Youth Civic Guide
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So you want to get civically engaged? You're in the right place! Civic engagement doesn’t mean you need to be an expert on politics or have everything figured out. It starts with paying attention, asking questions, and showing up when it matters. One of the simplest and most powerful ways to do that is voting. Whether this is your first election or you just want to understand how it all works, we’ve got you covered.
Register to Vote
In Wisconsin, you can preregister to vote at 17 as long as you’ll be 18 by the next election. That means you can get registered ahead of time and be ready to vote the moment you’re eligible. To vote in Wisconsin, you must: Be a U.S. citizen, be 18 years old by Election Day, have lived at your current address for at least 28 days before the election.
If you miss preregistering, don’t panic. Wisconsin allows same-day voter registration, so you can register and vote at the same time on Election Day. The easiest way to check your status or register is at MyVote.WI.gov. It’s the official state website and has everything you need in one place.
What Elections Are Coming Up in 2026?
February 17, 2026
This is a Spring Primary, which helps narrow down candidates for certain local and judicial races if there are a lot of people running.
April 7, 2026
The Spring Election is when Wisconsin voters choose people for nonpartisan offices. Depending on where you live, this can include local leaders, school board members, and judges. These races often have a direct impact on your day-to-day life.
August 11, 2026
This is the Partisan Primary. If you’re voting in this election, you’ll help decide which candidates move on to the November general election.
November 3, 2026
This is the General Election — the big one. Voters across Wisconsin will weigh in on major statewide offices, representation in Congress, and seats in the State Legislature.
Polling places are open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm on Election Day. You can find your polling location at myvote.wi.gov. That's also where you can request an absentee ballot to be mailed to your home if you prefer to vote by mail.
What Will Be on My Ballot?
That depends on where you live, but here’s a general idea of what you might see in 2026:
In the spring elections, ballots usually include local and judicial races — things like school board members, city or village officials, and judges. These elections don’t always get a lot of attention, but they shape schools, local services, and courts in a real way. All of these races are nonpartisan so you will NOT see a "Republican" or "Democrat" label next to any of the candidates.
In the fall elections, voters will see races for Governor, statewide offices, members of Congress, and seats in the Wisconsin State Legislature.
Before every election, you can look up your exact ballot at MyVote.WI.gov so there are no surprises when you show up. Blue Sky Waukesha will be posting our voter guides on social media so make you follow us (links below) and check back on this website when it's time to vote!
Civic Engagement Doesn’t Stop at Voting
Voting is powerful, but it’s just one way to show up. At Blue Sky, we believe civic engagement should feel accessible, welcoming, and doable, especially for young people. You don’t need to be an expert, have a title, or commit forever. You can start small and still make a real impact.
One easy way to get involved is postcard writing. Our volunteers handwrite postcards to neighbors, encouraging them to vote in upcoming elections. It’s low-pressure, flexible, and a great way to contribute even if you’re new to civic work. You can come to a postcard event or write a few at home. Sign up below.
We also host regular Blue Sky meetings, which are open to anyone who’s curious and wants to learn more. These gatherings are a chance to meet other engaged people, hear what’s happening locally, and figure out where you might want to plug in. No pressure to speak, no pressure to commit, just show up :) Follow @blueskywaukesha on social media to know about our events.