{"id":2346373,"date":"2024-09-26T15:55:02","date_gmt":"2024-09-26T19:55:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wisconsin-mayor-removes-ballot-drop-box-from-outside-city-hall-nothing-nefarious-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-09-26T15:55:45","modified_gmt":"2024-09-26T19:55:45","slug":"wisconsin-mayor-removes-ballot-drop-box-from-outside-city-hall-nothing-nefarious-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wisconsin-mayor-removes-ballot-drop-box-from-outside-city-hall-nothing-nefarious-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Wisconsin mayor removes ballot drop box from outside City Hall: \u2018Nothing nefarious\u2019 &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">30<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwisconsin-mayor-removes-ballot-drop-box-from-outside-city-hall-nothing-nefarious-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2346373&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The mayor of\u200c Wausau, Wisconsin, Doug Diny, \u2064has removed the city\u2019s only <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republican-state-lawmakers-to-introduce-new-bills-to-limit-vote-by-mail-require-photo-id-to-vote-clean-dirty-voter-rolls\/\" title=\"Republican State Lawmakers to Introduce New Bills to Limit Vote-by-Mail, Require Photo ID to Vote, Clean Dirty Voter Rolls\">ballot drop box<\/a> from outside City Hall, an action that has sparked \u200danger among some residents. Diny, who opposed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-republicans-urge-dismissal-of-doj-lawsuit-against-georgia-election-law\/\" title=\"House Republicans Urge Dismissal Of DOJ Lawsuit Against Georgia Election Law\">absentee <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-zuckerberg-bans-president-trump-from-using-facebook-indefinitely\/\" title=\"BREAKING: Zuckerberg Bans President Trump from Using Facebook \u201cIndefinitely\u201d\">ballot drop boxes<\/a><\/a> during his campaign, claimed that his actions were routine maintenance and not intended to disrupt the\u200d electoral process. He stated, &#8220;There\u2019s nothing \u200cnefarious going on here,&#8221; and emphasized the importance\u2064 of proper\u200c citizen input\u2063 regarding \u2064ballot drop boxes.<\/p>\n<p>At the time \u2063of\u2064 its removal, the drop box was locked and non-functional, \u2062with no ballots\u2062 inside. Diny indicated that while he\u200b generally opposes the use of drop boxes, he was not taking a \u200ddefinitive stance on their placement\u200d since ballots had \u200calready been distributed. The situation \u2063is particularly \u2064contentious in \u2064Wisconsin, where\u200d the use \u2062of ballot\u2064 drop boxes has been a divisive issue following allegations of election fraud associated with their increased usage.<\/p>\n<p>The state\u2019s election policies have evolved,\u2063 with local municipalities now allowed to\u2064 decide whether to\u200b implement\u200c ballot drop boxes after previous rulings\u200b by the Wisconsin\u2063 Supreme Court. While Democratic strongholds have embraced drop boxes,\u200c Republican areas have largely opted out.\u200d The mayor&#8217;s actions raise concerns about the accessibility of voting and the potential implications\u200d for upcoming elections.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Wisconsin mayor removes ballot drop box from outside City Hall: &lsquo;Nothing nefarious&rsquo;<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1768660\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The mayor of the central <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/wisconsin\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Wisconsin<\/a> city of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/2980516\/why-all-eyes-are-on-wisconsin-2024-election\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Wausau<\/a> hauled away a ballot drop box, an action that has angered some local residents.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Mayor Doug Diny posed for a photo sporting a hard hat and work gloves as he wheeled away the city&rsquo;s only ballot drop box outside City Hall. When Diny ran for mayor in April, he ran against <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/wisconsin-supreme-court-ballot-drop-boxes-2024-9d3973ea65b78436df478e7d8ae28cce\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>absentee ballot drop boxes<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">In this photo provided by Wausau Mayor Doug Diny, Diny uses a dolly to remove the city&rsquo;s lone drop box from in front of City Hall in Wausau, Wisconsin, on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (Doug Diny via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>&ldquo;This is no different than the maintenance guy moving it out there,&rdquo; Diny said Wednesday. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m a member of staff. There&rsquo;s nothing nefarious going on here. I&rsquo;m hoping for a good result.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Diny said that while he is generally opposed to drop boxes, he&rsquo;s not taking a position on whether it should be in place because ballots have already been administered.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;As it stands now, I don&rsquo;t have a dog in the hunt,&rdquo; Diny said. &ldquo;I want it to be done properly and with the proper input and consent of citizens.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>In Wisconsin, it is a felony to impede or prevent &ldquo;the free exercise of the franchise at an election.&rdquo; The nonpartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission urged clerks to contact law enforcement if anyone attempted to tamper with a drop box or prevent its use.<\/p>\n<p>According to the Wausau city clerk, the ballot drop box did not have &ldquo;ballots, payments, or other documents inside&rdquo; at the time of its removal. Officials said, however, that it was about to be made available to voters.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;After consulting with numerous City officials and reviewing best practices, the City Clerk started the process of providing an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mich-gop-seeks-to-bypass-democrat-gov-whitmer-veto-with-election-integrity-package\/\" title=\"Mich. GOP seeks to bypass Democrat Gov. Whitmer veto with election integrity package\">absentee ballot drop box<\/a>, located in front of City Hall. The box was not yet functional: it was locked and clearly labeled, &lsquo;Kiosk Closed.&rsquo; Since the drop box was closed and locked, no ballots could be accepted,&rdquo; said a statement from the city clerk.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Ballot drop boxes have been a hot-button matter for Wisconsin Republicans since the 2020 electio<span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">n when former President&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Donald Trump<\/a>&nbsp;repeatedly and falsely claimed they increased election fraud and led to his loss in the state. In 2022, the Wisconsin Supr<\/span>eme Court struck down their use.<\/p>\n<p>That decision was overturned earlier this year, with the court&rsquo;s newly liberal majority allowing<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3002647\/wisconsin-supreme-court-ballot-drop-box-case-crucial-2024\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title> local municipalities to decide<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Now, drop boxes are heavily embraced throughout the state&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3109389\/milwaukees-mayor-wisconsin-voters-their-vote-counts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Democratic strongholds<\/a> in Dane and Milwaukee counties, but in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3124519\/republican-support-dwindles-in-wisconsins-historic-gop-strongholds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Republican-heavy municipalities<\/a>, they are not used. Six Republican-led municipalities in Milwaukee County opted not to use ballot drop boxes, as well as two municipalities in Waukesha County and three in Dodge County, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2024\/09\/25\/politics\/wisconsin-wausau-mayor-doug-diny-moved-drop-box\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>CNN<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The Wisconsin Supreme Court decision said only city clerks have the right to choose whether to use a drop box. The mayor does not have this authority. The Wausau Police Department does not plan to investigate the incident further.<\/p>\n<p>Diny has maintained he did nothing wrong by moving the box.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The box was sitting unsecured on the sidewalk in front of city hall. I moved it to a safe location inside the building,&rdquo; Diny said in a statement to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wsaw.com\/2024\/09\/25\/wausau-city-clerk-refers-ballot-drop-box-removal-da-wec\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>NewsChannel 7<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, a rally was held outside City Hall on Tuesday evening, pushing Diny to answer questions.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The city of Wausau is just trying to confuse the voters, make it harder for people to vote, and undermine our elections,&rdquo; said Wausau activist Nancy Stencil.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Another Wausau resident, Pamela Bannister, called for Diny to apologize and return the drop box.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This is the kind of action that&rsquo;s designed to stir the pot,&rdquo; Bannister said. &ldquo;It does not tamp down the rhetoric that we&rsquo;re all facing in this election cycle. It accomplishes nothing positive and amounts to, in my estimation, voting interference and intimidation.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1768660\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1768660\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wausau mayor removes ballot drop box, sparking local anger<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2910,"featured_media":2346374,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/2024-arizona-elections.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[41795,35255,6571,4602,4124],"class_list":["post-2346373","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-ballot-drop-box","tag-city-hall","tag-elections","tag-mayor","tag-wisconsin"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/2024-arizona-elections.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2346373","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2910"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2346373"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2346373\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2346374"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2346373"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2346373"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2346373"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}