by Jon Styf
The Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation is now reportedly heading up the investigation into any wrongdoing by Wausau Mayor Doug Diny related to his removal of a ballot drop box that was not yet in use.
Diny told WISN-TV in Milwaukee that he worked with someone from Wausau’s maintenance department over the weekend to return the drop box, which was then opened to the public on Monday.
Diny told WISN that he now plans to take the topic of using the ballot drop box to the Wausau Common Council, which was all he ever wanted, and that he does not see any “criminal intent” in his removal of the box.
It is unclear what law Diny is accused of breaking.
A group of Wausau voters, along with political activist groups such as Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, All Voting is Local Action, SEIU Wisconsin and Souls to the Polls went to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Madison at noon on Tuesday to ask for an investigation into the matter while delivering a complaint letter.
“We believe that Mr. Diny may have broken federal law by using his official position to interfere with citizens’ right to vote,” the letter said. “The drop box was set to be secured and ready for use by Monday, September 23, which Mr. Diny has now prevented.”
Randy Radtke, Jay Coldwell, Kurt Hase and Kay Palmer were Wausau residents who signed the letter. Radtke is a Marathon County Board member.
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Jon Styf is an award-winning editor and reporter of The Center Square who has worked in Illinois, Texas, Wisconsin, Florida and Michigan in local newsrooms over the past 20 years, working for Shaw Media, Hearst and several other companies.
