Voter Registration And Voting By Absentee Ballot

The City Clerk’s Office is responsible for voter registration and absentee ballots in the City of Prairie du Chien. The City Clerk’s regular office hours are 8 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday – Friday.

How to Register to Vote

Anyone wishing to register to vote in the City of Prairie du Chien must be a U.S. citizen; a resident of your current location for at least 10 days prior to the election; at least 18 years of age on election day; have not been convicted of treason, felony, or bribery; and have not been found by a court to be incapable of understanding the electoral process. The voter has three options to register.

By Mail. Download the Application for Voter Registration, complete the form and mail it to the City Clerk's Office up to 4:30 PM on the second Wednesday before the election. As of January 1, 2003, the "Help America Vote Act of 2002" requires any person registering to vote for the first time and submitting a registration application by mail to provide a copy of acceptable identification along with the application. Acceptable identification is either a current, valid photo identification or one of the following: a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, pay check, or government document that shows the current name and address of the voter.

In Person. Register in the City Clerk’s Office up to 4:30 PM on the day before the election. You must present a Wisconsin Department of Transportation issued driver’s license or identification card number, or the last four (4) digits of your social security number, or if you have neither, acceptable proof of residence or a witness that will confirm your residence.

At The Polling Place On Election Day. Register to vote at your polling place. You must present a Wisconsin Department of Transportation issued driver’s license or identification card number, or the last four (4) digits of your social security number, or if you have neither, acceptable proof of residence or a witness that will confirm your residence.

How to Apply For Absentee Ballot

Registered voters may vote by absentee ballot. To receive an absentee ballot:

By Mail. Download the Application For Absentee Ballot, complete the form and mail it to the City Clerk’s Office. The application must be received by the City Clerk no later than 4:30 PM on the Friday before the election in order for an absentee ballot to be mailed to you. Please allow time for mailing, the ballot must be received by election day to be counted!

In Person. Request an absentee ballot in person at the City Clerk's office. This can be done until 4:30 PM on the day before the election.

Where to Vote

ATTENTION VOTERS:  IF YOU PREVIOUSLY VOTED AT THE METHODIST CHURCH OR THE GRACE EVANGELICAL CHURCH YOU WILL NOW VOTE AT BLUFF HAVEN (THE NEW NURSING HOME FACILITY) 

The Spring Election will be held on Tuesday, April 6, 2010.  The polling locations are as follows:   

Aldermanic District 1, Ward 1 – Bluff Haven, 720 South Fremont Street 

Aldermanic District 2, Wards 2 & 3 – City Hall Community Room, 214 East Blackhawk Avenue 

Aldermanic District 3, Wards 4 & 5 - City Hall Community Room, 214 East Blackhawk Avenue 

Aldermanic District 4, Ward 6 – National Guard Armory, 601 North Marquette Road 

Aldermanic District 5, Wards 7 & 8 - – National Guard Armory, 601 North Marquette Road 

Aldermanic District 6, Ward 9 - Bluff Haven, 720 South Fremont Street 

After the 2000 Census, our City was divided into Wards because no Ward could have more than 1,000 people.  The populations of each Ward were reviewed and adjustments to the boundaries were made to assure compliance with this requirement.  At the time of each census Aldermanic Districts were also reviewed to keep our six Aldermanic Districts relatively equal in population.  Within each Aldermanic District, there are two Aldermen elected to represent the people of that Aldermanic District.  The location that you vote is determined by the Aldermanic District that you live in.  An Aldermanic District currently includes at least one and in some cases two Wards.  What we used to know as the Fourth Ward is now part of the Third Aldermanic District along with the Fifth Ward which votes at the City Hall.  The map outlines for you the Six Aldermanic Districts and what City Wards are included in each District.  

For purposes of voting in the City, a voter only needs to know what Aldermanic District they live in and where their polling place is, but election officials (clerks) are required to know the breakdown of some of those districts into wards for election reporting. All of this complexity is to ensure the ‘one man, one vote’ our representative democracy is built on. When the 2010 Census is complete, the City will once again revisit the detailed block by block data to, in some cases, redraw those District and Ward boundaries.

Upcoming Elections

April 6, 2010 - Spring Election
September 14, 2010 - Partisan Primary
November 2, 2010 - General Election

Sources of Additional Information

The Wisconsin State Elections Board website [http://elections.state.wi.us/ ] has information about voter registration, elections, campaign finance, and how to locate your polling place.

Visit the Wisconsin Voter Public Access website [http://vpa.wi.gov/] to view sample ballots and search for polling locations.