Wisconsin authorities are investigating Wausau Mayor Doug Diny for removing a ballot box outside City Hall last month.
Agents with the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation arrived at City Hall on Wednesday, according to WISN 12, and they have begun their investigation into the matter, which some have called an “embarrassment.”
The ballot drop box was replaced Monday and is now “secured to the ground” in accordance with state election guidelines. Diny said he moved the ballot box because it was not secured, and he thought it could be stolen.
Wausau’s Common Council President Lisa Rasmussen sent an email to several city officials Wednesday reacting to the news that authorities were investigating.
“I just became aware that DCI agents are at city hall to investigate the matter surrounding the ballot drop box,” she wrote. “As Council President, I am requesting that you cooperate with the investigation as we would with any criminal investigation. This includes allowing access to or providing public records if requested.”
Diny, a Republican, said he didn’t see any “criminal intent” in his actions in an interview Monday.
“I don’t see any criminal intent here,” the mayor said in an interview with the outlet. “There’s nothing really, again, the box is in the charge of the clerk.”
The Portage County Sheriff’s Office has said its investigation is complete. It’s unclear what Diny could be charged with.
More than 60 towns, villages, and cities in nine Wisconsin counties have decided not to use the boxes for the presidential election in November, according to a tally by the group All Voting is Local.
Diny previously said he wants the City Council to discuss whether a drop box is needed. Drop boxes were more commonly used during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Democrats have slammed Diny’s actions. The Democratic Party of Wisconsin called his removal of the box a “drop box heist,” nicknaming him “Mayor Hamburglar.”
“Mayor Hamburglar’s drop box heist is not only the latest unfortunate episode of Republican politicians in Wisconsin letting conspiracy theories get the better of them, but it is also an illegal act that violates state election law and the code of ethics for public officials,” said Joe Oslund, Democratic Party of Wisconsin communications director. “Ballot drop boxes are a secure, convenient, and legal way for folks to cast their vote, and they’ve been utilized in communities across Wisconsin for decades.”
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“We urge Doug to do the right thing, release the dropbox today from wherever he is holding it hostage, and prepare himself to face the consequences of his illegal conduct,” Oslund added.
Wisconsin is a swing state in the 2024 presidential election and has a close Senate race between incumbent Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Republican challenger Eric Hovde.