Outrage as Wisconsin Supreme Court reinstates use of absentee ballot drop boxes, giving Biden potential boost

MADISON, WISCONSIN: On Friday, July 5, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled in favor of allowing ballot drop boxes, a decision that could significantly influence voting patterns and potentially benefit President Joe Biden in this critical swing state.

The reinstatement of ballot drop boxes is a contentious issue in Wisconsin. Democrats generally support measures that facilitate early voting and expand access, including the use of ballot drop boxes. They argue that these measures promote voter participation and ensure that more citizens can exercise their right to vote.

On the other hand, Republicans have expressed concerns about the security of ballot drop boxes, fearing potential "ballot-stuffing" and advocating for stricter voter security measures.

In the 2020 presidential election, Biden narrowly won Wisconsin by just over 20,000 votes. There were widespread social media claims that Biden's campaign had "found" winning votes from mail-in ballots.

However, Reuters fact-checked these claims and confirmed that both Biden and former president Donald Trump received mail-in ballots in large numbers from major counties, with no evidence of widespread voter fraud.

The court’s decision and its impact on the 2024 election

The Wisconsin Supreme Court’s 4-3 ruling on Friday overturned a 2022 decision that had effectively banned ballot drop boxes by restricting their use to inside local election clerks' offices.

The majority opinion, endorsed by the court's four liberal justices, permits the use of ballot drop boxes for the upcoming 2024 presidential election. The ruling asserts that "clerks may lawfully utilize secure drop boxes in an exercise of their statutorily-conferred discretion," allowing drop boxes to be placed in various locations.

The court stressed that "a drop box is set up, maintained, secured, and emptied by the municipal clerk," noting that "this is the case even if the drop box is in a location other than the municipal clerk's office." That said, this decision is expected to boost voter turnout by providing more convenient locations for submitting absentee ballots before Election Day.

The timing of this decision is significant, as it comes just months before Biden and former president and presumptive Republican nominee Trump are set to face off in the 2024 election. The expanded use of ballot drop boxes could increase voter participation, particularly in areas that favor Democrats.

Wisconsin Republican Party Chair Brian Schimming criticized the ruling, describing it as a "setback for both the separation of powers and public trust in our elections."

He added that "the left-wing justices on the Supreme Court of Wisconsin have obeyed the demands of their out-of-state donors at the expense of Wisconsin. This latest attempt by leftist justices to placate their far-left backers will not go unanswered by voters." 

The court’s recent shift from a conservative to a liberal majority played a crucial role in this ruling. The challenge to the 2022 decision was brought by the progressive group Priorities USA.

Democrats welcome Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling

Danielle Butterfield, the executive director of Priorities USA, hailed the decision as a "major win for Wisconsin voters," arguing that it restores the use of drop boxes, making voting easier and more secure.

"Thousands of Wisconsin voters cast their ballots in the 2020 elections using hundreds of drop boxes, but in 2022, the Wisconsin Supreme Court decided that drop boxes violated Wisconsin election law and could not be used," Butterfield told Newsweek in a statement.

Butterfield added, "This decision is a major win for Wisconsin voters to restore the use of drop boxes, making voting easier and more secure. Now more than ever we need to fight to ensure that every American has the right to cast a ballot without unnecessary barriers, and we look forward to guaranteeing that every American is empowered to participate in our democracy." 

Dane County Clerk Scott McDonell, responsible for elections in the state's capital county, also welcomed the ruling. He noted that drop boxes had been used in Dane County for decades but were halted by the 2022 ruling.

McDonell highlighted that early voting played a "pretty substantial [role] in 2020," noting that "half of our ballots were being voted absentee, either mailed back, early voting, or in the drop box."

Democratic officials in Wisconsin are already planning to place ballot drop boxes throughout their districts, which could further increase Democratic turnout and boost Biden's chances of winning the state.

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, for instance, has announced plans to make ballot boxes available ahead of the national election and likely before the state's primary.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court's decision coincided with President Biden's arrival in Madison for a campaign rally. The state remains a key battleground, with national poll aggregator FiveThirtyEight showing Trump leading Biden by 1.9 points for Wisconsin's 10 Electoral College votes.

Outrage as Wisconsin Supreme Court reinstates use of absentee ballot drop boxes

The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling to reinstate the use of absentee ballot drop boxes is drawing flak on social media, with some users voicing concerns about potential cheating.

"Cheating 101 - here we go," one social media user wrote on X.

"And that’s exactly why Wisconsin is doing this. To cheat," another alleged.

"It’s a desperation move," read a comment.

"Take it to the Supreme Court, this cannot be a State issue as it affects all Americans," someone else insisted.

"I guess we will need to have full time monitors at these drop boxes to ensure there is no funny business. That's how important this election is," another offered.

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