Boxes are now open throughout Jackson County; New partnerships with local law enforcement and modern technologies are among the tools being used to ensure election security

By Nick Morgan, Rogue Valley Times

Voters have seven locations throughout Jackson County where they can drop off their ballot at any time of the day or night.

New partnerships with local law enforcement and advanced camera technology are among the tools being used to ensure election security ahead of the Nov. 5 vote, according to Jackson County Clerk Chris Walker. She said maintaining the security of local voters' returned ballots and ensuring all voters feel comfortable participating requires a delicate balance.

“The ballot box is one of those sacred places, as is the election office,” Walker told the Rogue Valley Times on Tuesday. “We want to make sure all voters feel comfortable.”

Walker said all official Dropbox locations are monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Walker has access to the camera feeds 24/7 and she said one of her first tasks in the morning is to monitor the locations for suspicious activity.

“I put them up throughout the election, so I have a picture of them every day,” Walker said.

For added security, Walker has also worked with local law enforcement this year, including the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and city police departments, to regularly patrol the area near ballot drop boxes. She said she saw police vehicles driving past the polls in her surveillance camera footage, and she praised law enforcement's efforts to keep an eye on the election.

“They are conducting increased regular patrols up to and including election night,” Walker said.

What voters won't find, however, is local law enforcement parked at the ballot box itself. Walker said this was by request. She said she understands that for some voters, a police officer standing next to a ballot box could be a barrier to participation.

“It all depends on your experience with law enforcement,” Walker said. “It’s kind of a balancing act.”

Regular pickups are another way Jackson County election staff work to ensure voters' ballots are kept safe after they are cast. For security reasons, Walker did not provide a schedule, but said ballots will be picked up at all drop-off locations at least once a day and that this will occur more frequently in the lead-up to the election.

“You don’t stay longer than necessary,” Walker said, adding: “We can also limit the risk.”

The indoor drop box in the main lobby of the Jackson County elections office on the second floor at 1101 W. Main St. in Medford is also designed for security. According to Walker, the mailbox is attached and bolted to the building. This main lobby box is open during regular election office hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Extended Election Night hours are Tuesday, November 5, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The following ballot drop boxes will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week until election night, Tuesday, November 5, at 8 p.m.

• Jackson County Elections Office, 1101 W. Main St. in Medford
• Medford Library, 205 S. Central Ave.
• Ashland Library, 410 Siskiyou Blvd.
• Central Point Library, 116 S. Third St.
• Eagle Point Library, 239 W. Main St.
• Phoenix Library, 510 W. First St.
• Rogue River Library, 412 E. Main St.

For more information, contact the elections office at 541-774-6148, email [email protected] or go to jacksoncountyor.gov/departments/clerk/elections.

Contact reporter Nick Morgan at [email protected] or 458-488-2036. This story first appeared in the Rogue Valley Times.