By Lisa Aarli
Northside Action Team
Every election matters and impacts our lives. As we enter the new year, Wisconsinites will go to the polls in the spring and fall to vote in statewide and local races. Do your research and make your plan to vote.
Election Schedule for 2026
• Spring General Election -– April 7
• Fall Primary Election – Aug. 11
• Fall General Election – Nov. 3
The election held on April 7 is to elect judges, school board members, alders and non-partisan county officers. There is also a statewide race for Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Eligibility
To register to vote, you must:
• be a U.S. citizen,
• be at least 18 years of age on the date of the next election,
• finished serving sentence, including probation/parole, if convicted of a felony (be off paper),
• be a resident of Madison at least 28 days before election day
Voting Absentee
You may request your absentee ballot every year for specific elections or the entire year, starting on Jan. 1. Go to myvote.wi.gov to place your request.
There are several ways to cast your ballot absentee.
• Mail in your ballot, making sure there is ample time (at least two weeks) for the clerk’s office to receive your ballot by end of day on election day.
• Place your ballot in a secure drop box; they are located at all fire stations in Madison and are emptied every evening at 5:00 pm.
• Bring your ballot to any early voting site in Madison. In-person absentee voting begins two weeks before Election Day and ends the Sunday before each election. Check the city clerk’s website for locations and hours as the election gets closer (cityofmadison.com/clerk/elections-voting/voting).
Bring your ballot to your polling place on election day.
If you request an absentee ballot and decide not to use it, you may go and vote in person; be sure to let the poll workers know that you are not using the ballot that was mailed to you.
Make your plan to vote.
Visit the League of Women Voters website for a complete voting checklist (my.lwv.org/wisconsin/voter-information).
• Make sure you are registered at your current address at myvote.wi.gov.
• Request your absentee ballot if you wish at myvote.wi.gov.
• Learn about the candidates and the issues.
• Check your polling place at myvote.wi.gov.
• Make sure you have an ID for voting purposes.
• Make a plan to vote and remind your friends and family members to vote.
