The Mayor of Wausau, Doug Diny, has sparked controversy by removing the city’s only absentee ballot drop box outside City Hall. Diny, who ran for office on his opposition to drop boxes, defended his actions by stating that he saw it as a routine maintenance task and nothing more. The move has stirred anger among drop box advocates and led to protests in the city.

The issue of absentee ballot drop boxes has become a contentious one in Wisconsin, with some Republican-run municipalities choosing not to use them for the upcoming presidential election, while Democratic-leaning cities like Milwaukee and Madison have embraced them. The use of drop boxes became widespread in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 500 drop boxes set up in more than 430 communities during the election that year.

Former President Donald Trump and Republicans have raised concerns about the security of drop boxes, alleging that they could facilitate cheating without providing evidence. Democrats, election officials, and some Republicans argue that drop boxes are secure. The Wisconsin Supreme Court initially banned the use of drop boxes in 2022 but later reversed its decision, allowing communities to decide whether to install them.

Mayor Doug Diny’s decision to remove the drop box in Wausau, a city with a population of about 40,000, has generated criticism and calls for him to apologize and return the drop box. While Diny expressed opposition to drop boxes, he clarified that he was not taking a specific stance on whether the drop box should be in place for the current ballots in voters’ hands. He emphasized the importance of proper procedures and citizen consent in determining the fate of the drop box.

Despite facing backlash for his actions, Diny maintained that he had done nothing wrong. The city attorney, Anne Jacobson, did not comment on the matter. The incident has highlighted the ongoing debate over the use of absentee ballot drop boxes and the need to ensure the security and integrity of the voting process.