In a close 4-3 ruling, The Wisconsin Supreme Court decided Friday that only the voter can return a ballot in person and that absentee ballot drop boxes can only be used in election offices. Democrats believe this decision makes it harder to vote in the battleground state.
Democrats argue that elderly and disabled voters have difficulty returning their ballots without the assistance of others. But many view this type of ballot harvesting as potentially increasing fraud. And subsequently, many states have laws preventing it.
However, the court didn’t address whether anyone could collect multiple ballots for voters by putting them in the mail instead of a drop box.
This new ruling will affect ballot rules for the Aug. 9 primary and the November election.
Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson is seeking reelection and said “This decision is a big step in the right direction,” while Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers said it would make “it harder for Wisconsinites to exercise the right to vote.”
Today’s #SCOWIS decision is another in a long line of Wisconsin Republicans’ successes to make it harder for Wisconsinites to exercise their right to vote, to undermine our free, fair, and secure elections, and to threaten our democracy. Read my full statement ⬇ pic.twitter.com/CBOwLoYveP
— Governor Tony Evers (@GovEvers) July 8, 2022
The Wisconsin Supreme Court decision was praised by Dinesh D’Souza, who said the “Dominoes are starting to fall.”
The Wisconsin Supreme Court just outlawed mail-in ballot dropboxes in future elections. The Court said they were also illegal in 2020. Evidently they no longer agree that 2020 was “the most secure election in history.” Dominoes are starting to fall! #2000Mules
— Dinesh D'Souza (@DineshDSouza) July 8, 2022
The president of the law firm that brought suit, Rick Esenberg, said the ruling “provides substantial clarity on the legal status of absentee ballot drop boxes and ballot harvesting.” Also made clear that elections are run according to state law, not Elections Commission guidance.
