In a pivotal decision, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has overturned a previous ruling and reinstated the use of secure ballot drop boxes for the upcoming 2024 US elections.
This reversal comes after a contentious 2022 decision by the court’s former conservative majority, which had banned the use of drop boxes for returning absentee ballots.
The latest ruling, issued on Friday in a narrow 4-3 vote, responded to arguments that the state law does not explicitly prohibit the use of secure drop boxes for absentee ballots.
The majority opinion emphasized that drop boxes, securely managed and supervised by municipal clerks, constitute a valid method of delivering absentee ballots as per state law.
Governor Tony Evers, who advocated for the reinstatement of drop boxes, hailed the decision as a victory for election integrity and accessibility.
He underscored that drop boxes provide a secure option for voters to return their absentee ballots, ensuring every eligible citizen can participate in the electoral process without impediment.
However, dissenting conservative justices, including Justice Rebecca Bradley, criticized the majority decision as an attempt to sway future elections.
Bradley likened the ruling to recent controversial decisions that she argued favored liberal political agendas.
In response to the reinstatement, reactions among Wisconsin’s political leaders have been mixed.
State senator Chris Larson praised the decision for eliminating barriers to voting rights, while some Republican legislators expressed concerns about the ruling’s implications for election oversight.
This ruling marks a significant development in Wisconsin’s electoral landscape, setting the stage for the use of ballot drop boxes as a recognized method for absentee ballot returns in the upcoming elections.
The decision follows a legal battle initiated by appellants challenging the 2022 ruling, arguing that drop boxes enhance voter accessibility and comply with state election laws.
The reinstatement clears the way for municipalities to prepare for the secure deployment of ballot drop boxes ahead of the 2024 elections.
