More than 117,000 returned absentee ballots in Wisconsin's state primary cannot be voided and recast, after Dane County Judge David Conway denied Democrats' request for a temporary restraining order.
Conway said state law unambiguously bars ballot spoiling after a ballot is returned, backing July 9 guidance from the bipartisan Elections Commission to roughly 2,000 local clerks.
The challenge grew out of a chaotic Democratic governor's primary: Sara Rodriguez dropped out July 17 amid a finance scandal after many ballots were cast, and David Crowley reentered the race a day later.
Democrats argued voters would be disenfranchised without a chance to change their votes, but the RNC opposed the effort and the party did not say whether it would appeal.
The ruling lands in a high-stakes open governor's race, with Democrats trying to hold the office and flip both legislative chambers after Tony Evers decided against a third term.
Why are in-person voters allowed to correct ballot mistakes while early mail-in voters lose that flexibility once their ballot is submitted?
How does the inability to update an early ballot affect the accuracy of voter intent when election circumstances suddenly change?
Could dynamic digital voting systems eventually replace printed paper ballots to solve the logistical challenges of candidates withdrawing late in a race?