Wausau, Wisconsin—The recent removal of an absentee ballot drop box by Wausau Mayor Doug Diny is sparking significant controversy and prompting investigations from the local district attorney. On Sunday, Diny publicly showcased the removal of the drop box, posting photos of himself carting it away from City Hall dressed in work gear, emphasizing the box's unsecured status as the reason for its removal.
According to Diny, the ballot box was not bolted down, leading him to conclude it wasn't secured, which raised concerns about the security of the votes it could potentially hold. "You would think bolting it to the ground would be an appropriate thing before we send ballots out," he stated, justifying his actions.
While the drop box was empty at the time of removal, Wausau residents and political figures have reacted strongly against Diny's decision. The Marathon County District Attorney, Theresa Wetzsteon, has stated her office is now investigating the matter. It's reported she emailed News 9 explaining how the Portage County Sheriff's Office will conduct the investigation but did not provide specifics on the timeline.
The situation escalated quickly as protests erupted outside Wausau's City Hall, with residents arguing the removal undermines the electoral process. Nancy Stencil, a local activist, argued, "I feel it undermines our elections. It undermines the voters. It's not giving people a chance to have access to voting,” voicing widespread concern about voter accessibility.
Meanwhile, Governor Tony Evers weighed in, using social media to express his disapproval of the removal. “This is wrong. Drop box voting is safe, secure, and legal,” Evers wrote. He advocated for the restoration of the drop box, citing the need for elected officials to facilitate, not hinder, voters' abilities to participate democratically.
This incident is not isolated but rather part of the larger, contentious debate over voting mechanics within Wisconsin. The implementation or removal of absentee ballot drop boxes has been a persistent source of conflict, especially since the 2022 state Supreme Court ruling, which declared many such drop boxes unlawful.
That ruling was recently overturned by the court's new liberal majority, allowing municipalities to embrace absentee ballot drop boxes once again. Now, more than 60 towns, villages and cities across nine counties are opting not to use these boxes for the upcoming presidential election.
Wausau itself has been at the center of the discussion. Many city officials and residents argue for the necessity of drop boxes, especially during high-turnout elections, to make voting more accessible to constituents. Support for the drop boxes is particularly strong among local Democrats and certain advocacy groups who argue they are beneficial to the democratic process.
Yet, Diny insists his actions are within the bounds of maintaining electoral integrity. He compared his removal of the drop box to simple maintenance, reinforcing his belief there was nothing conspiratorial about his actions. “This is no different than the maintenance guy moving it out there,” he remarked, aiming to frame the issue as one of procedural necessity rather than political intrigue.
Despite the mayor's claims, the local clerk's office had plans to secure the drop box to the ground before it could accept any ballots. According to clerk Kaitlyn Bernarde, the box was not intended for removal; rather, it was scheduled for installation and regulation. Locals are now on edge as the situation develops, uncertain of the repercussions of Diny's decision.
Events like this bring to light the uncertainty surrounding voting and equipment management within the state, rekindling heated debates initially ignited after the contentious 2020 presidential election. Voices from both sides of the aisle continue to clash over how best to uphold electoral security and voter accessibility. With the November elections looming, the fallout from Diny's decision will likely remain at the forefront of Wausau's political dialogue.
Some see the potential for this incident to become more than just about one mayor's actions. It could spark broader discussions on voter rights and access as local, state, and national elections approach. How local governance navigates this complex issue will likely influence voter turnout and engagement for the upcoming elections.
The investigations by the District Attorney and Sheriff’s Department signal the seriousness of the matter, assuring residents of accountability and transparency. Many are left wondering how this will affect the political standing of Mayor Diny moving forward, especially as the public's trust ebbs and flows with the changes to voting policies and procedures.
Wisconsin remains one of the states where the political stakes around voting rights are exceptionally high, making every action related to election integrity increasingly worthy of scrutiny.
