To the Editor-

Once again Wisconsin residents are receiving confusing messages by phone and in the mail about the election. Just last week some people received a Wisconsin voter registration form in the mail with their name and address already filled in. They were told to mail the form in to their municipal clerk, even though it was already too late for mailed registrations to be processed. Other people have reported receiving robocalls telling them to bring a photo ID to vote. That happened after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the voter ID law may not be implemented in this election.

“The groups responsible for these confusing messages are usually well-intentioned, but they are often national groups that do not understand how elections are administered in Wisconsin,” said Andrea Kaminski, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin. “Our best advice is to be wary of messages coming from groups you are not familiar with. The best sources to consult are your municipal clerk, the Government Accountability Board or the League of Women Voters.”

Through October 31, citizens may register to vote and/or cast an absentee ballot in person at their municipal clerk’s office or, in Milwaukee, at the Milwaukee Election Commission. Although clerks may offer early voting from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday of this week, it is best to check with own your clerk to find out what hours are available in your community.

Registered voters are not required to show a photo ID in order to receive a regular ballot and have it counted, by order of the U.S. Supreme Court (October 9, 2014).

To check your registration status and polling place, and to fill out a registration form, go to the GAB’s My Vote Wisconsin website (myvote.wi.gov) or go to your clerk’s office. You will have to sign the form and bring it to your clerk by October 31 or to your polling place on Election Day. You will have to provide proof of residence, such as a valid Wisconsin driver’s license or state ID card, residential lease, utility bill or bank statement with your name and current address on it.

For information about the candidates on your ballot, including candidates’ answers to key policy questions, see the League’s online voter guide VOTE411.org.

Andrea Kaminski, Executive Director, Wisconsin League of Women Voters