A Wisconsin mayor who removed a ballot drop box intended for absentee ballots ahead of the 2024 elections will not face criminal charges, according to a special prosecutor's decision.

Doug Diny, the mayor of Wausau, Wisconsin, physically removed the drop box that had been designated for collecting absentee ballots prior to the 2024 election cycle. The incident prompted an investigation into whether the mayor's actions constituted criminal conduct.

A special prosecutor conducted a review of the incident and concluded there was insufficient evidence to file charges against Diny. The prosecutor's investigation examined the circumstances surrounding the removal of the ballot collection equipment.

The case highlights ongoing debates over ballot collection methods and election security measures that have emerged in various states since the 2020 election. Drop boxes for absentee ballots have become a point of contention in some communities, with officials taking different approaches to their deployment and oversight.

The decision not to pursue charges closes the investigation into Diny's actions. The mayor's removal of the drop box had raised questions about proper procedures for handling election infrastructure and the authority of local officials over ballot collection equipment.