Do you know where you will be on Election Day? Will you be traveling? At home with a sick kid? Farming? For a lot of us, we think we know exactly where we'll be on election day, but that isn't always the case. We'll mark November 3 on our calendars because we know we have a responsibility to vote, but what if the unexpected happens?

Take the example of a farmer I talked to who was planning to vote on election day a few years ago. The weather on election day was perfect for farming, and by the time he realized it, the polls were closed and he had missed his opportunity.

The easy solution to prevent this from happening to you is to vote by absentee ballot. Bank your vote. Guarantee that you will vote in the election this fall. I almost always vote by absentee ballot just in case the unexpected happens.

If you've already requested your absentee ballot, you will soon see it in your mailbox. The deadline for municipal clerks to send out absentee ballots to people with valid requests on file is Thursday, September 17. If you already have a request on file, you will receive your ballot soon. Ensure you obtain a witness signature, fill it out, and return it to your local clerk.

If you haven't requested your absentee ballot yet, request yours today. In Wisconsin, any voter can request an absentee ballot. Visit MyVote Wisconsin to request your ballot. If you are not already registered to vote, you will need to do so. You can register online in just a few minutes. Don't forget to have a valid ID ready. You can request your absentee ballot by mail until October 29, 2026. However, I would encourage you to not wait until the last minute.

In addition to absentee voting by mail, there are also opportunities for in-person absentee voting. In-person absentee voting may begin on October 20. Each local municipality has its own guidelines and hours. Be sure to check for the specific voting hours in your community.

Don't miss out on participating in our democracy because the unexpected happens. Request your absentee ballot today. Fill it out and return it.

Bank your vote.