As you go to the polls, you'll notice some things are different. If you're already a registered voter, you're good to go. Just tell the pollworker your name and address and ask for a ballot. But, if you plan on registering at the polls, Kyle Richmond with the state Elections Board says you'll have to show proof of residency, like a mortgage, utility bill, or a library card — something with your current name and address on it. But, that's not all. "You need to use your driver's license on the voter registration form. If you don't have a Wisconsin driver's license, you use the last four numbers of your social security number."
You will also need to give your date of birth, but Richmond assures us it's confidential information. Among other new features at the polls, you'll see greeters there to help you out. "You also may want to ask poll workers to walk you through how to use new voting equipment if there's new voting equipment in your polling place."
New for the first time is mandatory equipment to help people with disabilities, however voter machines vary statewide. In Wisconsin over 85-percent of voters will be casting ballots on paper, using an optical scan machine. Under five-percent of voting places are using touch screen equipment. Richmond says if you feel there is something amiss at the polling place, you can talk to someone about it, but start with the polling person who can probably resolve the issue for you. If that doesn't help, you can work your way up. "So, the first thing to do is to talk to poll workers, then talk to the clerk, talk to law enforcement and then talk to the Elections Board." For the first time in Wisconsin, we have standard hours at the polls statewide, starting at 7am and going through 8pm.