How To Apply For An Absentee Ballot

State Statutes allow anyone who is unable or unwilling to go to the polls on Election Day to vote by absentee ballot. Voters no longer need to give a reason when requesting an absentee ballot. You can cast an absentee ballot in person or by mail.

Please Note: If you are not already registered, you will need to register to vote before an absentee ballot can be sent to you.

Absentee Voting in Person

Absentee ballots are typically available three weeks prior to Election Day.  You can cast an absentee ballot in person up until 5:00 P.M. on the day before the election.

Request by Mail

1) You can request and vote an absentee ballot by mail. You must submit a written request containing the following information:

    1.    Date of Election
    2.    Name
    3.    La Crosse Address
    4.    Address the absentee ballot should be mailed
    5.    Contact phone number
    6.    Signature

2) Or download the Application For Absentee Ballot (GAB-121). 

    Complete the form and mail it to:

                        City Clerk's Office
                        400 La Crosse St
                        La Crosse WI  54601

The application must be received by the clerk no later than 5:00PM on the fifth day (Thursday) before the election in order for an absentee ballot to be mailed to you.

An elector may apply for an absentee ballot by facsimile or email; however, the faxed or emailed application must contain a copy of the applicant's signature and the elector must return a copy of the faxed or emailed application with the elector's original signature with the absentee ballot.

Note:  Special procedures apply to nursing home residents, hospitalized electors, or those on jury duty.  For more information, contact the City Clerk’s office at (608) 789-7510 as each of these circumstances require specific forms and procedures.


Deadline for Returning Ballot

The completed ballot must be received by the City Clerk (either mailed or hand-delivered) no later than 5:00PM on the day of the election so that it can be delivered to the polling location by 8:00PM.

Military/Overseas Voters

U.S. citizens residing abroad and members of the military, spouses, and children are covered by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act and are further defined below:

Citizens who are members of the Uniformed Services, merchant marine, commissioned corps of the Public Health Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the family members of the above and overseas citizens.  Uniformed services are defined as the U.S. Armed Forces (Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard), merchant marine, commissioned corps of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and family members of all of the above.  Overseas citizens are defined as citizens who reside outside the United States and their intent to return is uncertain.

A request can be made for a ballot by completing a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) Standard Form 76A.  FPCA's may 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:

Federal Voting Assistance Program
Tel: (800) 438-VOTE (8683) - Toll Free
Fax: (703) 696-1352
www.fvap.gov