Absentee ballot box available to city residents

With just days left before the Nov. 5 election, the City of Rhinelander is advising residents that an absentee ballot drop box is available.

The drop box is located on the Pelham Street side of City Hall and is available for use by residents of the City of Rhinelander who have a valid absentee ballot request on file, according to an announcement posted on the City of Rhinelander website.

Voters should be aware that the drop box will close at 4:30 p.m. on Nov 5.  

After 4:30 p.m. voters have until 8 p.m. to take their absentee ballot to the City of Rhinelander polling place at the Hodag Dome at 863 Hodag Dome Dr. in Rhinelander. 

According to the post, authority to use an absentee ballot drop box was granted when the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled in the USA v. WEC.

In a decision Issued: On July 5, 2024, the Wisconsin Supreme Court overruled its prior decision, in part, in Teigen v. WEC, and held that secure drop boxes were permitted under state law as a valid method of absentee ballot return. 

The decision is binding on all lower Wisconsin courts. The use of drop boxes is not mandatory and is at the discretion of the municipal clerk.

“Per the guidance of the Wisconsin Election Commission this absentee ballot dropbox and its location has met the recommended security qualifications,” the post reads. “Law enforcement will be contacted if anyone tampers with, defaces, destroys, unlawfully empties, or interrupts, impedes, or prevents the use of a drop box.”

City officials are stressing that the box is available only to registered voters who live in the City of Rhinelander who have lawfully acquired an absentee ballot from the city clerk’s office. 

Those who live in any of the townships outside of the City of Rhinelander may not use the box to submit their ballot.

According to the post, a voter may return his or her own ballot. In addition, an individual may also return the ballot of anyone he or she is lawfully assisting, such as a voter with a disability or a hospitalized voter. An individual is permitted to provide assistance to more than one disabled or hospitalized absentee voter.

Only absentee ballots sealed inside their absentee ballot envelope with the needed voter signature, witness signature, printed name and full address will be accepted as valid ballots.

Finally, the absentee ballot box can be watched by the public, but not if it interferes with voting. 

“Whoever interrupt[s] or disturb[s] the voting…proceedings may be fined not more than $1,000, or imprisoned not more than 6 months or both,” the post states. “Additionally, anyone who by abduction, duress, or any fraudulent device or contrivance, impede[s] or prevent[s] the free exercise of the franchise at an election is guilty of a Class I felony.”