Wisconsin Supreme Court Deems Voter Drop Boxes Illegal Under State Constitution

Friday, Wisconsin’s conservative-led Supreme Court ruled that absentee voter drop boxes are illegal under the state’s constitution in a 4-3 vote.

This comes as a blow to Democrats ahead of the midterm elections, as drop boxes will no longer be allowed to be used to collect ballots.

The conservative majority wrote, “Wisconsin’s election statutes require that to return an absentee ballot in person, voters must personally deliver their ballot to the clerk or the clerk’s authorized representative.”

This means Wisconsin voters will be required to mail in or return completed absentee ballots in-person to designated officials.

In 2020 Joe Biden beat Donald Trump in Wisconsin by a little less than 21,000 votes.

This ruling by the Wisconsin Supreme Court is a win for conservatives, who have moved to tighten election security post-2020.

The chair of the Democratic Party in Wisconsin is unhappy with the ruling by the Wisconsin Supreme Court. He shared his thoughts on Twitter along with an official statement from Wisconsin Democrats:

“WISCONSIN: The far-right 4-3 majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled to ban absentee ballot drop boxes—disproportionately harming voters with disabilities, in rural communities, seniors, young people and people of color. Our full statement here:”

The statement reads, “The Wisconsin Supreme Court today ruled to limit access to the ballot box, and potentially disenfranchised thousands of voters in our state. In response, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler issued the following statement:

“No matter their politics, those who believe in democracy strive to ensure that every eligible voter can cast a ballot. With its ruling today, the Wisconsin Supreme Court is making it more difficult to vote. It’s a slap in the face of democracy itself. We know this decision will impact people with disabilities, seniors, people living in rural communities, people with limited means, few transport options, and inflexible work schedules, who are disproportionately young people and people of color.”

“The court’s ruling makes it even more clear that our freedom to vote is under attack. Today’s decision means Wilsocnsin Democrats will redouble our efforts to make sure every eligible voter is able to cast a ballot. We preserved under these misguided restrictions in spring 2022 and we’re going to win again in November.”

WISCONSIN: The far-right 4-3 majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled to ban absentee ballot drop boxes—disproportionately harming voters with disabilities, in rural communities, seniors, young people and people of color. Our full statement here: pic.twitter.com/FHHKXNCliH

— Ben Wikler (@benwikler) July 8, 2022

Democrats are unhappy with the decision from the Wisconsin Supreme Court. It remains to be seen what they will do in response to this decision.