Voting in the Village of Paddock Lake brochure
Voter Registration and Election Information
VOTER QUALIFICATIONS
In order to vote, an individual must:
- Be a U.S. citizen;
- Be age 18 or older on or before Election Day;
- Have resided in an election district or ward for 10 days before any election where the citizen offers to vote;
- Not be disqualified from voting for any of the reasons described in Wisconsin State Statutes 6.03. The following persons shall not be allowed to vote in any election and any attempt to vote shall be rejected:
- Any person convicted of treason, felony, or bribery that has not been pardoned or completed terms of his or her sentence including probation, parole or extended supervision.
- A person who has been determined by a court to be incapable of understanding the objective of the elective process or who is under guardianship.
- Anyone who has made or become interested, directly or indirectly, in any bet or wager depending upon the result of the election.
OTHER RESIDENCY QUALIFICATIONS
All electors must be registered before being issued a ballot. There are three ways in which an elector may register to vote:
By Mail:
- The elector must complete a Voter Registration Application (EB-131) and mail the completed application to the municipal clerk’s office.
- The application must be postmarked not later than the 20th day (third Wednesday) before the election.
- Registration applications that were collected as part of a registration drive where a Special Registration Deputy did not sign the registration applications are treated as mail-in registrations.
- Proof of residence is usually not required. A verification postcard will be mailed to all mail-in registrants. Note: State and federal law requires that a first-time voter submitting a registration application by mail must provide a copy of an acceptable identifying document that demonstrates proof of residence. A “first-time voter” is an individual who has not voted in an election in Wisconsin. Please note that first-time voters registering by mail may not use a residential lease as proof of residence. If a copy of proof of residence is not included with the registration application, the elector will be required to supply proof of residence before being permitted to vote.
- In Person:
- Before the Registration Cut-Off: The elector may register in the municipal clerk’s office, county clerk’s office, or with a special registration deputy anytime before 5:00 p.m. on the 20th day before the election. Proof of residence is not required.
- After the Registration Cut-off – Late Registration: The elector may register in the municipal clerk’s office. An elector registering to vote in person in the clerk’s office after the close of registration is required to present acceptable proof of residence and will receive a Certificate of Registration (EB-133), which he or she should present at the polling place before being issued a ballot.
At the Polling Place on Election Day:
- The elector must complete a Voter Registration Application (EB-131).
- The elector must provide proof of residence.
- Note: The Voter Registration Application (EB-131) has detailed instructions on the back of the form that can serve as a guide for proper completion.
PROOF OF RESIDENCE
The following constitute acceptable proof of residence if the document contains the elector’s current and complete name and current and complete residential address:
- A current and valid Wisconsin driver’s license.
- A current and valid Wisconsin identification card issued by the Department of Transportation.
- Any other official identification card or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body of unit.
- Any identification card issued by an employer in the normal course of business and bearing a photo of the card holder, but not including a business card.
- A real estate tax bill or receipt for the current year or the year preceding the date of the election.
- A residential lease which is effective for a period that includes Election Day (Not for first-time voters registering by mail).
- A university, college or technical institute fee card (must include photo).
- A university, college or technical institute identification card (must include photo).
- A gas, electric or telephone service statement (utility bill) for the period commencing not earlier that 90 days before Election Day.
- Bank statement.
- Paycheck
- A check or other document issued by a unit of government
Note: Any elector required to provide proof of residence at the polling place may use a corroborating witness if he or she is unable to provide proof of residence. The corroborating witness must be a resident of the municipality and provide proof of residence.
Absentee Ballot Instructions
Any qualified elector who is unable or unwilling to appear at the polling place on election day may request to vote an absentee ballot. A qualified elector is any U.S. citizen, who will be 18 years of age or older on election day, who has resided in the ward or municipality where he or she wishes to vote for at least 28 consecutive days before the election. The elector must also be registered in order to receive an absentee ballot.
To Obtain an Absentee Ballot You Must Make a Request in Writing.
Complete an official application for an absentee ballot and specify whether you wish a ballot to be sent to you for the primary or election or both. You may also request an absentee ballot by letter. Your written request must list your voting address within the municipality where you wish to vote, the address where the absentee ballot should be sent, if different, and your signature. Mail your request to:
Clerk
MICHELLE SHRAMEK
Village of Paddock Lake
6969 236th Ave.
Salem, WI 53168
You can also personally go to the clerk's office , complete a written application, and vote an absentee ballot during the hours specified for casting an absentee ballot.
Special absentee voting application provisions apply to electors who are indefinitely confined to home or a care facility, in the military, hospitalized, or serving as a sequestered juror. If this applies to you, contact the municipal clerk's office.