Pre-18 voter registration in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin 78,178 people turn 18 every year.
Wisconsinites can pre-register before turning 18.
pre-register before turning To register to vote in Wisconsin, you must be: 18 by Aug 11th, 2026. (18 by the next primary or general election).
That means most eligible seniors and some juniors in your high school can register to vote today and vote at 18.
High school students can help one another get ready to vote.
Next Steps!
How to Register to Vote in Wisconsin
Upcoming Statewide or Federal Elections:
- Aug 11th, 2026 - Wisconsin Partisan Primary Election (Register by Jul 22nd, 2026)
- Nov 3rd, 2026 - Wisconsin General Election (Register by Oct 14th, 2026)
Useful Links:
- Registration Form - Download the paper registration form for Wisconsin.
- Registration Status - Check if you are already registered, your polling place, and more from your state’s voter registration website.
- Fair Elections Center - Learn about conducting a registration drive in Wisconsin.
- Vote 411 - A nonpartisan resource to help you register, preview your ballot, and find key election information from the League of Women Voters.
- VoteRiders - Find out what forms of ID you can use to register and vote, and get help getting a valid form of ID.
Full Registration Details
By Mail: ID Requirements
To submit a voter registration application by mail in Wisconsin, you must provide your unexpired and valid Wisconsin driver's license or Department of Transportation (WisDOT)-issued ID number, if you have one, with the expiration date. If you do not have an unexpired and valid Wisconsin ID, you must instead provide the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you have not been issued any of these ID numbers, check the appropriate box.
You must also submit with your application proof of residence documentation that shows your name and current residential address. You may include a copy with your application or submit your document electronically. Acceptable forms include, but are not limited to: current and valid Wisconsin driver's license or WisDOT-issued ID card; any official ID card or license issued by the Wisconsin government
You can find a full list of acceptable proof of residence documents and more information on the Wisconsin Elections Commission website.
By Mail: Eligibility Requirements
To register in Wisconsin you must:
be a United States citizen
be a Wisconsin resident and have resided at your registration address for at least 28 days prior to the election
be 18 years old on or before Election Day
not have been convicted of treason, felony or bribery, or if you have, your civil rights have been restored after completion of your sentence or a pardon
not have been found by a court to be incapable of understanding the objective of the electoral process
not make or benefit from a bet or wage depending on the result of an election
not have voted at any other location, if registering on Election Day
By Mail: New Voter Instructions
If you are registering to vote for the first time in Wisconsin and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide a COPY of proof of identification with your application OR show acceptable documentation when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the National Voter Registration Form.
Online Instructions
To register online in Wisconsin, you are required to provide your Wisconsin driver's license number or Wisconsin state ID card number issued by the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). To complete a voter registration application online, your name, date of birth, and ID number must match what is on file with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If you don’t have a Wisconsin-issued driver's license or ID card, or if your voter registration address does not match the address on your ID, you can still submit a voter registration application by mail or in person.
More information here.
Wisconsin High School Educators!!!
Support your students’ voter registration effort with our free toolkit.
About this information
This page presents a curated compilation of voting and election information, specifically geared toward high school students, their families, and educators.
Information about deadlines and voting laws is retrieved via the Democracy Works Elections API and was last retrieved on Jul 6th, 2026; the API compiles election guidance from official government sources and other vetted data providers, and details may change over time. Information concerning requirements for high schools is based on The Civics Center’s analysis of State Requirements for High School Voter Registration and was last updated on Jun 22nd, 2026.
Information about youth turning 18 each year is from the U.S. Census, and information on the number of 18-year-olds who have not yet registered is based on applying TCC’s analysis of Census data and state voter files. We also provide links to trusted resources, including VoteRiders (for voter ID information) and Fair Elections Center (for information about laws governing voter registration drives).
These pages are offered for guidance only and are not intended as legal advice. Please consult state election officials or an attorney if you have questions about any particular situation. We hope you find this useful. To cite our resources and original research, please provide links and/or cite The Civics Center.
© 2026 The Civics Center
