Wisconsin Mayor Removes Absentee Ballot Drop Box, Claims No Wrongdoing

MADISON, Wis. — The mayor of Wausau, Wisconsin, Doug Diny, who campaigned against absentee ballot drop boxes, stated on Wednesday that he did not commit any wrongdoing when he removed a drop box from outside City Hall. Diny was seen wearing work gloves and a hard hat as he used a dolly to take away the only drop box the city had recently set up in conjunction with the mailing of absentee ballots to voters.

This action led to a formal complaint from the city’s election clerk, Kaitlyn Bernarde, who reported the incident to both the Marathon County district attorney and the state elections commission. Diny defended his actions, asserting that his move was akin to maintenance staff relocating equipment, emphasizing that no malicious intent was present.

The removal of the drop box has triggered protests in Wausau, with advocates for drop boxes expressing their outrage at the mayor’s decision. This incident adds to the ongoing debate in Wisconsin regarding the use of absentee ballot drop boxes, especially in a state known for its tight elections.

As of now, over 60 municipalities across nine counties in Wisconsin have chosen to eliminate absentee ballot drop boxes for the upcoming presidential election, according to the advocacy group All Voting is Local. In contrast, major cities like Milwaukee and Madison continue to support the use of these drop boxes.

During the 2020 election, absentee drop boxes gained popularity driven by increased absentee voting due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In that year, more than 500 drop boxes across over 430 communities were employed, with Madison and Milwaukee each hosting a significant number. By the 2022 election, drop boxes were already utilized in 39 other states.

Following former President Donald Trump’s defeat in 2020, he and several Republicans claimed drop boxes could lead to electoral fraud, although no substantial evidence has been provided to support these claims. On the other hand, Democrats and various election officials argued that drop boxes are safe and secure. In a significant turn of events, the Wisconsin Supreme Court, with a conservative majority, had prohibited the use of drop boxes in 2022; however, a ruling in July 2023 reversed that decision, thereby allowing individual communities to opt for their installation.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission clarified in guidance issued to local clerks that it is their responsibility to determine where drop boxes are placed. Wausau did not utilize any drop boxes during the August state primary, reflecting a local trend given its historical voting patterns in favor of Trump.

M ayor Diny stated that he and the city clerk had not discussed the installation of the drop box prior to its placement. He claimed the decision to remove it was made after determining it was not secured adequately. Bernarde explained that the intention was to anchor the drop box and ensure it was locked, but the removal occurred before those plans could be executed. It was reported that no absentee ballots had been deposited in the box since its setup.

Diny expressed his desire for the city council’s involvement in the decision about future drop boxes, asserting that he would have deferred to their authority if they had voted in favor of the drop box’s placement originally. While he generally opposes drop boxes, he refrained from taking a definitive stance regarding the current situation and the ballots already in the hands of voters.

He emphasized the legal ramifications surrounding the management of election processes, noting that obstructing the voting process could lead to serious charges in Wisconsin. The local district attorney did not respond to requests for comments concerning the situation.

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission has provided recommendations to ensure the safety of drop boxes that are not housed within buildings, including video surveillance and securing the boxes in well-lit areas. While it was confirmed that the Wausau drop box was under video surveillance, it had not been physically anchored at the time of its removal.

Diny maintained that his actions did not constitute any violation of laws, arguing that if the drop box had been stolen, law enforcement would pursue the case. Following its removal, he asserted that the drop box was secured within City Hall until resolution of the matter.

During a recent city council meeting, resident Pamela Bannister called for Diny to apologize and restore the drop box, labeling his actions as potentially harmful and a source of electoral intimidation amid a critical election cycle.