WI voter rights expanded in 2024

Two major court rulings in 2024—implemented across 2025— reshaped voting access in Wisconsin. The first restored the use of secure absentee-ballot drop boxes, which had been banned since 2022. The second approved a new set of legislative maps drawn to replace old, gerrymandered districts. Together, these changes make it easier for voters—especially women balancing work, caregiving, and community roles—to cast a ballot and have it count equally across the state.

Why it Matters

Women not only make up a majority of registered voters in Wisconsin, but they also turn out more consistently. Women are also more likely to rely on absentee or early voting because of caregiving, shift work, or mobility barriers. Restoring drop boxes gives them safe, flexible options. Fairer maps help ensure that women’s collective votes more accurately reflect statewide representation.

Background

Until recently, Wisconsin’s voting system had become one of the hardest to navigate in the Midwest. In 2022, the state’s highest court banned the use of ballot drop boxes, forcing all absentee ballots to be returned by mail or in person. Two years later, the court reversed course, ruling that local clerks can again offer secure drop boxes—an important option for voters with limited time or transportation.

Around the same time, the same court ruled that the state’s legislative maps were unconstitutional because some districts weren’t even connected on the map. That decision required new, contiguous districts that better reflect Wisconsin’s population. Governor Evers signed the new maps into law in February 2024, setting the stage for more competitive elections and a legislature that more closely mirrors Wisconsin’s even political divide.

Resources

Americas Health Rankings - Voter Participation