The general election will be held on Tuesday, November 5 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The City of Whitewater has two polling places for this election, the Downtown Armory, 146 W. North Street, and the UW-W University Center Hamilton Room. If you are uncertain as to which is your polling place, you may enter your address at this site.

Update 11/4/24 @ 11:50 p.m.: City Clerk Heather Boehm told The Whitewater Banner that over 2100 voters have already submitted their ballots prior to the opening of the polls. Less than 100 absentee ballots were outstanding as of Monday, November 4. Anyone still wishing to submit their absentee ballot must bring it to the Municipal Building, where there is a “Central Count” for all the early/absentee ballots. A voter may bring their ballot into the Community Room or place it in the drop box in the Whitewater Street vestibule. The deadline is, of course, 8 p.m.

Here’s what’s on your ballot

Federal races: U.S. Senate
U.S. House of Representatives
Walworth County – District 1
Jefferson County – District 5

State race: Representative to the Assembly District 43
State issue: Constitutional amendment

County race – Walworth County – District Attorney
County race – Jefferson County – District Attorney

City of Whitewater Non-binding Referendum – “The City of Whitewater Water Utility has decommissioned the Starin Park Water Tower, meaning it is no longer part of the water system. The Water Utility can spend up to $600,000 (the cost of demolition) to maintain it as a City-owned Historical Landmark. The remaining costs, approximately $1,000,000 for repairs and $250,000 every 10 years for maintenance would need to come from City tax dollars or donations. Should the City of Whitewater use tax dollars to repair and maintain the Starin Park Water Tower?”

You may view what’s on the ballot (except the City of Whitewater referendum) by entering your address on this site.

If you haven’t voted in one or more of the previous elections this year, you’ll notice some changes:

Voters will notice two significant changes from all the previous elections. Instead of there being the usual four check-in tables, there will be only one. A voter may approach any poll worker (officially called an election inspector) who is sitting at a Badger Book. These electronic devices are replacing the paper poll books. The voter is still required by law to state their name and address and provide their driver license or other photo ID. Rather than signing in ink, the signature will be provided on the electronic screen. This may be done either by using the provided stylus or with a finger. The signature must be written entirely within a box on the screen. Never fear, the signature need not bear great resemblance to one’s usual signature. From there, the process will be essentially the same as before, except that the voter will be provided a receipt that indicates the “style” of paper ballot (for Jefferson or Walworth County) which they are to be issued at the next table. The ballots will be marked by the voter in the same fashion as previously.

Here is a link to a brief video from the City of De Pere which provides an excellent introduction to the Badger Books. As is shown in the video, the Badger Books will also be used to register new voters or to enter changes of address. Our voters will, however, be directed to a separate station for this purpose. After the voter is registered or their address is changed, the same poll worker will provide the receipt that they need in order to obtain their ballot.

ID required

Specific types of photo identification are required in order to vote. This website shows the acceptable forms of ID.

Same day registration

Citizens may register to vote at the polls. Proof of residence is required. This website shows the acceptable forms. A qualified elector is any U.S. citizen who:

• will be 18 years of age or older on Election Day.
• has resided in the ward or municipality where they wish to vote for at least 28 consecutive days before the election.  
• An otherwise eligible elector who moves within or to Wisconsin less than 28 days before an election must generally vote in his or her previous election district or ward. If a person is otherwise qualified to vote in Wisconsin except for meeting the 28 day residency requirement prior to a presidential election, the individual may vote for the offices of President and Vice President, but no other office.