Voting FAQs
The next election is Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Campus polling will take place in the University Center Hamilton Room. Registration and voting will also take place at the Downtown Armory at 146 W North St, depending on where your place of residence is.
Students who live on campus and wish to vote in person will vote in the University Center Hamilton Room. Other Students that are registered in Wisconsin may find their polling place here. Out of State Students who wish to vote in person in their home state may find their polling place at My Vote Wisconsin.
In Wisconsin, assuming you are already registered to vote, you will need to bring a valid photo ID (drivers license, state ID, HawkCard) and a proof of residence (WINS voter verification, lease). If you are an out of state student, your Hawkcard can take the place of your state ID or drivers license.
Your ability to vote is protected by law, and there are accommodations available to you. Learn more about these accomodations »
If you are a registered voter of Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, or Minnesota, you are automatically eligible for an absentee ballot. Check to see if you qualify for an absentee ballot from a state other than Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, or Minnesota »
To request an absentee ballot in Whitewater, Wisconsin and other locations in Wisconsin, follow the directions to complete an absentee ballot request.
Vote in Illinois
To request an absentee ballot from Illinois, follow the directions to complete an absentee ballot request.
Vote in Iowa
To request an absentee ballot from Iowa, follow the directions to complete an absentee ballot request.
Vote in Minnesota
To request an absentee ballot from Minnesota, follow the directions to complete an absentee ballot request.
Vote in Additional State
To request an absentee ballot from another state, find your state, and follow the directions to request an absentee ballot if you are eligible.
Deadline to Return Absentee Ballot
If you have already received an absentee ballot, you must return your absentee ballot by mail or delivery to your municipal clerk. Your ballot must be received by your municipal clerk on Election Day, April 7, 2026.
Registration FAQs
To register to vote, visit My Vote Wisconsin to check your registration status. The deadline to register online or make changes to your address at this website is March 18. You may print off the form from My Vote Wisconsin and bring it to Whitewater City Hall by 5 p.m. on April 7.
Voters can also register in-person on election day.
You can check online if you are registered to vote in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and other states.
You need to have lived at your address for 28 days; however, you can register to vote prior to the 28 days.
A Wisconsin ID or a driver’s license. Voter ID HawkCards provide out-of-state students with the ability to register and vote in Wisconsin. The expiration date of a HawkCard voter ID card does not impact the functionality of the HawkCard in any capacity. The HawkCard itself never expires.
Your completed absentee ballot MUST be delivered via mail or in person to the city clerk no later than Election Day by 8 p.m. at 312 W. Whitewater St., Whitewater WI 53190
You can use you HawkCard AND BRING a picture of you student bill. If you live on campus, the clerk on Election Day will also have a university-provided housing list.
You can also log in to WINS and select VOTER ENROLLEMNT VERIFICATION Letter. It will download a PDF. Open and screen print a photo to share on Election day or when registering.
You can be registered to vote in Whitewater, using your Whitewater address, or in your hometown, using your home address. You may only be registered to vote in one place. Please be aware that if you are registered in your hometown, that you may need to either early vote or request an absentee ballot.
Identification FAQs
Anyone voting in person, in Wisconsin, must show an ID. An acceptable form of photo ID in Wisconsin includes, but is not limited to:
- A Wisconsin drivers’ license
- A Wisconsin ID issued from the Department of Transportation
- A Military ID card
- A United States Passport
- A Voter ID compliant HawkCard that can be obtained for free through the HawkCard office
- A Tribal ID
You can obtain a free voter ID from the DMV. UW-Whitewater students may also obtain a free voter ID compliant HawkCard from the HawkCard office located in the UC, during business hours. The HawkCard office will be open until 8 p.m. on election day.
An acceptable proof of residence includes, but is not limited to:
- A valid Wisconsin driver’s license with the address that the voter is registered to vote at
- An official Wisconsin ID with the address that the voter is registered to vote at
- A property tax bill
- A bank statement
- A utility bill
- A paycheck of paystub
If you live on campus, your HawkCard will also work as a proof of residence. A list of those living on campus will be provided to the clerk to use on Election Day. While this will ideally continue happening in the future, it cannot be guaranteed, so make sure to check back for confirmation as we get closer to the election.
You can also log in to WINS and select VOTER ENROLLEMNT VERIFICATION Letter. It will download a PDF. Open and screen print a photo to share on Election day or when registering.