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Wausau ethics board hears testimony on mayor’s removal of absentee ballot drop box
Summary
At a public hearing, witnesses including the police chief, IT director, public works director and facilities manager described that an absentee ballot drop box was removed from outside City Hall and placed inside the mayor’s office in September 2024; Council President Lisa Rasmussen read an email calling the action "likely illegal."
The Wausau Ethics Board opened a hearing on a complaint against Mayor Doug Denny, receiving sworn testimony from city staff who said an absentee ballot drop box that had been positioned outside City Hall was removed and later located inside the mayor’s office.
Chief Matthew Barnes of the Wausau Police Department told the board he was shown the box in the mayor’s office and that he notified finance staff so they knew its location. "I was shown it in his office," Barnes said, adding he had daily contact with the mayor during the relevant period and heard concerns that the box was unsecured outside City Hall.
Gerard Klein, director of the City-County IT Commission, said the box resembled a five-foot mailbox and that two exterior cameras…
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