Wisconsin ballot drop box reinstated after mayor’s removal

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A ballot drop box outside Wausau City Hall in Wisconsin has been reinstated after Mayor Doug Diny removed it eight days ago. The drop box was reinstalled by city clerk Kaitlyn Bernarde, this time secured to the ground in line with guidance from the Wisconsin Elections Commission and the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

Mayor Diny had removed the empty drop box, documenting the removal with a photograph. However, on Monday, the Associated Press reported that the box had been returned.

Wisconsin, a key swing state in the upcoming presidential election, introduced ballot drop boxes four years ago to facilitate voting during the pandemic. While the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled in July that drop boxes are legal, it left the decision to local communities on whether to use them. Over 60 cities, towns, and villages across the state have opted not to implement drop boxes.