(Rishitha Jaladi, Intern Journalist)USA: Ballot drop boxes are usually monitored by video surveillance and are routinely checked by bipartisan officials, according to NPR, CBS News, ProPublica, and other news outlets. On Monday, President Trump suggested that ballot drop boxes could lead to fraud, a claim unsupported by available evidence according to NBC News and The Associated Press.
Drop boxes are a common balloting option for voters in states across the US. President Trump’s claim that the practice invited fraud is unsubstantiated. Ballot drop boxes are monitored by video surveillance and are considered to be a secure voting resource.
“A ballot drop box provides a secure and convenient means for voters to return their mail ballot. A drop box is a secure, locked structure operated by election officials where voters may deliver their ballots from the time they receive them in the mail up to the time polls close on Election Day. Ballot drop boxes can be staffed or unstaffed, temporary or permanent.” says US Election Assistance Commission.
Dropboxes, which are usually monitored 24/7 by video surveillance and weigh 600ish pounds, is considered a way to give the voter MORE control over their ballot. Election officials pick them up directly, eliminating the USPS (and potential delays) from the process.
“Dropbox supporters dismiss such concerns as completely unfounded. They note that drop boxes have been used in some states such as Washington and Oregon for years without problems. Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, told the Senate committee that drop boxes are an important and convenient option for voters especially this year.”
Donald Trump says, Some states use “drop boxes” for the collection of Universal Mail-In Ballots. So who is going to “collect” the Ballots, and what might be done to them before tabulation? A Rigged Election? So bad for our Country. Only Absentee Ballots acceptable! Last week, a federal judge ordered President Trump to turn over evidence of voter fraud in response to his drop-box claims.
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