MADISON, WI (WTAQ) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled that ballot drop boxes are only allowed in election offices in the state of Wisconsin, dealing a defeat to state Democrats. It was a split 4-3 ruling which sets the ballot rules for the August 9th Primary.
Democrats say it disenfranchises voters.
“I think this is disadvantageous to people with disabilities, people who, at the last moment of voting, won’t be able to return their ballot because they work third shift,” said Terry Lee, the Chairman of the Brown County Democratic Party. “Republicans brought the lawsuit on this because they knew that the majority of Democrats tend to do more absentee voting and voting by mail.”
Republicans say it reinforces election integrity.
“Voters still have every opportunity to cast their ballots, and we now have it in a way where we clearly understand the chain of custody where their vote is,” said Jim Fitzgerald, Chairman of the Brown County Republican Party. “This is a tremendous win. Certainly a step in the right direction.”
The court did not address the question of whether anyone other than the voter can return his or her own ballot by mail.
