Early voting has started: What to know before the August primaries

Max Bayer | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Show Caption Hide Caption Here's how to register and vote in Wisconsin Here's how to register and vote in Wisconsin

Early voting is availlable statewide for Wisconsin's August primaries.

On Aug. 14, Wisconsin will have primaries for governor and four other statewide races as well as one for U.S. senator.

There are also many primaries in various legislative and county races, including Milwaukee County sheriff.

Before voters head to the polls, here's a guide on how to vote in Wisconsin.

How to register

In Wisconsin, voters can register to vote online, at a clerk's office, through the mail or at the polls.

Voters can register when they're 17 years old as long as they're 18 on the day of the primary. Voters must also be U.S. citizen and not be incarcerated, on parole or on probation for a felony conviction.

Voters must provide either a driver's license, state ID card or full Social Security number as well as a proof of residency when registering.

Accepted documents for proof of residency include a paystub, utility statement or bank statement. Here's a list of all accepted documents.

If voters moved or legally changed their name, they must re-register.

The deadline to register online or by mail was July 25.

To register in person, you must do so with your local municipal clerk by close of business on Aug. 10.

Voters can also register at their polling place on election day.

This year, The Wisconsin Elections Commission sent 384,000 postcards to residents eligible to vote who had yet to register.

Navigating voter ID

Voters must show a photo ID to vote.

To prove identification, voters can use a Wisconsin Department of Transportation-issued driver's license or ID card, a military ID card or a U.S. passport. Those forms of identification can be unexpired or expired as long as the expiration date was after the 2016 general election.

Here's a full list from the state Elections Commission of forms of identification that can be used to vote.

Active military personnel or permanent overseas residents, indefinitely confined voters or voters in special care facilities are exempt from showing a photo ID.

Voters who are victims of sexual assault, domestic abuse or stalking and have been granted confidentiality on poll lists are also exempt.

Early absentee voting

Early absentee voting is available statewide and residents wishing to participate should contact their local municipal clerk to confirm available times and voting locations. Larger cities may have locations other than the clerk's office where early voting takes place. For example, there are 14 different locations in Madison.

Voters may also request an absentee ballot by mail. The deadline to request an absentee ballot for the primary is Aug. 9.

The last legal day for in-person early voting is Aug. 12, but the vast majority of municipalities have made Aug. 10 their deadline.

Overseas voting

After settling a lawsuit with the U.S. Department of Justice last month, Wisconsin will begin allowing all overseas voters to receive their ballots electronically rather than physical mail.

State law distinguished between permanent and temporary overseas residences and had different rules for the two types of voters. Now, both kinds of residents, as well as overseas military members can receive their ballots by email or fax.

More information regarding overseas voting can be found here.

Here's a full list of the candidates running in the August primaries.