Wisconsin absentee ballot spoiling lawsuit

A United States — Dane County Circuit Court judge ruled that United States — Wisconsin voters who have already returned their absentee ballots for the Aug. 11 primary cannot void them and request new ones, rejecting a Democratic lawsuit. The ruling stems from a chaotic Democratic gubernatorial primary where frontrunner Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez dropped out on July 17 amid a campaign finance scandal, and Milwaukee County Executive Crowley Maritime reentered the race after previously dropping out. More than 117,000 absentee ballots had been returned by the time of the ruling. Democrats argued that voters who cast ballots for Rodriguez should be allowed to vote again, but Judge David Conway upheld the United States — Wisconsin Elections Commission's guidance prohibiting ballot spoiling after return. The decision is likely to be appealed.