The State of Wisconsin is nationally-recognized for its long history of ensuring military and overseas voters can participate in Wisconsin general elections. This is in spite of the challenge posed by Wisconsin being one of 10 states with a primary election after Labor Day. Wisconsin’s military and overseas voters located in faraway places around the globe need enough time to request, receive, vote and return their ballots.
In 2010, Congress enacted the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act, which imposes many mandates on the state, several of which Wisconsin has already been meeting since the late 1980s. The Wisconsin Legislature, Wisconsin Elections Commission, and local election officials provide many ways for these citizens to participate in the selection of their elected officials quickly and securely:
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All military and overseas voters may have their official ballot sent to them electronically, by e-mail or fax, avoiding lengthy overseas mailing delays.
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Military electors do not have to register in order to vote in Wisconsin. They may simply request an absentee ballot for a single election or all elections in a calendar year using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) form, which is available at all military installations, U.S. embassies and consulates around the world and online.
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Overseas voters may register to vote and request an absentee ballot using the same (FPCA) form.
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All military and overseas voters who have requested to vote absentee may submit a special federal write-in absentee ballot (FWAB) that is available at all military installations, at U.S. embassies and consulates around the world and online.
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Local election officials track the status of all absentee ballots for military and overseas voters using the statewide voter registration system.
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The Wisconsin Elections Commission has a special page on its website dedicated to providing information for military and overseas voters. Military and overseas voters can access a wealth of information to facilitate their participation in Wisconsin elections.
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The Commission regularly updates local election officials on their responsibility to military and overseas voters, and especially emphasizes the requirements of the MOVE Act. The Commission also regularly monitors local compliance.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission is proud of the service Wisconsin election officials provide to our military and overseas voters. The municipal clerk is the primary point of contact for military and overseas voters to enable them to fully participate in Wisconsin elections. The municipal clerk keeps a current list of all military and overseas voters. In cooperation with the county clerks, municipal clerks also track the status of all absentee ballots for military and overseas voters using the statewide voter registration system.
Wisconsin has been nationally recognized for its efforts to ensure that military and overseas voters can fully participate in Wisconsin elections.