote links to DMV name/address records

5 What s new? 1. No more Special Registration Deputy status 2. Most Wisconsin voters can register online *No proof of residence document required for OVR* 3. Requirements for mail-in, in-person, and same-day registration have not changed *Voter will need a proof of residence document* 4. Voter advocates can assist voters statewide.

6 Who can register via MyVote.wi.gov? Eligible voters with. Current Wisc ID or driver license Current address on file with DMV

7 Who is eligible to vote? US citizen Resident of WI and at current address for at least10 days 18 years old on or before E Day Not a felon serving a sentence or on parole

8 Registering to vote via MyVote.wi.gov. 1. Open web site. 2. Select Register to Vote 3. Enter voter s first name, last name, and date of birth 4. Click on Search tab 5. Then..

9 ALLEGRA BOVERMAN / NEW HAMPSHIRE PUBLIC RADIO If this returns You are registered to vote and voter s name and address on file are correct, then the voter s registration is current and valid. All done!

10 If search returns You are registered to vote but name or address on file is not current, then follow the prompts to change name and/or address. Name change requires a trip to the DMV with documentation (marriage certificate, divorce decree, court decree, or US passport) Address change can be done online; follow the links provided Online change of address does not require a proof of address document Name doesn t have to match DMV record exactly

11 Address changes online: MyVote links to DMV website. Voter should change address with DVM first, then on MyVote. Address change is not automatic between DMV and MyVote. Voter needs to visit both web sites.

12 If the search returns You are not registered to vote, but the voter thinks they are registered, try again. Try these: Variations of your first name No spaces or special characters (For instance, if your last name is O Neil, try entering ONEIL.) 01/01/1900 as your birthdate (Some voter registration records do not have a birthdate, so 01/01/1900 is entered as the default.)

13 If the search returns You are not registered to vote, a voter who has a Wisc ID or Wisc driver license can register by following the online instructions. Voters registering online are not required to produce proof of residence. Once a voter is registered, they can change their address at any time via DMV and MyVote websites.

14 The OVR search function will match the information the voter enters online with DMV records for name, birthdate, and zip code. If the system cannot find a match, the voter can still register in person, by mail, or at the polls on E Day.

15 Helpful hint: If MyVote says it cannot complete the voter registration and the voter has made sure their DMV address is correct, then call the WEC in Madison while the voter is still online VOTE-WIS (toll free) or (608)

16 How much can you help? You may sit at the computer (or tablet or cellphone) with the voter and help the voter enter their data. VOTER must read and respond to the Review and Certify page (Step 5).

17 Registration via MyVote ends 20 days prior to Election Day. During the next 17 days (until Friday before E Day), voters can register in person at their municipal clerk s office. Open registration re-opens the day after E Day. Voters can register at the polls when they go to vote. To register in person, bring a proof of residence document and the Wisc ID/DL number.

18 What about voters with no Wisc ID or Wisc driver license? All Wisconsin voters may register to vote: By mail In person at their municipal clerk s office At the polls when they go to vote

19 Does everyone have to register in order to vote? Yes, except Anyone who has voted in Wisconsin in the last four years and has not moved or changed their name Special rules apply to overseas military voters, including A member of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard, the Commissioned Corps of the Federal Public Health Service or the Commissioned Corps of NOAH A member of the merchant marine of the United States A civilian employee of the United States and civilians officially attached to the uniformed services who are serving outside the United States A Peace Corps volunteer A spouse or dependent of someone listed above, if you live with them

20 Voters without a Wisc DL or ID may Fill out the application online at MyVote.Wi.gov and the print it out and bring or mail it to their clerk s office --or Fill out the application on paper. Both options require a paper copy of the application and proof of residence

21 How to register to vote by mail: Complete a voter registration form Make a photocopy of the proof of residence* Mail or bring both documents (form and POR) to the clerk of the voter s municipality Forms must be delivered or postmarked by the end of the open registration period, 20 days before Election Day. *Voters registering by mail may not use a residential lease as POR.

22 How to register to vote in person Voter goes to their village or city clerk s office* Any time up to the Friday before E Day. Voter will need a proof of residence document POR document can be on paper or electronic *City of Milwaukee residents can get help with registration at any public library in the city during the open registration period. Library will collect and send in the forms.

23 How to register to vote at the polls Voter goes to their polling place (current address) Voter will need a proof of residence document POR document can be on paper or electronic Available at early (in-person absentee) voting and on E Day

24 A note about 17-year-olds: Voters can register if they ll be 18 on or before the next election day. Keep track of E Day dates MyVote is not able to accommodate not-yet-18s Have the voter register via paper or in person

25 Part 2: Photo ID for Voting When: when the person votes Where: at the polls

26 Acceptable photo ID for voting: Wisconsin driver license (learner permit or paper receipt from DMV is OK) Wisconsin ID card from the DMV US Passport Military ID (active duty) Tribal ID WI student ID + Proof of enrollment Naturalization certificate ID card issued by the Veterans Administration

27 The big print: ID must have photo, name, expiration date The fine print: Different restrictions apply to each type of ID The good news: Address on ID does NOT have to be current Name does NOT have to be an exact match

28 Required to obtain a Wisconsin ID or driver license: 1. Proof of name and date of birth (usually a birth certificate) 2. Proof of identity (usually a photo ID) 3. Proof of US citizenship (usually a birth certificate) 4. Proof of Wisconsin residency (many options) 5. Proof of Social Security number (SS card, W2 form, etc)

29 Voters with no birth cert. Voters without a photo ID but with a birth certificate, POR*, and SSN. Voters with a valid photo ID (includes anyone registering via MyVote.wi.gov) *Proof of residence document

30 How can voter advocates help? Provide access to MyVote web site Provide forms and instructions Help voter find and photocopy proof of residence Direct voters to municipal clerk s office* Provide information about registering to vote at the polls during early voting or on E Day Provide info about ID for voting *or City of Milwaukee public library (open registration period and Milwaukee residents only)

31 Voter advocates responsibilities: Know the laws and rules. Keep up with changes. Treat every voter with respect. Remain impartial; treat every voter the same. If you don t know the answer, call someone who does. Protect voters information. Check forms carefully and deliver them promptly.

32 The Conversation Do you have a current Wisconsin driver license or ID card? Yes! OK! You can register to vote online!

33 Do you have a current Wisconsin driver license or ID card? No! That s OK! I can help you register to vote if you have something with your current address on it. We ll use the paper form. After that we ll talk about what you can use for your ID when you go to vote.

34 Special Circumstance 1: Student Voters On-campus voter registration at public university or public high school Students with Wisc ID/DL should register online via MyVote.

35 For public college/high school students with no Wisc ID/DL: Any student record can be used for proof of residence Provide students with reg forms and offer assistance in completing them. Help student obtain student record or other POR document. Staple POR to form; collect and deliver or mail forms to municipal clerk(s).

36 Students at private colleges: Those with Wisc ID/DL register via MyVote. Those with no Wisc ID/DL: Student may use student photo ID card for proof of residence along with a fee receipt. Provide form and offer assistance in completing it. Help student select and copy a POR document. Staple copy of POR and student ID to form; collect and deliver or mail forms to appropriate municipal clerk(s).

37 ID for voting for students: Some colleges issue voting-compliant ID cards: MATC, MIAD, UW-system two-year colleges Some standard-issue ID cards won t work for voting: UWM, UW, some private colleges, MPS UW-system schools will provide an ID for voting for any student who needs one Student card must be accompanied by proof of enrollment (electronic is OK) Remember: a student can use a US passport, military ID or VA card, tribal ID card for voting

38 Special Circumstance #2: Registering voters out and about You will need: Cell phone, pad, or laptop computer Internet access Access to a printer Registration forms List of proof of residence docs Addresses of municipal clerks offices A plan to deliver the forms

39 Special Circumstance #2: Registering voters out and about Recommended additional materials: List of public libraries (Milwaukee only) Informational fliers list of acceptable proof of residence documents address(es) of municipal offices list of acceptable IDs for voting dates of upcoming elections with information about early (in-person absentee) voting

40 Special Circumstance #3: Housebound Voters (Any voter who may have physical difficulty getting to a polling place) Voter may request mail-in ballot as indefinitely confined Vote by mail-in absentee ballot With Wisc DL/ID register online via MyVote No Wisc DL/ID register by mail

41 ID for Indefinitely Confined and Other Absentee Voters One-time absentee voters send a copy of their photo ID with the ballot application the first time they vote absentee (clerk will keep the ID on file). Indefinitely confined voters are not required to submit a copy of their photo ID.

42 Special Circumstance #4: Homeless and Mobile Voters Voters who move frequently should be encouraged to obtain a Wisc ID or Wisc driver license using their current address. If a voter can receive mail where they are currently staying, they can get a letter from their clerk s office that will serve as a POR. Voters who are semi-homeless ( couch surfing ) may have difficulty receiving mail. Without an address where they can receive mail, these individuals may not not be able to register.

43 ID for Homeless and Mobile Voters Homeless voters can obtain a Wisc ID card for free for voting, if they lack other acceptable ID. A shelter or meal site can provide them a temporary mailing address. Mobile voters must be able to receive mail where they are staying. Those lacking a birth certificate can apply for a Wisc ID by filling out a petition.

44 Special Circumstance #5: Voters from Puerto Rico Remember: Puerto Ricans are US citizens! Full voting rights Encourage these voters to start the registration process and obtaining a photo ID early Barriers: need to obtain reissued birth certificate; language; living arrangements MyVote and paper forms are available in Spanish Be sensitive to their post-hurricane challenges

45 ID for Voters from Puerto Rico Encourage these voters to start obtaining a photo ID early Barriers: need to obtain reissued birth certificate; language; living arrangements

46 A word about ID.. Who doesn t have a Wisc ID or driver license? People here temporarily Students Elderly who no longer drive Non-drivers Cancelled or expired Holders of out-of-state DL who need to drive, but can t afford the license fee or birth certificate needed to get a Wisc DL

47 Voters who can get a Wisc ID or driver license should do so. How to help them: List of DMV offices List of required documents Be aware that some voters need to retain an out-of-state driver license. Those voters cannot get a Wisconsin ID.

48 A note on photo ID for voting: List of acceptable photo ID s has not changed. Court challenge is underway, so watch for changes. Be aware that voters cannot obtain a Wisc driver license or Wisc ID without giving up their out-of-state driver license. The Wisc DL application also requires the person to produce a certified birth certificate.

49 More information: MyVote.wi.gov Elections.wi.gov ORV training video: vimeo.com/

50 Produced by Linea Sundstrom Supermarket Legends of Milwaukee LEGENDSvote.org Information current as of 2/25/2018