Boxes now open across Jackson County; new partnerships with local law enforcement and modern technologies are among tools used to preserve election security

By Nick Morgan, Rogue Valley Times

Voters have seven places across Jackson County to drop off their ballots anytime day or night.

New partnerships with local law enforcement and modern camera technologies are among the tools used to preserve election security ahead of the Nov. 5 vote, according to Jackson County Clerk Chris Walker. She said that maintaining the security of local voters’ returned ballots while also ensuring that all voters feel comfortable participating requires a delicate balance.

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

Walker said that all official drop box locations are monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Walker has access to the camera feeds at all hours, and she said among the first things she does in the morning is observe the sites watching for suspicious activity.

“I have those up throughout the election, so I have a visual on them each and every day,” Walker said.

For added security this year, Walker has also partnered with local law enforcement, including the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and municipal police agencies, to regularly patrol the area near ballot boxes. She said she has noticed police vehicles driving by the ballot boxes in her security camera feed, and she praised law enforcement’s efforts to keep an eye out.

“They are doing heightened 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 that is by request. She said she understands that for some voters, a police officer standing next to a ballot box may be a barrier from participating.

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

Regular pickups are another way Jackson County elections staff work to ensure voters’ ballots are kept safe after they’re dropped off. For security reasons, Walker does not provide a schedule but said that ballots at all drop-off locations are picked up at least once a day, and are picked up more frequently leading up to the election.

“They don’t stay any longer than necessary,” Walker said, adding that “we can also limit the risk.”

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

Extended election night hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5.

The following ballot boxes are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week until 8 p.m. election night, Tuesday, Nov. 5.

• 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 see jacksoncountyor.gov/departments/clerk/elections.

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