Wisconsin’s liberal-controlled Supreme Court reversed a previous decision and restored the use of absentee ballot drop boxes in the state ahead of upcoming elections. The 4-3 decision allows election clerks to use the secure drop boxes during the partisan primaries and presidential election later in the year. The ruling overturned a previous decision that deemed drop boxes illegal in Wisconsin.
Democrats had challenged the ban on drop boxes, arguing they were essential for voters who couldn’t vote in person due to various reasons. Drop boxes had been used in Wisconsin since the 1980s and 1990s but became more prominent during the pandemic. Despite criticism from Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, drop boxes were widely used in Wisconsin in the 2020 election.
The decision means cities with remaining drop boxes will likely be able to open them back up quickly. The previous conservative majority on the court had argued that state law only permitted drop boxes in election clerk offices and that the Republican-controlled state legislature should dictate the policy around them.
The new liberal majority on the court showed signs that it planned to reverse past rulings and allow the use of drop boxes. The decision is expected to impact voter participation and make voting more accessible for residents in Wisconsin.
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