The Wisconsin 2nd District Court of Appeals has ruled that absentee ballots will not be distributed via email to voters who self-certify as disabled, overturning a lower court ruling from a progressive judge in Dane County. The decision, issued just weeks before a key election, ensures that Wisconsin’s election procedures remain secure and less vulnerable to fraud.

The lawsuit, brought by Disability Rights Wisconsin and other advocacy groups, sought to expand the use of email ballots beyond military and overseas voters. The initial ruling would have allowed voters to claim a disability without verification and receive an emailed ballot, which they could mark electronically before printing and returning it. However, election security experts and lawmakers argued that this method posed significant risks, including unauthorized ballot access, third-party interference, and difficulties in ensuring the integrity of the vote.

Republican Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu hailed the ruling as a victory for election security, stating that expanding email ballot access beyond overseas and military voters would weaken safeguards designed to protect Wisconsin’s elections. The Wisconsin Department of Justice, ran by Democrat Josh Kaul, also warned that email-based voting could introduce new vulnerabilities, including voter coercion and ballot tampering, undermining public trust in the process.

Critics of the ruling argue that it makes voting less accessible for disabled individuals. However, Wisconsin already has absentee voting options in place that do not involve the risks of digital ballots. Election officials have emphasized that every effort should be made to protect the independence of disabled voters while maintaining robust security measures.

By upholding the existing restrictions, the appeals court has reaffirmed Wisconsin’s commitment to secure elections. With concerns over election integrity at an all-time high, this ruling prevents a rushed and risky expansion of email ballots that could have had unintended and dangerous consequences. As early voting begins, Wisconsin voters can have greater confidence that their elections will remain fair and transparent.