Ready? Set? Vote!
With the upcoming 2024 General & Presidential Election on Tuesday, November 5, the Milwaukee Public Library wants to share important information and resources to answer frequently asked questions in order to inform and empower Milwaukee’s voters. As a community hub for information, MPL provides a wide variety of materials, resources, and services to assist with the voting process. Call or visit the library for information on your polling place, sample ballots, and voter registration!
What voting resources does MPL offer?
At any MPL location, reference staff can help facilitate access to MyVote Wisconsin, an online service provided through the State of Wisconsin Elections Commission. Using MyVote Wisconsin, you can check your voter registration status, find your polling place and view its hours, see what's on your ballot, request an absentee ballot, and check provisional ballot status. MyVote is available in both English and Spanish.
While online and mail-in registration has closed, voters can register in advance at any Early Voting Center during operation, or at their voting site on Election Day.
Ballot Dropboxes
Each MPL location also has an absentee ballot dropbox, which provides a secure and convenient way for voters to return their mail ballot. Dropboxes are open until 6:00 p.m. on Election Day (Tuesday, November 5). After 6:00 p.m. on Election Day, voters are instructed to bring their ballots to Central Count at the Baird Center. For a complete list of all dropboxes in Milwaukee, please visit the City of Milwaukee Election Commission website.
Early Voting
In the City of Milwaukee, early voting begins on Tuesday, October 22nd until Sunday, November 3rd. Four MPL branches serve as early voting sites: Good Hope, Mitchell Street, Tippecanoe, and Washington Park. For more information about early voting, including schedules, hours, and addresses, please visit the city's early voting webpage.
Community Resources
On September 17, MPL held its annual National Voter Registration Day Mini Carnival at Central Library, the Good Hope Branch, and the Mitchell Street Branch. The community organizations MPL partnered with on this program continue to assist voters and provide resources during this election cycle.
The City of Milwaukee Election Commission provides comprehensive election and voting resources on its website, including links to finding your polling place, photo ID requirements, voter accessibility, and election day preparation tips. Eligible Milwaukee County residents who are interested in becoming a poll worker can visit Help Milwaukee Vote.
Souls to the Polls offers a free Rides to the Polls program, providing round-trip transportation to Milwaukee area residents who wish to vote or return their absentee ballots during early voting hours or Election Day. To schedule a free ride to the polls for the 2024 election, please call their hotline number at 414-742-1060. Their Rides to the Polls schedule is available online.
Due to a recent state law, most Wisconsin voters need to possess a valid photo identification to vote. The nonprofit organization VoteRiders has many identification assistance programs for voters in need of a state driver’s license, Birth Certificate, or a Social Security Card. Voters in need of their free ID services can call or text the VoteRiders 24/7 hotline at 1-866-432-8683 to receive support in English or Spanish. For more information about the Wisconsin ID requirements for voting in-person, please visit their website.
The League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County has many voting resources available on their website, such as an online voter registration tutorial, information about photo ID requirements, and details about absentee and in-person voting.
Students
Local colleges and universities have prepared guides on how their students can register to vote, following current Wisconsin residency and voter identification guidelines.
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design
Milwaukee School of Engineering
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
This election, make your voice heard on the issues that you care about. Celebrate democracy this election cycle, and happy voting!