Wisconsin Democrats faced a setback when a court ruled that voters cannot change their absentee ballots after submitting them. This decision followed the withdrawal of some Democratic candidates from the governor’s race.
Dane County Circuit Judge David Conway ruled that absentee ballots cannot be "spoiled" once returned to election offices.
Three plaintiffs, who had previously voted for Lt.Gov. Sara Rodriguez before she dropped out, claimed they would have delayed returning their ballots had they known they could not vote for a new candidate.
The judge emphasized that the law clearly does not allow this process once a ballot is returned.
Rodriguez suspended her campaign on July 17 after her financial records were mishandled, and former Lt.Gov. Mandela Barnes also exited the race due to low poll numbers.
Francesca Hong is favored to win the upcoming Democratic primary, while Republican Rep.Tom Tiffany is expected to face the Democratic nominee in November.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission had previously decided against allowing voters to spoil returned absentee ballots in a 4-2 vote on July 9.
The ruling reinforces the existing statute that absentee ballots, once returned, cannot be changed, impacting voters following the recent withdrawals of key Democratic candidates.
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