Early Voting Starts Monday in Whitefish Bay

While Election Day isn't until Nov. 6, voters in Whitefish Bay — and the rest of Wisconsin — can begin casting their ballots Monday.

In-person absentee voting, more commonly referred to as "early voting," begins Monday and continues through Friday, Nov. 2. To accommodate the expected influx of absentee voters, Village Hall will extend hours for absentee voting during the week of Oct. 29, as well as on Saturday, Oct. 27.

Absentee voting and voter registration will be available at Village Hall during the following dates and times:

• Monday-Friday, Oct. 22-26: 8 am to 4:30 pm
• Saturday, Oct. 27: 8 a.m. to noon
• Monday-Thursday, Oct. 29 - Nov. 1: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 2: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

You may also request an absentee ballot by mail. The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is 5 p.m. on Nov. 1.

Not sure if you are registered to vote in Whitefish Bay? Want to find your polling location?  Want to view a sample ballot?  Visit myvote.wi.gov for more information. If you have any questions about voting, contact email Deputy Clerk Kayla Chadwick.

The uptick in early voting is a nationwide trend. The percentage of early voters increased from 16 percent in 2000 to 33 percent in 2008, according to CBS News, which said the number could go as high as 40 percent this year.

Residents can register in advance of the election at Village Hall until Nov. 2. Voters can also register at the polls on Election Day, though that may mean waiting in line.

To register to vote, residents should bring a document showing proof of residence — such as a utility bill or bank statement showing complete name and current address — as well as a Wisconsin driver's license or state-issued ID. If someone does not have an ID, they can provide the last four digits of their Social Security number.

State courts and lawmakers have gone back and forth on voter ID over the last several months, but for this election, an ID is not required to vote at the polls.

To vote in Whitefish Bay, people must be U.S. citizens, 18 years old on or before Election Day, and reside in Whitefish Bay for at least 28 days prior to Election Day.

Residents may register to vote, view voter information or change information through the Government Accountability Board website.

For more information on voting in Whitefish Bay and a rundown of what's on the ballot, check out Patch's Whitefish Bay Election Guide.