State Statutes allow anyone who is unable or unwilling to go to the polls on Election Day to vote by absentee ballot.  You can cast an absentee ballot in person or by mail.  If voting by mailed absentee ballot, be sure to review the information below for Returning Absentee Ballots (they way in which you can return an absentee ballot has changed).

Please Note: If you are not already registered, you will need to register to vote before an absentee ballot can be sent to you. A new registration is required anytime you move or change your name.

Interested in information about Wisconsin Absentee Voting, click HERE to view short videos created by the Wisconsin Election Commission.

In-Person Absentee Ballot

In-person absentee voting begins 14 days before an election.  Hours may vary by election and will be posted approximately three weeks before each election.

An elector who, due to disability or impairment, which includes being immunocompromised or having symptoms of COVID-19, is unable to enter the polling place may receive a ballot at the entrance to the polling place or curbside.  Electors may also register to vote curbside.  Contact the City Clerk's Office at 608-789-7510 upon your arrival. 

Request An Absentee Ballot by Mail

Absentee ballots will be mailed to registered voters if a written request is submitted. 

• Download Absentee Ballot Request

Or submit a written request containing the following information:

1. Date(s) of Election(s) ... please be precise—see 2024 Election Dates
2. Name
3. Date of Birth
4. La Crosse Address
5. Address to which the ballot should be mailed (if different)
6. Phone number
7. Signature

*Photo ID must accompany the request unless it has been previously provided (photo ID does not need to show a current address). A list of acceptable photo ID can be found on the Bring It website.

Mail the request to City Clerk's Office, 400 La Crosse Street, La Crosse WI 54601 OR  you may apply for an absentee ballot by sending a written request to elections@cityoflacrosse.org.
You may also request an Absentee Ballot at My Vote Wisconsin.

*Under Wis. Stats. sec. 6.86(1)(b), clerks cannot accept personally delivered applications for absentee ballots earlier than 14 days preceding the election.  They can be accepted if mailed, emailed, or submitted via myvote.

The request must be received by the City Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on the fifth day (Thursday) before Election Day in order for an absentee ballot to be mailed.  We recommend making your request as early as possible so there is adequate time to return the ballot to the Clerk's Office.

Note: If requesting an absentee ballot via email, only one person may request per email. Example: If husband and wife are requesting, two separate emails must be received - one for each.

*See Instructions for Returning An Absentee Ballot at the bottom of this page.

Receive an Absentee Ballot on a Permanent Basis

If you are indefinitely confined because of age, illness, infirmity or disability, you can receive an absentee ballot on a permanent basis. To remain on the permanent absentee list, you must return your ballot for each election.

Note: Indefinitely confined electors are not required to submit Photo ID.

• Download Permanent Absentee Ballot Request.

If you are requesting an absentee ballot on a permanent basis, complete the Absentee Ballot Request form and submit it to the Clerk's Office.

Mail the request to City Clerk's Office, 400 La Crosse Street, La Crosse WI 54601 OR you may also request an Absentee Ballot at My Vote Wisconsin.

*Under Wis. Stats. sec. 6.86(1)(b), clerks cannot accept personally delivered applications for absentee ballots earlier than 14 days preceding the election.  They can be accepted if mailed, emailed, or submitted via myvote.

Residential Care Facility Voters

Individuals living in qualifying residential care facilities (i.e. residential care apartment complexes, nursing homes, etc.) have the option of voting at the polls on Election Day, voting at the Clerk's office during the two weeks prior to each election or voting at their facility when it is visited by Special Voting Deputies; by-mail absentee voting is not an option.

Special Voting Deputies (SVDs) are election officials who are trained and deputized by the City Clerk to perform the duties of SVD voting. SVDs will visit each qualifying facility prior to each election. The scheduled days and times will be publicly noticed and posted at each facility. SVDs must make two attempts to deliver an absentee ballot before that ballot can be mailed to the voter.

SVD Voting is governed by State Statute 6.875 .

For more information on SVD voting, please view the Wisconsin Elections Commission guide Absentee Voting in Residential Care Facilities and Retirement Homes. pdf 

Receive an Absentee Ballot in the Hospital

If you are in the hospital and unable to go to the polls on Election Day, you can receive an absentee ballot by appointing an agent to deliver and return your completed ballot. The elector and assigned agent need to complete the absentee request form. Photo ID is required of the elector; proof of identification is required of the agent.

• Download Hospitalized Absentee Ballot Request

Returning Absentee Ballots
*be sure to read all of the instructions mailed with your absentee ballot.

Ballots must be returned in person (by the voter*) or by mail. 
Ballots must be received on or before Election Day to be counted.

*Be sure your absentee ballot certificate envelope is properly sealed and contains signature of voter and the signature, printed name and full address of a witness.

• Mail Return:  If mailing your ballot, be sure to place it in the mail with sufficient time for it to be received by the City Clerk on or before Election Day. The USPS recommends mailing your ballot at least one week before Election Day.  Returning a ballot from overseas may take longer.
• Hand Deliver to the Clerk:  If hand delivering your ballot, it must be the voter that personally delivers the ballot to the City Clerk*.  You may hand deliver your ballot during public service hours which are Monday - Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - the City Clerk is window #5 in the City Hall lobby. 
• Absentee Ballot Drop Box:  A voter* may deposit their ballot in the secure absentee ballot drop box outside of City Hall.  The green drop box is located against the building off the parking lot on the north side of the building and is accessible to both foot and vehicle traffic.  The box is secured with both a paddle lock as well as security seals and is under video surveillance.  The box closes at 4:00 p.m. on Election Day.
• Deliver to an In-Person Absentee Voting site.   A voter* may personally deliver their absentee ballot to an in-person absentee voting location during the posted hours.  See In-Person Absentee Ballot section above for locations/dates/hours. 
• Deliver to your Polling Place:  A voter* may personally deliver their absentee ballot directly to their respective polling location by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. 

*You are not allowed to return another voter's ballot regardless of relationship.  The only exceptions to this is if you are returning a ballot on behalf of a voter who requires assistance due to a disability or for a hospitalized elector who has appointed an agent.

Military/ Permanent Overseas Voters

U.S. citizens residing abroad (intent to return is uncertain) and members of the military (including spouses and children) can request an absentee ballot and access absentee ballots online at My Vote Wisconsin.

Requests can also be made by completing a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). FPCA's may also be obtained by eligible voters from voting assistance officers within their branch of service, from a U.S. consulate or embassy or from the Federal Voting Assistance Program of the Department of Defense. For more information, contact the Federal Voting Assistance Program at:

(800) 438-VOTE (8683) — Toll Free
vote@fvap.gov
www.fvap.gov

Questions.  Please call the City Clerk’s Office at (608) 789-7510 or email elections@cityoflacrosse.org.

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