The Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will extend hours at customer service centers today and tomorrow, Aug. 13, with DMV service centers remaining open until 6 p.m. The extended hours will enable those needing a photo ID — frequently those who are new to the state — time to visit a DMV ahead of Wisconsin’s Fall Partisan Primary election on Tuesday.
Voters who will be at least 18 years of age by the next election and don’t already have a Wisconsin driver license, ID, or other form of identification needed to vote, may still obtain a Wisconsin ID from the DMV. The Wisconsin Elections Commission website explains the options for IDs to show at the polls. There is no separate “voter ID,” and a federally compliant REAL ID card is not required for voting purposes.
There are documentation requirements, such as a birth certificate, proof of identity, and Wisconsin residency, to obtain an official Wisconsin ID card. If all documentation is not readily available, DMV has a free process which enables U.S. citizens to obtain a receipt valid for voting while the remaining documents or verifications are obtained.
Voters should bring any documentation available to the DMV and will fill out two forms. DMV’s website has a locator to find the nearest DMV and check wait times. A photo ID document will be sent via overnight mail that may be taken to the polls and used for voting. Completing a provisional ballot may be an option until the photo ID document arrives.
DMV offers ID cards for voting purposes free of charge. Questions regarding voter eligibility, poll locations, voter registration information, or other election information may be found on the Wisconsin Elections Commission website.
