University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire students are encouraged to vote in the 2023 spring general election.
The spring general election is Tuesday, April 4, and includes races for many positions including the Wisconsin Supreme Court..
Before you vote
You must register before voting. Voters can register online at myvote.wi.gov up to 20 days prior to the election (March 15), or in-person at their municipal clerk’s office until 5 p.m. the Friday before the election (March 31).
If you don’t register in advance, you may register in person at your polling place on Election Day.
When registering to vote, students are reminded to bring an acceptable photo ID card and proof of residency in the ward where they wish to vote. Note that your acceptable photo ID card does not need to include a local address. Learn which documents can be used as proof of residency.
If you are unable to go to your polling place on Election Day, you may fill out an in-person absentee ballot or request an absentee ballot be mailed to you.
April 4 general election absentee voting
- In-person absentee voting for city of Eau Claire residents runs Tuesday, March 21, through March 31, at Eau Claire City Hall, 203 S. Farwell St., using a drive-thru process. In-person absentee voting hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
- Voters can request an absentee ballot be sent to them via U.S. Mail using myvote.wi.gov. The request must be received by the city clerk’s office by 5 p.m. March 30. Completed ballots must be received by elections staff no later than 8 p.m. on April 4; learn more about returning your absentee ballot here.
Do your research
Voters can look at the races on their ballot and do research on the candidates. To see who is on your election ballot, go to myvote.wi.gov.
In-person voting
- Davies Center is the in-person polling site for on-campus students and will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. on Election Day. Students who live in on-campus residence halls reside in Ward 20.
- Many campus-area community residents are also assigned to this polling place, so limited parking spaces in the Phillips Lot will be made available for voters on election days. Obey all temporary parking signage indicating “Voter Parking Only — 30 Minute Limit.”
- Off-campus students are advised to check the myvote.wi.gov website to determine their in-person polling site.
At the polls
- Students must present an acceptable photo ID card at the polls. Acceptable IDs include a Wisconsin driver’s license, Wisconsin state ID card, military ID card or passport.
- Your UW-Eau Claire student ID (Blugold Card) is Wisconsin Voter ID Compliant as long as it includes your signature. Poll workers will check to see that the name on your photo ID matches your legal name as it appears in the poll book. Even if your Blugold Card shows your preferred name on the front, know that your legal name is printed on the back above the signature box.
- You may still use your Blugold Card if it has expired, but you must also bring a document proving your current enrollment at the university. Students may download a voter verification form from MyBlugold CampS that provides proof of enrollment and your current local address. This form also can be used as proof of residency when registering to vote. See instructions for downloading the form and note that your pop-up blocker must be disabled to load the document on Apple devices.
