Court Opinion

ID: 9572475
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 20:41:57.777368+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:33:11.333941
License: Public Domain

Gehl, J.
{dissenting). Sec. 11.59, Stats., provides that the ballot shall be mailed by the absentee voter or may be delivered in person. Webster’s New International Dictionary (2d ed., unabridged), defines “in person” as “By oneself; with bodily presence.” Had the legislature intended that the ballot might be delivered by a representative, it might easily have so declared.
*305Nothing is found in the statutes concerning absentee voting that indicates legislative disposition to permit the absentee ballot to be delivered by agent.
Absentee voting is a privilege — not a right. The law dealing 'with such privilege ought to be construed as it is written. The legislature regulates the conduct of elections when it prescribes procedure in language plain and unequivocal and the requirements thereof should be observed.
I am authorized to state that Mr. Chief Justice Fairchild, and Mr. Justice Steinle join in this dissent.