Fort Atkinson Spring Primary Election February 18, 2025 - What Voters can Expect

Here is what Fort Atkinson voters need to know about deadlines pertaining to the upcoming February 18, 2025, Spring Primary Election, as per information provided by the State of Wisconsin Elections Commission (reference: www.MyVote.wi.gov), and confirmed by the Fort Atkinson municipal clerk’s office.

We have made every effort to be comprehensive so that all bases are covered. Information will vary,

such as different deadlines for different types of voters (voters overseas, in-person, indefinitely confined, military, or hospitalized).

In an effort to keep things a little simpler, we will provide information pertaining to the April 1, 2025 “General” Spring Election in a separate article. Same with what and who will actually appear

on the primary ballot - we address that in a separate article.

What we provide here pertains only to the February 18th Primary Election schedule. We note straightaway that the deadline for registering by mail or online expired on January 29, 2025.

Emphasis is on “by mail” and “online.” Voters may still register in the following ways and by the

deadlines provided below.

A general note regarding the 2025 Primary Election period

The Wisconsin Election Commission refers to the period between February 4, 2025, and February 18, 2025 as the In-Person Absentee Voting Period. In this period, voters can request, and vote an absentee ballot, in-person at the municipal clerk’s office.

However, the Wisconsin Elections Commission cautions voters statewide that some municipal offices may or may not offer additional in-person absentee hours. It is always prudent to check locally with the municipal clerk’s office.

The Fort Atkinson Municipal Clerk is located at the Municipal Building, 101 North Main Street. Phone: 920-397-9901. Hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm.

Voting deadlines

February 13, 2025 by 5:00pm:

• Deadline by mail or www.MyVote.wi.gov for Regular and Temporary Overseas Voters to request an Absentee Ballot. If registering by mail, requests must be received by the municipal clerk’s office, 101 North Main Street, Fort Atkinson, no later than 5:00pm.

  • Note: A temporarily overseas voter is a voter currently outside of the United States who intends to return, even if the return date is uncertain. A permanently overseas voter is a voter who resides outside of the United States with no present intent to return, or their return is uncertain (reference: www.MyVote.wi.gov).

February 14, 2025 by 5:00pm:

• Deadline to register in-person at the municipal clerk’s office, 101 North Main Street, Fort Atkinson during the clerk’s business hours (until 5:00pm).

• Deadline to request an Absentee Ballot for voters Indefinitely Confined. Requests must be received by the municipal clerk’s office, 101 North Main Street, Fort Atkinson, no later than 5:00 p.m.

  • Note: According to Wisconsin Statute, the Indefinitely Confined status provides an opportunity to vote for those who are too elderly, sick, or physically unable to get to the polls. Under this statute, voters decide for themselves whether they meet the requirements and can receive an absentee ballot in perpetuity if they continue to vote in every election (reference: Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty).

• Deadline to request an Absentee Ballot for Military Voters. If a voter is in the military, the absentee ballot request must be received by the municipal clerk’s office, 101 North Main Street, Fort Atkinson, no later than 5:00pm.

On Primary Election Day, February 18, 2025:

• By 5:00pm: Deadline pertaining to Hospitalized Voters. Voters who are in a hospital may request a ballot be brought to them by an appointed agent if they are hospitalized in the 7 days preceding the primary. Hospitalized voters may request an absentee ballot between February 11, 2025 and February 18, 2025 by 5:00pm.

• From 7:00am to 8:00pm: Voters may register in person at the polling place on Primary Day, Municipal Building, 101 North Main Street, Fort Atkinson.

• By 8:00pm: Deadline to Return Absentee Ballots. If you received an absentee ballot, you must return it by mail (postmarked) or delivery in person to the municipal clerk no later than 8:00pm.

Note regarding absentee ballots for any election, primary or general

All voters in Wisconsin can request that an absentee ballot be mailed to them for any reason and for any election in accordance with the scheduled deadlines for the appropriate election. Voters must be registered before they can request an absentee ballot. Voters may request their absentee ballot in writing from the city clerk’s office or via www.MyVote.wi.gov. Voters must provide a valid photo ID with absentee ballot requests. Information about the photo ID requirement can also be found at www.MyVote.wi.gov.

The Fort Atkinson Municipal Clerk is located at the Municipal Building, 101 North Main Street. Phone: 920-397-9901. Hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm.