Top Story Special Report ‘THERE OUGHTA BE A LAW’ | RECENT LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS IN WISCONSIN GOP bill would ban absentee ballot drop boxes in Wisconsin From the Get caught up on recent legislative proposals in Wisconsin series MITCHELL SCHMIDT Nov 4, 2025 Nov 4, 2025 Updated Nov 24, 2025 A proposal by Republican legislators would prohibit the use of absentee ballot drop boxes, such as this one on Monroe Street in Madison. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL ARCHIVES Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save MITCHELL SCHMIDT What the bill would dokAmp 92?57F= @7 #6AF3=:42? =2H>2<6CD 92G6 :?EC@5F465 2 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^5@4D]=68:D]H:D4@?D:?]8@G^a_ad^AC@A@D2=D^23de_RiOiE6IElp?Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm?6H AC@A@D2=[ pq de_k^2m[ E92E D66<D E@ 32C =@42= 6=64E:@? 4=6C<D 7C@> FD:?8 23D6?E66 32==@E 5C@A 3@I6D :? (:D4@?D:?’D 6=64E:@?D]k^AmkAm%96 7C66DE2?5:?8[ >2:=3@I\=:<6 5C@A 3@I6D 92G6 366? F?56C 7:C6 :? (:D4@?D:? 3J v~! =2H>2<6CD D:?46 E96 a_a_ AC6D:56?E:2= 6=64E:@?[ 5F6 :? A2CE E@ !C6D:56?E s@?2=5 %CF>A’D F?7@F?565 4=2:>D @7 H:56DAC625 6=64E:@? 7C2F5 :? 9:D =@DD E92E J62C E@ y@6 q:56? 3J 23@FE a`[___ G@E6D :? E96 DE2E6]k^Am kAm|F=E:A=6 C6G:6HD 2?5 4@FCE 564:D:@?D 92G6 7@F?5 ?@ 6G:56?46 @7 H:56DAC625 7C2F5 :? E96 a_a_ 6=64E:@?[ 2?5 2? k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^2A?6HD]4@>^2CE:4=6^G@E:?8\C:89ED\a_aa\>:5E6C>\6=64E:@?D\4@G:5\962=E9\H:D4@?D:?\4e`72hb2`a2`2d`5e5h7c6_2a`72b3fdQ E2C86ElQ03=2?<QmpDD@4:2E65 !C6DD DFCG6Jk^2m @7 DE2E6 6=64E:@? @77:4:2=D 24C@DD E96 &]$] :56?E:7:65 ?@ 42D6D @7 7C2F5[ G2?52=:D> @C E967E E92E 4@F=5 92G6 27764E65 E96 C6DF=ED :? a_a_]k^Am People are also reading… Lake Geneva restaurant owner honored for quick response Lake Geneva recommends $580,000 bid for street improvements Lake Geneva considers speed bumps for slowing down traffic Lake Geneva BID presents awards during annual meeting Riga-Tony’s serves Italian with style, fun and flair Lake Geneva receives update on Hillmoor Zone 1 project Look Ahead: Happy Easter in Lake Geneva! Plus a best-selling author visit & local live music Democratic-backed Chris Taylor wins seat on Supreme Court 12-year-old arrested in death of classmate who was hit in the head by a metal water bottle Trump issues an expletive-filled threat against Iran as details of US aviator's rescue emerge Madison man arrested after $3.6M in meth found in vehicle by Illinois State Police Lake Geneva changes Highway 50 plat for planned path project Immigrants seeking asylum are ordered to countries they've never been to, but end up stuck in limbo 'That guy's a warrior': Strength coach's fight against cancer motivates Wisconsin men's hockey Cole Caufield becomes 2nd former Wisconsin player to score 50 goals in an NHL season k9am%96 42D6 7@C :Ek^9amkAm%96 (:D4@?D:? $FAC6>6 r@FCE CF=65 :? a_ac E92E 5C@A 3@I6D 2C6 25>:DD:3=6 :? E96 DE2E6 F?56C 6I:DE:?8 =2HD E92E C6BF:C6 D62=65 23D6?E66 32==@E 6?G6=@A6D 36 C6EFC?65 @C >2:=65 E@ E96 >F?:4:A2= 4=6C<]k^Am kAm#6A] {:?566 qC:==[ #\$963@J82? u2==D[ D2:5 E96 AC@A@D2= D66<D E@ “C6DE@C6 E96 (:D4@?D:? $FAC6>6 r@FCE’D =682==J D@F?5 564:D:@?” 7C@> 2? 62C=:6C 564:D:@? :? a_aa[ H96? E96 4@FCE k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^>25:D@?]4@>^?6HD^DE2E6\C68:@?2=^8@G6C?>6?E\A@=:E:4D^H:D4@?D:?\5C@A\3@I\23D6?E66\32==@ED^2CE:4=60_d4772__\6_36\``66\h33c\a76b_5ffh626]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm32CC65 E96 FD6 @7 5C@A 3@I6Dk^2m] %92E CF=:?8[ :DDF65 H96? E96 4@FCE 96=5 2 c\b 4@?D6CG2E:G6 >2;@C:EJ[ D2:5 E92E 5C@A 3@I6D 4@F=5 @?=J 36 FD65 :? 4=6C<D’ @77:46D]k^Am kAm“x? 2 E:>6 H96? G@E6C 4@?7:56?46 :? E96 :?E68C:EJ @7 @FC 6=64E:@?D :D 2E 2? 2== E:>6 =@H[ E9:D :D D:>A=6 =68:D=2E:@? E@ :>AC@G6 D64FC:EJ 7@C @FC 6=64E:@?D 2?5 4@?7:56?46 7C@> (:D4@?D:? G@E6CD[” qC:== D2:5]k^Am kAm~E96C v~! =2H>2<6CD DFAA@CE:?8 E96 >62DFC6 :?4=F56 #6AD] r9F4< (:4986CD[ @7 |FD<68@j y:> !:H@H2C4KJ<[ @7 wF36CEFDj s2G6 |2I6J[ @7 }6H q6C=:?j t=:;29 q69?<6[ @7 E96 E@H? @7 r92D6j y@J v@636?[ @7 w@32CEj $4@EE p==6?[ @7 (2F<6D92j 2?5 sF<6 %F4<6C[ @7 vC2?ED3FC8]k^AmkAm“%96 FD6 @7 32==@E 5C@A 3@I6D 7@C C6EFC?:?8 4@>A=6E65 23D6?E66 32==@ED 92D ?6:E96C 2 D@F?5 32D:D :? DE2E6 DE2EFE6 ?@C 5@6D :E C62DDFC6 G@E6CD E92E E96:C 6=64E:@?D 2C6 36:?8 4@?5F4E65 D64FC6=J[” E96 =2H>2<6CD HC@E6 :? 2 >6>@ D66<:?8 4@DA@?D@CD 7@C E96 AC@A@D2=]k^Am k9am%96 42D6 282:?DE :Ek^9amkAm%96 AC@A@D2= 4@>6D >@C6 E92? 2 J62C 27E6C E96 DE2E6 $FAC6>6 r@FCE[ ?@H F?56C 2 =:36C2= >2;@C:EJ[ k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^>25:D@?]4@>^?6HD^DE2E6\C68:@?2=^8@G6C?>6?E\A@=:E:4D^H:D4@?D:?\DFAC6>6\4@FCE\CF=:?8\23D6?E66\32==@E\5C@A\3@I6D\6=64E:@?\a_ac^2CE:4=60fga27dfa\bhda\``67\35`e\fbcf_35_7a6g]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<QmC6G6CD65 E96 4@FCE’D a_aa 564:D:@?k^2m :? 2 DA=:E c\b CF=:?8]k^AmkAm%96?\yFDE:46 p?? (2=D9 qC25=6J[ @?6 @7 E96 4@FCE’D 7@FC =:36C2= ;FDE:46D 2E E96 E:>6[ HC@E6 :? E96 @C56C E92E E96 ;FDE:46D 56E6C>:?65 E92E “E96 4@FCE’D 4@?EC2CJ 4@?4=FD:@? :? WE96 a_aa 564:D:@?X H2D F?D@F?5 :? AC:?4:A=6[ 2?5 2D 2 4@?D6BF6?46[ H6 @G6CCF=6 :E]”k^Am kAm%96 564:D:@? 5@6D ?@E >2?52E6 E96 FD6 @7 E96 3@I6D[ 3FE C2E96C 2==@HD >F?:4:A2= 4=6C<D E@ @A6C2E6 5C@A 3@I6D :7 E96J D@ 49@@D6]k^AmkA 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\=:?<Qmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^>25:D@?]4@>^E?4>D^2DD6E^65:E@C:2=^fg`7fd4a\c45_\c55e\2h63\e5`4c5bcahaaQmy6776CD@? r@F?EJ C6A@CED D64@?5 3:C5 7=F 42D6 :? f 52JDk^2mk^AmkAm$@@? 27E6CH2C5[ E96 (:D4@?D:? t=64E:@?D r@>>:DD:@? 2AAC@G65 4@CC6DA@?56?46 E@ =@42= 4=6C<D 56E2:=:?8 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^>25:D@?]4@>^?6HD^DE2E6\C68:@?2=^8@G6C?>6?E\A@=:E:4D^6=64E:@?D^2CE:4=606e6a47`_\b64a\``67\2gf2\3f34`_4`b6_4]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm8F:56=:?6D 7@C 23D6?E66 32==@E 5C@A 3@I6Dk^2m E92E C6BF:C6 E96> E@ 36 D64FC6[ DEFC5J 6?@F89 E@ H:E9DE2?5 E96 6=6>6?ED 2?5 =@42E65 :? 2 D276[ 2446DD:3=6 =@42E:@?]k^Am kAm(:E9 E96 ?6H @C56C :? A=246[ 4@>>F?:E:6D DF49 2D |25:D@? 2?5 |:=H2F<66 3682? 677@CED E@ C6:?DE2== 5C@A 3@I6D[ H9:=6 @E96C 4=6C<D 92G6 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^>25:D@?]4@>^?6HD^DE2E6\C68:@?2=^8@G6C?>6?E\A@=:E:4D^6=64E:@?D^2CE:4=60`a323dh4\e64a\``67\gc2a\4b7gd_g`6h6f]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm92=E65 E96:C FD6k^2m]k^AmkAm!C@A@?6?ED @7 5C@A 3@I6D 92G6 D2:5 E96J AC@G:56 2 4@?G6?:6?E 2?5 D64FC6 H2J 7@C G@E6CD E@ 42DE E96:C 32==@ED] %96J’G6 2=D@ 366? 92CD9=J 4C:E:42= @7 E96 3@I6D’ 56EC24E@CD[ 2C8F:?8 E92E E9@D6 @AA@D65 E@ E96:C FD6 2C6 7@==@H:?8 4@?DA:C24J E96@C:6D AF3=:4:K65 3J %CF>A 2?5 @E96C #6AF3=:42?D E92E E96J D2J 2C6 E96 C62= D@FC46 @7 2 =24< @7 4@?7:56?46 :? 6=64E:@? 25>:?:DEC2E:@? :? E96 DE2E6]k^Am k9am%@ 86E :?G@=G65k^9am kAm%@ 4@?E24E J@FC =2H>2<6C 23@FE E9:D @C 2?J @E96C 3:==[ 42== E96 =68:D=2E:G6 9@E=:?6[ H9:49 :D DE27765 7C@> gi`d 2]>] E@ cicd A]>] H66<52JD 2E e_g\aee\hhe_ @C g__\bea\hcfa] %@ D6?5 2? 6>2:=[ 8@ E@ E96 {68:D=2EFC6’D H63D:E6 2E k2 9C67lQ9EEAi^^=68:D]H:D4@?D:?]8@GQ E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm=68:D]H:D4@?D:?]8@Gk^2m 2?5 D6=64E “pDD6>3=J” @C “$6?2E6” E@ 7:?5 J@FC C6AC6D6?E2E:G6]k^AmkAmp 962C:?8 @? E96 3:== :D 2=D@ D4965F=65 7@C `_ib_ 2]>] %F6D52J :? #@@> c`a t2DE 2E E96 DE2E6 r2A:E@=]k^Am kA 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\=:?<Qmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^>25:D@?]4@>^E?4>D^2DD6E^65:E@C:2=^f7236dad\g7f7\cfg`\37hh\2b23fe``f547Qm(9@’D CF??:?8 7@C (:D4@?D:? $FAC6>6 r@FCEnk^2mk^Am In this Series Get caught up on recent legislative proposals in Wisconsin Updated Oct 7, 2025 Bill would prevent local alternative fuel mandates in Wisconsin Updated Mar 24, 2026 GOP lawmakers seek to close THC ‘loophole’ after contaminated pizza incident Updated Feb 13, 2026 Wisconsin Republicans propose bills revamping math curriculum, bolstering student discipline 20 updates Previous Locations Madison Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story Tow-truck driver leads Monona police on chase Jefferson County reports second bird flu case in 7 days Birds on the property will be killed to prevent the spread of the disease and will not enter the food system, officials said. Who’s running for Wisconsin Supreme Court? Liberals currently hold a 4-3 majority on the seven-member court, an advantage they will maintain until at least 2028. Wisconsin youth prisons in compliance with court orders for first time since child abuse scandal Monitors found no youth inmates were confined to their rooms for more than three days and they were getting sufficient time outside of their cells. 4 finalists chosen for public art at Madison’s newest library Residents are invited to meet the finalists at Madison College Truax Campus at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 6. Wisconsin’s gun deer hunting season to start late again this year Fewer deer may be on the move during a late opener, but colder temperatures and snow cover could create better hunting conditions. Wisconsin governor candidates weigh in on data center boom The forum marked the first major gubernatorial candidate forum before next year’s election for the seat held by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. Wisconsin Democrats say legislative majorities in reach next year In battleground Wisconsin, liberal optimism is particularly high in the state Senate, where Republicans hold 18 seats to Democrats’ 15. Watch Now: Related Video Unable to play video AP top stories April 10 WisEye Morning Minute: Senate Committee Hearing with UW Regents WisEye Morning Minute: Senate Committee Hearing with UW Regents Climate change is outpacing evolution. Scientists are using DNA to catch up Climate change is outpacing evolution. Scientists are using DNA to catch up Artemis II LIVE: Earth reentry and splashdown after moon flyby Artemis II LIVE: Earth reentry and splashdown after moon flyby
Jefferson County reports second bird flu case in 7 days Birds on the property will be killed to prevent the spread of the disease and will not enter the food system, officials said.
Who’s running for Wisconsin Supreme Court? Liberals currently hold a 4-3 majority on the seven-member court, an advantage they will maintain until at least 2028.
Wisconsin youth prisons in compliance with court orders for first time since child abuse scandal Monitors found no youth inmates were confined to their rooms for more than three days and they were getting sufficient time outside of their cells.
4 finalists chosen for public art at Madison’s newest library Residents are invited to meet the finalists at Madison College Truax Campus at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 6.
Wisconsin’s gun deer hunting season to start late again this year Fewer deer may be on the move during a late opener, but colder temperatures and snow cover could create better hunting conditions.
Wisconsin governor candidates weigh in on data center boom The forum marked the first major gubernatorial candidate forum before next year’s election for the seat held by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.
Wisconsin Democrats say legislative majorities in reach next year In battleground Wisconsin, liberal optimism is particularly high in the state Senate, where Republicans hold 18 seats to Democrats’ 15.
