On Tuesday, Milwaukee residents have the opportunity to vote on both local and statewide matters. Here’s what to know about how to vote and what’s being voted on.

What to know about registering

A person cannot vote unless they are registered to do so and cannot register unless they are 18 years of age on Election Day, provided they are a U.S. citizen and a resident of Wisconsin.

One thing that disqualifies people from voting is if they are “on paper” for a felony or serving a sentence for a felony, including probation, parole or extended supervision. After someone has completed their sentence, though, the right to vote is restored.

How to register

The deadline to register by mail or online has passed, but it is still possible to register to vote on the day of the election.

Registering on Election Day must occur at a person’s polling place, which is determined by their home address.

One thing to consider is that a person must have lived at their current address for at least 28 consecutive days before the election. This means that in order to use an address by April 1, the person must have lived there on or beforeMarch 4.

“If someone moved less than 28 days prior to the election – so let’s say they moved a week prior to the election – that just means that they would register and vote at their previous Wisconsin location,” said Elizabeth Aelion, a volunteer with the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County.

Polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.

What to bring

When registering at a polling place, a person must present proof of residence to confirm they live at their address, unless the person is an active military voter or a permanent overseas voter.

The proof of residency document must include the person’s current and complete name and current and complete residential address. If applicable, an account or document number also must be visible on the document.

Some of the most common proof of residence documentation include a Wisconsin driver’s license or identification card, utility bill, bank statement, credit card statement or cell phone bill, according to Michelle Hawley, elections director for the Milwaukee County Election Commission.

These documents can be presented as a paper copy or on an electronic device, such as a phone or tablet. 

If using a utility or cellphone bill, it cannot be older than 90 days before the day of registration, which in this case would be Jan. 1. 

Once registered, a person can vote after presenting proof of identity.

“When you register, you prove where you live. When you vote, you’re proving who you are,” said Aelion.

Proof of identity does not need to be valid as long as it expired after the most recent federal general election, which was Nov. 5.

What’s on ballot

Countywide, there are six circuit court judges up for election.

There are various other elections, such as for alderpersons and school board members, which depend on one’s address.

People can look up their specific ballots on the state’s elections commission site.

There are two statewide offices Milwaukeeans can also vote on.

Dane County Judge Susan Crawford is the liberal-backed candidate for a seat on the state Supreme Court, running against Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel, the conservative-backed candidate.

This election will decide whether the court keeps a liberal majority until 2028.

Voters also are deciding on the superintendent of public instruction, a role that oversees the state’s public schools.

The current superintendent, Jill Underly, is the liberal-backed candidate running against Brittany Kinser, an education consultant who advocates for expanding school choice across the state — a long-standing goal of many conservative organizations.

Finally, people will be able to vote for or against a constitutional amendment that would add Wisconsin’s existing photo ID requirement to the state constitution.

Resources

The Milwaukee County Election Commission will update election results in real time on its site starting at 8 p.m. Tuesday as well as in person at the cafeteria of the Milwaukee County Courthouse, 901 N. 9th St.

You can find your polling place using an online locator.

A list of acceptable proof of residence documents can be found on the City of Milwaukee’s website, and the State of Wisconsin Elections Commission has a list of acceptable proof of identification.

You can confirm whether you are already registered by checking online.

Matthew DeFour of Wisconsin Watch contributed reporting to this story.