The City of Kenosha has announced that the Spring Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Voters have several options for casting their ballots, including in-person absentee voting, absentee voting by mail, and voting at polling locations on Election Day.
In-person absentee voting will take place in Room 104 of City Hall at 625 52nd Street. The city has extended hours on Wednesday, February 4 and Wednesday, February 11 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., while other days run from 8:00 a.m. to either 4:30 p.m. or 5:00 p.m.
Voters who prefer to vote absentee by mail must submit a request that includes their name, address, mailing address if different, signature, and a copy of photo ID if required. Requests can be mailed to the City Clerk at the City Hall address, emailed to [email protected], faxed to 262-653-4023, or submitted online at MyVote.WI.Gov. The deadline for most voters to request an absentee ballot by mail is Thursday, February 12 at 5:00 p.m., but military and indefinitely confined voters have until Friday, February 13 at 5:00 p.m.
Certain groups are not required to include a copy of photo ID with their absentee ballot request. According to the City Clerk’s Office: “If you have difficulty traveling to the polling place due to age, physical illness, infirmity or disability or live in a nursing home or care facility, you do NOT need to provide a copy of your photo ID to receive an absentee ballot.” Military members and permanent overseas residents are also exempt from this requirement.
Absentee ballots can be returned in person inside the Kenosha Municipal Building during regular business hours and during extended hours for in-person absentee voting. Wisconsin law requires that voted ballots be returned by the voter unless otherwise authorized by law. Ballots may also be returned by mail but must arrive at the City Clerk’s Office by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. The post office recommends mailing ballots no later than seven days before Election Day.
The city emphasizes that ballots should not be dropped off at polling places or placed in utility payment boxes on Election Day as drop boxes are not being used for this election cycle.
Polling locations will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day itself. Voters can find their polling location through MyVote.WI.Gov or contact the City Clerk’s Office for assistance.
Acceptable forms of photo identification include a Wisconsin driver license or ID card (including receipts), U.S passport, U.S Uniformed Service Military ID card, and unexpired U.S Veterans Photo ID card among others.
Hospitalized voters within seven days before the election may designate an agent to deliver their ballot; requests must be made by 5:00 p.m. on Election Day.
The city notes some residents may receive third-party mailings encouraging them to request an absentee ballot from organizations such as The Voter Participation Center (VPC) or The Center For Voter Information (CVI). These mailings have caused confusion among some voters who believe they contain actual ballots they did not request or who have already applied for an absentee ballot.
“Anyone receiving election related mailings is encouraged to look for the official election mail logo (shown below) on any mailing received, which indicates it was sent by an election official,” according to information provided by city officials.
All voters with internet access are encouraged to check MyVote.WI.Gov for tracking requests and submitting new ones if needed. Further assistance is available through the City Clerk’s Office via phone at 262-653-4020 or email [email protected].
