Hotline Information:
Phone Number (text/call): (608) 699-6950
Wisconsin Election Observer Guide (EL 4)
Governing Principle — Right to Vote (EL 4.01)
Nothing in ch. EL 4 “shall be construed to distract, disrupt, obstruct, slow, or prevent a qualified voter from casting a lawful ballot or registering to vote.”
Key Definitions (EL 4.02)
● Observer: A member of the public who has signed in as an observer at an observable location and is present to observe an election or absentee ballot voting process. An observer is not required to represent an organization.
● Observe: To see or hear. Observation does not include physically handling election-related materials or materials provided by a voter.
● Observable location: Includes polling places, certain municipal clerk offices, alternate absentee ballot sites, meetings of absentee ballot canvassers, facilities served by special voting deputies, central count locations, and recount locations during authorized hours.
● Designated election official: The chief inspector under most circumstances at a polling place, but it can be the clerk or other election official designated by the chief inspector or clerk. It will be the special voting deputies (SVDs) at any facility served by SVDs and for a recount it will be the board of canvassers.
● Confidential information: Information not part of the public aspects of the voting process, including voted ballots and voter personal information, but not including the type of document submitted for photo ID or proof of residence (the information on those documents remains confidential).
Observation & Election Official Procedures (EL 4.03(1-5))
The “designated election official” is responsible for ensuring the following:
Observation Areas
● At least one observation area must be established to allow observers to readily observe all public aspects of the voting process, provided that the observers do not disrupt the voting process.
● Observation areas must be positioned to minimize contact between observers and voters, as well as between observers and election officials.
● Observation areas must be no less than 3 feet and no more than 8 feet from:
○ Voter check-in tables at a polling place or where election officials announce the names of absentee voters at central counting locations.
○ Voter registration tables.
○ Ballot remaking tables.
● Observation areas must be accessible to observers with disabilities and can accommodate any disability aids such as mobility equipment.
* If a designated election official is unable to meet the above requirements, this failure must be reported to WEC within 60 days after the election, including the reasons the requirements were not met. See EL 4.03(5).
Observer Log and Identification
● A member of the public intending to observe must sign the observer log and provide the following information (see EL 4.04(1)):
○ Full name.
○ Street address and municipality.
○ Affiliated organization, if any, not required to be affiliated with any organization.
● The designated election official must verify that the photo identification reasonably resembles the observer and the name entered, but the identification does not need to meet the same requirements as for voter identifications.
● After an observer completes the log, the designated election official must provide a summary of observer rules, including the following:
○ Inform the observer to whom questions may be directed.
○ Inform the observer how movement between observation areas may occur.
○ Inform the observer of the ballot remaking location, if applicable.
● The designated election official shall direct observers to the designated observation area
and provide a badge, sticker, or other identifying item, which all observers must wear, distinguishing them from election inspectors and voters.
● The designated election official must return the voter log to the clerk after all election activities at the location have concluded.
Additional Observer Access
● Observers must be permitted access to available chairs and to the same restroom access available to election officials.
● The designated election official may reasonably limit the number of observers representing the same organization due to physical limitations or orderly administration,
applied uniformly and documented (with specific reasons for the limitations) within the inspector’s statement or other incident log.
* Please notify WisGOP / Election Integrity Hotline if this is occurring or any election official or election inspector indicates this may occur at any location.
Materials & Information That May Be Observed (EL 4.03(6-10))
Observers may:
● Observe public aspects of the voting process, including the check-in process (including the announcement of voters’ names and addresses) and the registration process.
○ An observer may request, and an election official shall, repeat a voter’s names
and address once. If more than once it is a t the official’s discretion and not required.
● Observe absentee ballot certificate envelopes that have been set aside to be rejected.
● Observe poll lists, excluding confidential portions, at times determined not to interfere with voting or election administration.
Observers may not:
● Handle original versions of any official election document. The term “official election document” is not defined but should be broadly interpreted.
● Observe any “Confidential Information” (see definitions above).
○ Important distinction: The type of document used by an individual for purposes of identification or proof of residency is not “confidential information”, but the information contained in that document might be. In other words, an observer is entitled to know what type of identification or proof of residency an individual is providing but is not entitled to inspect the document.
Enforcement and Removal (EL 4.03(11))
● An observer who violates ch. EL 4 or applicable election statutes is entitled to receive one warning (verbally or in writing) to cease the offending conduct before the observer can be ordered to leave.
● If the conduct continues, the designated election official may order the observer to leave the polling location.
● If the observer fails to comply, law enforcement may be summoned.
● All removals must be documented in the inspector’s report or other incident log and reported to the Wisconsin Elections Commission.
Observer Conduct Requirements (EL 4.04(3-15))
When an observer signs the observer log as required, they agree to comply with all commands of the designated election official, and they acknowledge / agree to the following:
Observers may:
● Move between observation areas in conformance with instructions of the designated election official (3).
● Direct questions to the designated election official, or other election officials, if directed by the designated election official ((4), see also (14)).
● If a qualified elector, raise challenges for cause only in accordance with Wisconsin law (5).
Observers may not:
● Engage in loud, boisterous, or disruptive behavior as determined in the discretion of the designated election official (6).
● Photograph, video record, or audio record within a polling location (7).
● Engage in conversation that may distract voters or election officials (8).
● Engage in electioneering or post/distribute election-related material within the polling location (9).
● Display name/likeness of any candidate, party, or any election messaging (10).
● Display any text or other message implying the observer is an election official (10).
● Discuss candidates, parties, or ballot questions with anyone (11).
● Use communication devices for audio or video within an observer area (12).
○ Non-disruptive text messaging or email communication is allowed.
○ Photos and audio/video are allowed by the media (see EL 4.07).
● Initiate conversations with voters in or near the polling location (13).
○ If initiated by a voter, the observer may briefly respond and/or direct the voter to an election official.
○ This does NOT apply to voter assistance otherwise allowed under Wisconsin law (15).
Location-Specific Observation Rules (EL 4.05)
The designated election official shall permit observation as follows:
At Polling Places (EL 4.05(1))
● Beginning at 7:00 a.m. or when machines are zeroed, whichever is earlier.
● Until 8:00 p.m. (or any extended voting hours) or when the last voter in line has voted.
● Observers may remain to observe canvassing under open meetings law.
● Photography and recording inside the polling place is prohibited until public canvassing begins.
Municipal Clerk Offices and Alternate Absentee Sites (EL 4.05(2))
● During all in-person absentee voting hours.
● Observation includes initial enclosing and securing of absentee ballots received during those hours.
Boards of Absentee Ballot Canvassers (EL 4.05(3))
● During all meetings.
● Photography and recordings are permitted, except for individuals returning or correcting absentee ballots.
Residential Care Facilities (4.05(4))
● During all times SVDs are administering voting, but only one observer from each of the two qualifying political parties.
● Observer names must be submitted to the clerk or commission in advance.
● Observers must comply with facility visitor requirements.
● Observers may not enter private rooms and may not observe voter electoral choices.
Recounts (EL 4.05(5))
● During all recount hours.
● Photographs and recordings are permitted, subject to confidential information rules.
Central Count Locations (EL 4.05(6))
● During all ballot counting.
● Photographs and recordings are permitted, subject to confidential information rules.
This document is a structured restatement of Wisconsin Administrative Code ch. EL 4 and does not replace the text of the rule.
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Voter IDs & Citizenship
Wisconsin Voter ID & Student ID Requirements
Photo ID to Vote: What’s Required
Wisconsin law requires all in-person voters to present a photo ID that is acceptable under
state law when they go to vote. Only certain types of photo IDs meet this requirement — and the
rules vary slightly by ID type.
*Note: presenting a photo ID is a requirement to receive a ballot, identification for registration purposes is
a different process with different requirements, distinction discussed below.
Acceptable Photo IDs — Key Points
Unless noted below, photo IDs may be accepted even if expired, as long as they expired after the most recent general election:
● Wisconsin DOT-issued driver license
● Wisconsin DOT-issued non-driver State ID Card
● Military ID/ Veterans Affairs ID / other US Uniformed Services ID
● U.S. passport or Passport Card
These IDs must be unexpired to be used:
● Certificate of naturalization (issued within 2 years)
● DOT temporary receipts (e.g., 45-day receipts)
acceptable IDs:
● Tribal ID (must be a federally recognized tribe in Wisconsin), can be expired even before the last General Election.
● Unexpired College or University photo IDs (see special section on following page)
Important Note:
*Note: None of the above Photo IDs need to have the individual’s current registered voting address on the ID. Photo ID is for an individual receiving an in-person ballot to prove they are who they say they are. The verification of residency is a separate process during registration.
Photo IDs that are NEVER Acceptable:
⚠️ Driver’s licenses or any other identification cards issued by other states or countries.
⚠️ Employer IDs, club or membership cards, and other identifications non-listed above.
⚠️ IDs that do not contain a photograph.
Student ID Cards: What Works (& What Doesn’t)
When a Student ID Is Acceptable
A student ID issued by a Wisconsin-accredited college or university can be used to vote
(both early and on election day) if all of the following are true:
1. It has a photo, a name, and the student’s signature.
2. It shows a date of issuance and expiration date no more than two years after that issuance date.
3. If the student ID is expired, the voter must also show proof of current enrollment
(e.g., a tuition receipt, enrollment verification letter, or class schedule).
*Note: Just having a student ID isn’t enough if it doesn’t meet all the above criteria. Many Wisconsin universities issue voter-compliant student IDs or allow students to obtain them for voting purposes specifically (e.g., UW–Madison/Marquette voter-compliant IDs shown above).
Proof of Citizenship vs. Voter ID
Important distinction: Registration vs. Obtaining a Ballot
Registration Stage
● When you register to vote — whether online, by mail, or in person — you must attest in writing that you are a U.S. citizen. This is signed under penalty of perjury. There is no requirement under current Wisconsin law that election officials verify your citizenship using your ID, DMV records, or any database when voting.
Obtaining a Ballot: At the Polls / In-Person Absentee
● Showing your photo ID at the polls confirms identity, not citizenship. A valid photo ID helps poll workers match the name and likeness of the person in the poll book — but it does not itself legally prove citizenship for voting purposes and the requirement is not intended to do so.
Citizenship & Certain WisDOT IDs
Under current practice and guidance from WEC, certain IDs that indicate someone is likely not a citizen can be the basis for a challenge, but does not automatically disqualify the voter:
● DOT IDs marked “Limited Term” or “Non-Domiciled” are still acceptable for voting because they meet identity requirements, but these markings indicate the individual is likely not a citizen.
● Proper procedure (current WEC guidance): If a poll worker identifies a “Limited Term” or “Non-Domiciled” ID, the worker should ask follow-up questions or proceed with an official challenge under standard eligibility challenge procedures.
○ If challenged the individual is not required to provide proof of citizenship (but they can) and if they simply swear under oath that they are a citizen, they still get a ballot.
● If an observer notices an ID that contains “Limited Term” or “Non-Domiciled” they should bring that to the attention of the chief election inspector or other proper election official present and remind them of this WEC guidance. Please also report this to WisGOP / Election Integrity with the details on how the issue was resolved.
Quick Poll Worker Checklist
Poll workers should adhere to the following process:
1. Request that the voter present photo ID, providing clear visibility for the poll worker.
2. Check that the photograph reasonably resembles the voter.
3. Check that Name on the ID conforms to the name on the registration (exact match not required).
4. Confirm ID meets the Expiration/Date requirements for that specific ID category.
a. Remember that most IDs can be expired if the expiration date is after November 5, 2024.
5. If a student ID, they should check for specific requirements (photo, dates, signature).
6. Poll workers should also be attentive for the “limited term” and “non-domiciled” form of IDs and challenge eligibility if any ID is presented.
Final Note: The above process does not apply to registration, whether during in-person absentee or voting at polling locations on Election Day. For registration, the identification requirement is limited to completing the registration form and putting either a driver’s license number or last 4 digits of social security number on that form. However, even for those that have just registered that day, once they have completed the registration paperwork, the poll worker should still request photo ID before providing the newly registered voter with a ballot in the same fashion as other pre-registered voters.
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Voter ID Examples
Acceptable Photo IDs
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NEVER Acceptable Photo IDs
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