Madison, Wisconsin.. Wisconsin mayor who Moved away dropbox People designated for absentee ballots before any votes are cast in the 2024 election will not face charges, a special prosecutor announced Wednesday.
Wausau Mayor Doug Denney posed for photos wearing a hard hat and work gloves as he removed a drop box from outside City Hall in September 2024. City workers had not yet opened the box, but voters had begun receiving their absentee ballots, according to city elections clerk Caitlin Bernard.
The move became a flashpoint over whether communities in the swing state of Wisconsin should allow absentee ballot drop boxes. Denny returned the box a week later after Bernard raised questions about the integrity of the election. The city mayor denied any wrongdoing, saying that the box was not secured on the ground and anyone could steal it, so he decided to secure it in the city hall.
The city’s Ethics Board determined in October 2024 that Denny violated Wausau’s ethics policy. The state Department of Justice investigation found no basis for charges.
The position of mayor of Wausau is officially a nonpartisan position, but Denny campaigned on his opposition to absentee drop boxes and had Republican support during his run.
Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney, a Republican running against Democratic District Attorney Josh Kaul in the November 2026 election, Launched another probe As a special prosecutor. Tony said on Wednesday that he would not be able to prove any accusations beyond a reasonable doubt. He noted that Wisconsin law prohibits breaking a ballot box and tampering with ballots in the ballot box, but the box Denny transported remained closed and did not contain any ballots.
Tony also said the drop box did not meet the definition of a ballot box because it was intended to be a receptacle for multiple city items, including ballots and payments. He cited the Wisconsin Elections Commission as saying ballot drop boxes are being used at polling places instead of returning absentee ballots.
Denny did not immediately respond to emails and voicemail messages seeking comment on Tony’s conclusions.