Village of Arena, WI

WI Voter Photo ID

Voters are urged to make sure they have an acceptable photo ID to vote. Most voters already have one of the types of photo ID required to vote.

Election Day

On Election Day, voters must show one of the following photo IDs before they can cast a ballot.  These are acceptable for voting purposes, and can be unexpired or expired after the date of the most recent general election (currently the November 3, 2020 election):

• A Wisconsin DOT-issued driver license, even if driving privileges are revoked or suspended, with or without a star in the right-hand corner
• A Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card, with or without a star in the right-hand corner
• A Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card or driver license without a photo issued under the religious exemption
• Military ID card issued by a U.S. uniformed service
• A U.S. passport
• An identification card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in Wisconsin
• A photo identification card issued by a Wisconsin accredited university or college that contains date of issuance, signature of student, and an expiration date no later than two years after date of issuance.  Also, the university or college ID must be accompanied by a separate document that proves enrollment.

These photo IDs are also acceptable for voting purposes, but must be unexpired:

• A veteran’s photo identification card issued by the Veterans Health Administration of the federal Department of Veterans Affairs
• A Certificate of Naturalization that was issued not earlier than two years before the date of an election at which it is presented
• A driving receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT (valid for 45 days)
• An identification card receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT through the identification Petition Process (IDPP) (valid for 180 days)
• A citation or notice of intent to revoke or suspend a Wisconsin DOT-issued driver license that is dated within 60 days of the date of the election

Important things to know:

• There is no such thing as a "Wisconsin Voter ID Card." The new Voter Photo ID Law uses existing photo IDs for people to prove their identity before voting
• The address on your ID doesn’t have to be current. And the name on your ID doesn’t need to be an exact match for your name in the poll book.
• Of course, there are certain requirements. Your ID should look like you. Even if you’ve colored your hair, shaved your beard or lost some weight, as long as your photo ID reasonably resembles you, it should be accepted.

Absentee Voting

During in-person absentee voting, voters must present photo ID just like on Election Day. In-person absentee voting begins on the third Monday before an election and must end at 5 p.m. the Friday before the election.

When voters request an absentee ballot by mail, they must include a photocopy of their photo ID with the request or the ballot cannot be mailed. However, voters who are "indefinitely confined" because of age, illness, infirmity or disability and voters in care facilities do not need a photo ID. Instead, the absentee witness verifies the voter’s identity. Active members of the U.S. Armed Services who are away from home are also exempt from the photo ID requirement.

Voters are encouraged to visit the Wisconsin Election Commission’s Photo ID web page for information about the law.