Liberals on the Wisconsin Supreme Court cleared the way Friday for the use of absentee-ballot drop boxes, changing the rules for voting four months before the presidential election and reversing a decision made by conservatives two years ago when they controlled the court.

Wausau City Clerk Kaitlyn Bernarde said the drop box was removed in April after the lock was damaged by winter salt and snow.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled recently that absentee ballot drop boxes can again be used in the state's upcoming primary and presidential election.

Wisconsin election officials will decide on the state’s guidelines for absentee ballot drop boxes. The guidelines are of great importance, since iden won the state by barely over 20,000 votes in 2020.

Earlier this year, the new and improved Wisconsin Supreme Court - now with more justice - revisited the matter. On Friday, they issued their ruling approving the return of the use of ballot drop boxes for the August primaries and November general election. The decision was 4-3, along ideological lines.

The recent decision by the Wisconsin Supreme Court allowing the use of absentee ballot drop-boxes during elections could mean the return of that option in Sheboygan County, although it’s unlikely to be widespread.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2022, then-controlled by conservatives, ruled in favor of a conservative law firm that challenged the drop boxes. The court ruled that drop boxes can only be located at offices staffed by election clerks, not at remote, unstaffed locations.