Wisconsin is gearing up for early voting, which kicks off on October 22, bringing with it changes to the way voters can submit absentee ballots. Once considered versatile tools for voting access, ballot drop boxes are now significantly fewer, with local election officials and state administrators voicing strong opinions on their security and usage.
Back during the 2020 Presidential election, the state had upwards of 500 drop boxes across various municipalities. Fast forward to 2024, and only around 78 have been confirmed by the Wisconsin Elections Commission as currently operational. This reduction has raised eyebrows, especially since municipal clerks are not mandated to report whether they have such facilities.
Meagan Wolfe, who serves as the administrator for the Wisconsin Elections Commission, stated, "Just like any decision they make for their community, they have to weigh the considers or the needs of their local community." She highlighted the importance of vote security and the varied needs of different communities across the state.
With over 500,000 absentee ballots requested so far, there are stark contrasts with previous election years, particularly 2020 when more than 1.3 million ballots had been requested at this time. Wolfe acknowledged the anxiety some may have over the security of voting practices, encouraging voters to become involved, whether as poll workers or by monitoring ballot counting processes. She reassured voters about the integrity of the voting mechanism, urging trust where drop boxes are utilized.
"I think we should have great confidence... if voters choose and feel secure with the return option," Wolfe commented, reinforcing the idea of community trust as integral to the voting process. Notably, drop boxes are subject to guidelines set by the bipartisan election commission, emphasizing best practices to guarantee their security.
Interestingly, the use of drop boxes has become controversial within political discussions, leading to several legal disputes. The Wisconsin Supreme Court previously ruled them illegal but reversed its decision earlier this year, allowing municipal clerks to decide whether to implement drop boxes for voters.
Wolfe is currently alarmed by the reduced presence of voting drop boxes and speculates various external pressures may have impacted local municipalities' decisions. "I think it’s worth noting,” she said, “that some communities might have had additional pressures influencing their options and decisions about drop boxes."
Significantly, the topic of ballot drop boxes resonates strongly with advocates for disabled individuals. Anna Anderson, voting rights coordinator for Disability Rights Wisconsin, termed drop boxes as “a safe and secure way for people to cast a ballot.” She lamented how the dwindling number of drop boxes can act to marginalize those who find it challenging to access traditional voting scenarios, underlining the necessity for accessible voting options.
Further complicate the situation, the Wisconsin Department of Investigation has initiated inquiries surrounding some local officials, like Wausau Mayor Doug Diny, who removed drop boxes from commercial spaces, opening up questions about the motivations behind such actions. Wolfe deemed observed processes like equipment tests and election transparency as available and necessary interventions for those skeptical about the integrity of the election process.
Even amid the reduced number of absentee ballot requests, voters still have options on how to cast their votes. Wolfe stated, "it’s basically about providing safe and secure methods for voters to engage with and make choices for their elections." Voters can either take part by voting on election day or utilize early voting opportunities. Early voting provides flexibility for those who might find it difficult to make it to polls on the official day.
It's important to note key deadlines as elections approach; voters can register to vote until October 16, marking the last day to get involved before early voting begins. For anyone unclear about how to register or where to find ballot drop boxes, Wolfe urges residents to reach out to local election officials for accurate information.
Through this complex maze of rules and regulations, the state aims to keep its electoral process not only alive but also viable and efficient for all wishing to participate, regardless of the methods available—whether through drop boxes, mail-in ballots or traditional polling stations.
With the political climate as charged as ever, many await to see how these dynamics will play out as Wisconsin inches closer to its election date, highlighting the pronounced relevance of every vote cast.
