Wisconsin Supreme Court Allows Expanded Ballot Drop Box Use for Fall Election

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has reinstated the use of ballot drop boxes for absentee voting, reversing a 2022 decision that limited their use to local election clerks' offices and prohibited anyone other than the voter from returning a ballot in person. The 4-3 ruling reflects a shift in the court's balance, following the election of liberal Justice Janet Protasiewicz, which resulted in a liberal majority. This decision comes as the state prepares for the upcoming presidential election, a critical event in this swing state.

The case was brought by progressive advocacy groups Priorities USA and the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans, who argued that drop boxes are secure and facilitate voter participation. The majority opinion, written by Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, stated that using a drop box is akin to handing a ballot directly to an election clerk. Conservative justices dissented, accusing the liberal majority of overturning the previous ruling for political reasons and misinterpreting Wisconsin law. The ruling has significant implications for the state's election procedures and could influence the 2024 presidential race.