MADISON, Wis. (Civic Media) – The Wisconsin Supreme Court has reversed course and has now declared the use of unmanned absentee ballot drop boxes legal in time for the fall election.
The 4-3 ruling was published Friday by the state’s high court.
“We conclude that Wis. Stat. § 6.87(4)(b)1. allows the use of ballot drop boxes,” Justice Ann Walsh Bradley wrote in the court’s majority opinion. “For the reasons set forth below, we determine that the court’s contrary conclusion in Teigen was unsound in principle, and as a consequence, we overrule it.”
In several parts of the majority opinion, there were a number of references to various briefs and lawsuits filed on the issue. A significant portion of the majority opinion dealt with specific language on where ballots needed to be returned to, such as the municipal clerk versus the municipal clerk’s office. But those ruling in the majority opinion also believed that if the state legislature wanted to ban ballot drop boxes, they could pass a law.
“Had the legislature wanted to impose a rule of statutory construction on the absentee balloting statutes, it certainly knows how to do that,” Justice Walsh Bradley wrote.
State Sen. Chris Larson called the decision “a huge win for democracy.”
“We need to erase barriers to voting, not create arbitrary limitations out of thin air,” Larson wrote on X.
In dissent, the court’s conservative justices cited the 2022 decision limiting the use of the drop boxes, and wrote that the liberal majority was picking sides.
“The majority again forsakes the rule of law in an attempt to advance its political agenda,” Justice Rebecca Bradley wrote in dissent.
“This case marks the “death of statutory stare decisis” in Wisconsin. The fact that the majority disputes the upshot of its decision only serves to prove it.”
Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany said the decision opens up the state to election fraud.
“The liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court… [is] effectively legalizing anonymous ballot box stuffing,” Tiffany wrote on X. “This decision not only opens the door to potentially fraudulent activities but also undermines the expressed desires of Wisconsin voters.”
You can read the full state Supreme Court opinion below.
Whooping Cough Cases Increase in Wood and Portage Counties
9/17/2024 | Chuck Gennaro
Whooping Cough Cases Increase in Wood and Portage Counties
Actress Kate Walsh Advocates for Women’s Rights while Campaigning for Kamala Harris in Wisconsin
9/17/2024 | Teri Barr
The “Grey’s Anatomy” star talks about her activism, love for America, and support of women’s reproductive rights on The Maggie Daun Show.
Half of Wisconsin school districts go to referendum amid debate over state aid for public education
9/17/2024 | Hallie Claflin / Wisconsin Watch
At least 192 school districts — of the state’s 421 — will have posed 241 referendum questions to residents of their districts this year.
2024 Wisconsin State Legislature Voter Guide: The State Senate
9/17/2024
The Recombobulation Area and Civic Media are previewing every race on the ballot in the Wisconsin State Legislature. Here, we’re breaking down the State Senate.
Pageant Pivot: Miss Wisconsin Leaves Oshkosh for New Berlin Venue
9/17/2024 | Stuart J. Wattles
The venue changes for the first time in over 60 years.