Wisconsin Supreme Court overturns ruling that barred most ballot drop boxes
The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Friday ruled 4-3 to reinstate the use of most ballot drop boxes across the crucial battleground state, overturning a decision it made less than two years ago that banned the use of most of those boxes.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Friday ruled 4-3 to reinstate the use of most ballot drop boxes across the crucial battleground state, overturning a decision it made less than two years ago that banned the use of most of those boxes.
"Our decision today does not force or require that any municipal clerks use drop boxes," the decision Friday read. "It merely acknowledges ... that clerks may lawfully utilize secure drop boxes in an exercise of their statutorily-conferred discretion."
While the ruling had largely been expected after the court’s liberal justices signaled their positioning on the issue during oral arguments in the case in May, it is likely to have large ramifications on the 2024 presidential election in the crucial battleground because it effectively permits the broad use of ballot drop boxes.
In 2020, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Democrats widely encouraged their voters to use the drop boxes and are expected to do so again this fall.
On the other side, many Republicans have continued to falsely claim that their use is tied to widespread voter fraud. But, in anticipation of the ruling, some Republicans in the state are now encouraging their voters to use ballot drop boxes this fall.
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