Wisconsin

Your rights at the polls guide

Your Rights Under Federal Law

  • All voters have the right not to be discriminated against on the basis of race, national origin, or disability.
  • All voters have the right to vote free of intimidation.
  • All voters who need assistance by reason of disability or inability to read and write in the language of the ballot may choose someone to assist them to vote, as long as the person is not an agent/representative of the voter’s employer or union.

Your Rights When You
Check-In To Vote

A poll worker or another voter can challenge your right to vote; however, a challenge made by another voter is strictly limited to the below reasons:
  • Your identity (including age and citizenship status)
  • Your residency
  • Whether you are ineligible to vote as a result of a criminal conviction or incompetence
  • Whether you have already voted in the election
If someone challenges a voter, the challenger’s name and address will be recorded on a challenge form.
After a Challenge:
  • You have the right to vote a normal ballot after you take an oath attesting that you are an eligible voter and fully answer the questions asked by the poll worker, also known as the “election inspector.”
  • The election inspector who questions you will determine the outcome of the challenge.

Q&A: Your rights inside the polling place

01. What can poll workers ask me?
Poll workers CAN ask to see a voter’s ID. This is required by Wisconsin law, and every voter must show ID in order to vote a regular ballot.
02. Who can I speak to if I am having any issues or problems with a poll worker?
Speak to the Chief Election Inspector of the polling place. The Chief Election Inspector is in charge of the polling place and serves as a liaison between clerks and the poll workers. If that does not resolve the issue, call Election Protection.
03. I notice some poll watchers are taking photographs inside the polling place. Is that allowed?
No, observers may not take photos or videos inside the polling place. However, voters may take photos and videos of themselves as long as it is not disruptive. Voters should avoid taking photos of their marked ballots. The media can take photos and videos during voting hours.
04. Who gets to decide who is inside the polling place?

The Chief Election Inspector has the authority to decide who is allowed in the polling place.

Observers CANNOT be within three feet of the check-in area of a polling place.

05. Who can I talk to if someone is trying to get in the way of me completing my ballot?
Speak to the Chief Election Inspector. This person can instruct poll workers to perform certain duties and remove individuals from the polling place, including observers. If that does not resolve the issue, call Election Protection.
06. What are my rights if I need help voting?
Voters are entitled to assistance. If a voter has a disability that requires assistance to vote, cannot read or write, or has trouble reading or writing English, the voter may bring a person of their choice to help them vote. The person providing assistance may not be the voter’s union representative or employer. A voter who has a disability that requires assistance to vote also has the right to assistance mailing or delivering their absentee ballot from a person of their choice, as long as that person is not the voter’s union representative or employer.

Fair Elections Center and Campus Vote Project intend the information contained herein to be used only as a general guide. This document should not be used as a substitute for consultation with a licensed Wisconsin legal professional. Updated August 2024. Contact Fair Elections Center at
info@fairelection.codpixels.com

If you have questions or are experiencing problems voting, call the Election Protection Hotline and speak with a volunteer to get help.
  • Call in English: 866-OUR-VOTE
  • CALL in Spanish: 888-VE-Y-VOTA
  • Call in Asian Languages: 888-API-VOTE
  • CALL in Arabic: 844-YALLA-US

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