Your ballot, explained.

Heard this? Here are the facts

Each claim gets a plain status: True, False, or Promised, not law.

• Heard this? "You need a photo ID to vote in Wisconsin." True
  The facts: Most voters must show an acceptable photo ID to get a ballot, at the polls or when voting early at the clerk's office. Mail voters send a copy of their ID (some, like military and overseas voters, are exempt). If you don't have a Wisconsin driver license, you can get a free state ID card for voting from the DMV. source: elections.wi.gov
• Heard this? "It's too late to register for Nov. 3." False
  The facts: Online and mail registration ended Oct. 14, but you can still register in person at your municipal clerk's office until 5 p.m. Oct. 30, or at your polling place on Election Day. Bring a proof of residence document (for example, a utility bill, bank statement or lease with your current address). source: myvote.wi.gov
• Heard this? "A mailed absentee ballot counts if it's postmarked by Election Day." False
  The facts: Your absentee ballot must reach your municipal clerk (or your polling place) by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3. A postmark is not enough. The last day to ask for a mailed ballot is Oct. 29 at 5 p.m. source: myvote.wi.gov
• Heard this? "Anyone with a felony conviction can never vote again in Wisconsin." False
  The facts: You can't vote while serving any part of a felony sentence, including prison, probation or extended supervision. Once you complete the whole sentence (or are pardoned), you can register and vote again. A misdemeanor does not take away your right to vote. source: elections.wi.gov
• Heard this? "You need a reason (an excuse) to vote absentee in Wisconsin." False
  The facts: Any registered voter can ask for an absentee ballot and vote early in person at the clerk's office from Oct. 20 (some places through Nov. 1). You must provide photo ID when you ask for an absentee ballot. source: myvote.wi.gov
• Heard this? "You'll get $5,000 after the election." Promised, not law
  The facts: On Sept. 9, 2026 the President promised every adult $5,000, a "Trump Dividend", if Republicans keep both the House and the Senate. It is a campaign promise that depends on the election results; no law or payment exists today. Congress would have to pass it, and AP estimates it would cost over $1 trillion. Is this legal? Experts disagree. Richard Painter, chief White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush, wrote: "No, Mr. President you can't offer voters $5000 if the Republicans win the House and Senate." Former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirschner called it a completed crime under the federal vote-buying law (18 U.S.C. 597). Election attorney John Day told AP it is legal because it would go to everyone regardless of how they vote: "This is a campaign promise." Rice University political scientist Mark Jones: "It's unsavory, but it's legal." Your ballot is secret, so no payment can depend on how you personally vote. source: kold.com source: internazionale.it source: newsweek.com source: ibtimes.co.uk source: katv.com
• Heard this? "Someone can legally pay you to vote, or to vote a certain way." False
  The facts: No. Paying or offering to pay anyone to vote or to register to vote in a federal election is a federal crime (52 U.S.C. 10307(c)). Accepting the payment is a crime too. source: law.cornell.edu
• Heard this? "The $1 million-a-day giveaway in 2024 paid people for voting." False
  The facts: That contest was open only to registered voters in seven swing states, and entering meant signing a petition, not voting. The group's lawyer told a Pennsylvania court the winners were "not chosen by chance". The judge let it continue. source: aljazeera.com

Checked against official sources, court records and news reports. We update this as new claims go around.