The Marx Family Shares Their Voter Registration Process

Highlighting the ease and importance of making your voice heard, the Marx family shares their story as they register to vote in Wisconsin

The November election is being called one of the most important in our lifetime. The Marx family shares their voter registration process with Civic Media’s Teri Barr and reminds you why it’s important to cast your ballot.

Emma Marx learned about the importance of voting from her parents. It’s a tradition she is carrying on with her own family.

Whether it’s education, healthcare, or the environment, our vote shapes the future of our community and the country.

Emma Marx

“You can easily register online if you have a Wisconsin driver’s license or state ID,” Emma Marx says.

The Madison woman tells Barr she has a younger brother, Jack, who just turned 18 and is excited about voting for the first time. But he doesn’t know much about the registration process. She grabs her laptop and opens it to the website, MyVote Wisconsin.

“It’s simple to use and only takes a few minutes,” Marx explains to her brother. “The deadline for online registration is 20 days before the election. But let’s register now through the website and you’ll be all set.”

She also reminds Barr, if you miss the deadline, you can still register by mail, in person at the municipal clerk’s office, or even at the polls on Election Day.

For Those Who Haven’t Been Paying Attention

Marx’s husband, Steve, joins our conversation with a question.

“How do I find out if I’m still registered?” he asks. “I haven’t voted in awhile.”

Marx shows him where to check his status on the MyVote Wisconsin website. And when he does, he finds his registration is inactive.

“Looks like I need to re-register,” Marx tells us.

“Just update your information,” his wife explains. “You can do it right now on the website, by mail, or in person. And don’t forget to take your proof of residence if you decide to do it at the polls.”

Getting the Family Involved

Marx tells Barr she is now going to get everyone involved, including her relatives. She describes it as her own mini-registration drive. 

“I want to be sure everyone is registered,” Marx says. “And I can help them on the MyVote Wisconsin website or if they’d rather fill out paper forms instead. But either way I want them to do it sooner rather than later.”

Marx learned about the importance of voting from her parents, and is carrying it on as one of her family’s traditions.

Why Voting Matters

“Why do we vote, anyway?” Her son asks.

“Voting is our way of making our voices heard,” Marx explains. “It’s how we choose leaders who represent our values and make decisions that affect our daily lives. Whether it’s education, healthcare, or the environment, our vote shapes the future of our community and the country. It’s also about accountability. By voting, we hold our elected officials responsible for their actions and ensure they work in our best interest.”

Call to Action

You can feel her excitement, and Marx wants to encourage everyone to register and cast your ballot.

“Every vote counts, and together, we can make a difference,” she says.

Go to the MyVote Wisconsin website to prepare for your part in the upcoming election, just like the Marx family.