During the spring election, almost 600 absentee ballot drop boxes were in use across the State of Wisconsin.
However, after the ruling by the Wisconsin Supreme Court on Friday, July 8, 2022, the drop boxes will no longer be able to be used.
Justice Rebecca Bradley addressed the state statute governing ballots, writing, "The key phrase is 'in person' and it must be assigned its natural meaning....'In person' denotes 'bodily presence' and the concept of doing something personally."
Many of these drop boxes were put in place during the pandemic by the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC). Regarding that, Justice Bradley stated, "WEC's staff may have been trying to make voting as easy as possible during the pandemic, but whatever their motivations, WEC must follow Wisconsin statutes....Good intentions never override the law."
Wisconsin residents can still vote by absentee ballot, but they must place the ballot in the mail or bring the completed ballot to the clerk of court in person. An agent of the voter cannot bring the ballot to the clerk; the actual voter must do so.
(Article continues after promotional message)
SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES - SHOP PRICE COUNTY FIRST: With many face cords of maple and red oak on hand and ready, there is plenty of firewood for your needs at Daryl's Firewood. Get your firewood early so you will be all set for Winter 2022. If you need quality, dry wood for your campfire, Daryl has that, too. Visit Daryl's Firewood's website or call Daryl at 715-339-6885 or 312-968-9261 for pick-up or delivery in Price County. Follow Daryl's Firewood's Facebook page.
Governor Tony Evers was discouraged by the decision.
Justice Brian Hagedorn, a conservative who has sided with the liberal justices on a number of occasions in the past, stated, "This case is about applying the law as written, that's it...."Significant questions remain despite our decision in this case, especially as absentee voting has become increasingly common....The legislature and governor may wish to consider resolving some of the open questions these statutes present."
(This post was last modified: 07-08-2022, 01:40 PM by My Northern Wisconsin.)
However, after the ruling by the Wisconsin Supreme Court on Friday, July 8, 2022, the drop boxes will no longer be able to be used.
Justice Rebecca Bradley addressed the state statute governing ballots, writing, "The key phrase is 'in person' and it must be assigned its natural meaning....'In person' denotes 'bodily presence' and the concept of doing something personally."
Many of these drop boxes were put in place during the pandemic by the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC). Regarding that, Justice Bradley stated, "WEC's staff may have been trying to make voting as easy as possible during the pandemic, but whatever their motivations, WEC must follow Wisconsin statutes....Good intentions never override the law."
Wisconsin residents can still vote by absentee ballot, but they must place the ballot in the mail or bring the completed ballot to the clerk of court in person. An agent of the voter cannot bring the ballot to the clerk; the actual voter must do so.
(Article continues after promotional message)
SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES - SHOP PRICE COUNTY FIRST: With many face cords of maple and red oak on hand and ready, there is plenty of firewood for your needs at Daryl's Firewood. Get your firewood early so you will be all set for Winter 2022. If you need quality, dry wood for your campfire, Daryl has that, too. Visit Daryl's Firewood's website or call Daryl at 715-339-6885 or 312-968-9261 for pick-up or delivery in Price County. Follow Daryl's Firewood's Facebook page.
Governor Tony Evers was discouraged by the decision.
Justice Brian Hagedorn, a conservative who has sided with the liberal justices on a number of occasions in the past, stated, "This case is about applying the law as written, that's it...."Significant questions remain despite our decision in this case, especially as absentee voting has become increasingly common....The legislature and governor may wish to consider resolving some of the open questions these statutes present."