A federal judge implemented some immediate changes related to absentee voting on Thursday, April 2.
- The deadline to request an absentee ballot be mailed to you is now 5 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 2020 (today). The previous deadline was yesterday, Thursday, April 2. You can request an absentee ballot be mailed to you by mail, fax, email, or by going to the MyVote website (www.myvote.wi.gov).
- Absentee ballots must be returned to City Hall by 4 p.m. on Monday, April 13. The previous deadline was 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7. ***UPDATE 4/6/2020 - The United States Supreme Court decided this evening in order for an absentee ballot to be counted it must be postmarked by April 7 and received by 4 p.m. on April 13 or hand delivered to the polling location by 8 p.m. on Election Day, April 7. Ballots postmarked after April 7 or hand delivered after 8 p.m. on April 7 cannot be counted. This is different than what was communicated last week.
- Witness signature on the absentee ballot certification envelope will not be required if the absentee voter provides written affirmation or other statement that they were unable to safely obtain a signature. Previously a signature was mandatory. ***UPDATE 4/3/2020 - The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order removing the option for absentee voters to submit a statement indicating they were unable to get a witness signature. Effective immediately, all voters must have a witness signature on their ballot for it to be counted. For more information, please review the information from the Wisconsin Elections Commission online.
City Hall staff will be available until 5 p.m. today, April 3, for in-person absentee voting and voter registration at City Hall, 710 S. Janesville Street. This is the final opportunity for in-person absentee voting and voter registration prior to Election Day. We are not allowed to conduct absentee voting or voter registration the Monday before an election.
If you have any questions about the election, please contact City Clerk Leanne Schroeder at (608) 868-6900 ext. 2.