Voting Rights Organizations to Call for Investigation After Attacks on Drop Boxes Culminate in Forcible Removal of Drop Box in Wausau by Mayor

Voting rights advocates demand an end to the voter suppression attempts following reports of elected officials abusing their power to limit drop box access across the state

MADISON, WI – Following news out of Wausau of Mayor Doug Diny’s unwarranted removal of the only drop box in the city, voters in Wisconsin will join together in calling for an investigation into his actions and call attention to attempts to suppress voters across the state. These voter suppression tactics to limit drop boxes are rooted in the Big Lie and are in opposition to Wisconsin values. For years, voters across Wisconsin safely and securely cast their ballots via drop boxes across the state. No matter where we work or what part of the state we call home, working Wisconsinites should be able to vote easily and safely. Making it harder to vote is out of touch with Wisconsin values.

WHO: Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, All Voting is Local Action, Souls to the Polls, and community activists

WHAT: A press conference to underscore that attempts to remove or limit access to ballot drop boxes unfairly limit Wisconsin voters’ ability to make their voices heard and vote for their preferred candidate and anti-voter actions that have taken place against drop boxes should be investigated.

WHEN: Thursday, September 26, 2024

WHERE: 210 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd (Outside)

“Mayor Doug Diny’s decision to unilaterally remove the ballot drop box in Wausau is a blatant attempt to undermine our democracy,” said Nick Ramos, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. “His action is rooted in conspiracy theories and is a direct attack on voting right, which goes against our core values as Wisconsinites. I call on local officials to investigate this matter thoroughly and restore the ballot drop box immediately.”

“Mayor Doug Diny is not the municipal clerk of Wausau, and therefore has no authority to remove a drop box,” said All Voting is Local Wisconsin State Director Sam Liebert. “When the mayor dressed up with a hard hat and gloves for a photo of himself wheeling off the drop box, it displayed the actions of someone who would go to great lengths to keep voters from casting a ballot. His actions in the photo are clear. This is an egregious and physical attack on drop boxes by an election denier who is restricting voter access to the ballot box…”