Wisconsin DA probing mayor's decision to remove absentee ballot drop box

A mayor in Wisconsin is under investigation by a district attorney for removing an official voting drop box.

Recently, Mayor Doug Diny of Wausau drew attention by removing a voter drop box from outside City Hall.

On Sunday, he shared a photo on social media of him carrying away the metal ballot receptacle while wearing a hard hat and gloves.

Marathon County District Attorney Theresa Wetzsteon is now investigating Diny, as reported by County Clerk Kaitlyn Bernarde.

According to local reports, the voting drop box was not in use and had no votes when it was removed, with an empty box.

"This is the same as the maintenance worker relocating it," Diny stated on Wednesday. "As a staff member, I assure you there's no malicious intent. I'm hoping for a positive outcome."

Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, deemed the removal of drop boxes as incorrect and demanded their reinstatement outside City Hall.

"Evers stated on social media that drop box voting is secure, legal, and safe. As elected officials, we should strive to simplify the voting process for all eligible Wisconsinites, promoting democracy."

In July 2022, the state Supreme Court ruled that absentee drop boxes, like those used in the 2020 presidential election, are not legal under state laws.

In July 2024, the Wisconsin Elections Commission's guidance on the use of mail-in ballots was deemed unlawful by the court, but this ruling was later overturned by the court's new liberal majority.

The latest example in swing state Wisconsin of the fight over whether communities will allow absentee ballot drop boxes is a move that led to a protest in the city Tuesday night and anger among advocates.

In November, over 60 towns, villages, and cities in nine counties have decided not to use absentee ballot drop boxes for the presidential election, according to a tally by All Voting is Local. Despite this, drop boxes are being widely used in heavily Democrat cities such as Milwaukee and Madison. Wisconsin has a total of 72 counties.

This report was contributed to by Danielle Wallace of Planet Chronicle Digital and the Associated Press.