Lawsuits over ballot drop boxes filed in 5 Wisconsin cities

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Conservatives filed lawsuits in Wisconsin’s 5 largest cities Wednesday over the usage of absentee poll drop packing containers within the 2020 election, even because the state Supreme Court docket was poised to rule on the difficulty in coming weeks.

The lawsuits have been filed by the conservative Thomas Extra Society, which has additionally introduced lawsuits in the identical cities difficult the legality of personal grant cash awarded in 2020 to assist run the election from a gaggle funded by Fb founder Mark Zuckerberg and his spouse. A decide final week voiced skepticism concerning the lawsuit filed towards Madison, citing earlier courtroom rulings that decided the funding was authorized.

The newest lawsuits goal the usage of absentee poll drop packing containers. Lots of of drop packing containers have been used statewide within the 2020 election, however the lawsuit solely challenges their use in Milwaukee, Madison, Racine, Kenosha and Inexperienced Bay — all cities gained by President Joe Biden.

State regulation is silent on drop packing containers, however the bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Fee had advised native election officers they may very well be positioned at a number of areas.

A Waukesha County Circuit Court docket decide dominated in January that state regulation prohibits drop packing containers exterior of a clerk’s workplace. The Wisconsin Supreme Court docket in February barred the usage of drop packing containers exterior election clerk places of work for the April spring election, however has not but issued a ruling on whether or not they can be utilized going ahead.