The Wisconsin Supreme Court has announced its intention to review a previous ruling that restricted the use of absentee ballot drop boxes. The court's decision in July 2022 limited the use of drop boxes to election offices and mandated that only the voter themselves could return a ballot in person.
Following a shift in the court's composition to a liberal majority, prompted by Janet Protasiewicz's election victory in April 2023, there has been a push to revisit the ruling. Priorities USA, a progressive voter mobilization group, recently petitioned the court to reconsider the ban on drop boxes.
In response to this request, the justices have agreed to review the issue of drop boxes specifically, while declining to reconsider other aspects of the case. Conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley expressed dissent, arguing against revisiting the ruling and accusing the liberal majority of engaging in a partisan effort to alter the political landscape in Wisconsin.
If the court decides to overturn the ban on drop boxes, it could have significant implications for the upcoming 2024 presidential race, particularly in Wisconsin, a key battleground state. The use of absentee voting, including drop boxes, has been a contentious issue, with Democrats advocating for easier access to absentee ballots to boost voter turnout.
During the 2020 election, absentee voting saw a surge in popularity, with over 40% of all voters opting for mail-in ballots. While some have raised concerns about the security of drop boxes, citing allegations of cheating without evidence, proponents argue that they provide a secure and convenient option for voters.
With absentee ballot drop boxes already permitted in at least 29 other states, the Wisconsin Supreme Court's decision on this matter could have far-reaching implications for future elections in the state.
