Dean of students communicates with students about voting

Here is an email message that went out to UW–Madison students regarding voting, in advance of next week’s primary election:

If this is the first message you’ve received from me, a quick word of
introduction: I’m Lori Berquam, your dean of students. I hope you’re having a great summer, and we’re excited for the start of the semester.

I’m emailing because I believe it’s important to help students learn to register and vote in elections of local, state and national importance. As you may already know, a Wisconsin primary election will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 14.

As during the June 5 election, recent changes in voting laws and your transition between home and campus may require you to plan ahead. See which of these situations applies to you:

–If you’re a new or returning Wisconsin student who has registered to vote in your hometown, vote in your hometown.

–If you’ve registered in Madison and lived in an apartment or house in Madison during the summer: Vote on Aug. 14 at your regular Madison polling place or via absentee ballot. (See below for details.)

–If you’re registered in Madison, are home for the summer, but plan to return to a new address in University Housing or an off-campus apartment or house after Aug. 14: Your options include requesting an absentee ballot using your 2011-12 Madison address or returning to Madison to vote on Aug. 14. (See below for details.)

–If you’re not registered, you may also register at the polls on Aug. 14. For more information, click here.

You may be required to show proof of residency, such as a paper copy of a Voter Enrollment Verification form, to prove your address if you are registering at the polls. Remember, you do not currently need to show a photo ID at the polls or when you register.

An absentee ballot request form can be found here.

In addition to requesting an absentee ballot by mail, you may vote absentee in person at the Madison City Clerk’s office. Full details about absentee voting can be found here.

If you need information about your polling place or registration status, visit here.

If you have questions, contact the Madison city clerk’s office at (608) 266-4601, voting@cityofmadison.com or visit here.

Lori Berquam
Dean of Students