(a) To prevent physical damage and unauthorized entry, an unstaffed drop box located outdoors shall be constructed of durable material able to withstand vandalism, removal, and inclement weather.
(b) To ensure that only ballot material can be deposited and not be removed by anyone but designated ballot retrievers, all drop boxes (both staffed and unstaffed) shall have an opening slot that is not large enough to allow ballots to be tampered with or removed. The opening slot shall be designed to minimize the ability for liquid to be poured into the drop box or rain water to seep in.
(c) A drop box, and a secure ballot container placed within the drop box, shall be designed such that any unauthorized physical access results in physical evidence that unauthorized access has taken place. An elections official may use a tamper-evident seal for purposes of this section.
(d) A drop box or secure ballot container shall provide specific points identifying where ballots are to be inserted. A drop box may have more than one ballot slot (e.g. one for drive-up ballot drop-offs and one for walk-up drop-offs).
(e) Each drop box shall be assigned a unique identifying number that is readily identifiable to the designated ballot retrievers and the public on the drop box.
(f) The drop box shall be clearly and visibly marked, as an “Official Ballot Drop Box”. The following information shall be provided, in the manner prescribed by the elections official, at drop boxes and drop-off locations in all languages required under the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10503) and those languages applicable to a particular county under Elections Code section 14201:
(1) Language stating that tampering with the drop box is a felony pursuant to Elections Code section 18500.
(2) A toll free voter hotline connecting the voter to either the county elections office or the Secretary of State's hotline.
(3) A statement that no postage is necessary when depositing the ballot into the drop box.
(4) A statement requesting that the county elections official be notified immediately in the event the drop box is full, not functioning, or has been damaged in any fashion.
(5) A statement informing the public that no ballots will be accepted after 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, unless there are voters in line or the time for the closing of the polls has been extended by a court order.
(g) Drop boxes shall be designed to function as follows:
(1) Drop box hardware shall be operable without any tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist.
(2) Drop box hardware shall require no more than 5 lbs. of pressure for the voter to operate.
(3) Accessible drop boxes shall be operable within reach-range of 15 to 48 inches from the finish floor or ground for a person utilizing a wheelchair. This shall not apply to a drop box meant to be used by drivers of vehicles.
(4) Signage for ballot drop boxes shall be in a distinct color type that contrasts with the background and have a no-glare finish.
(h) In determining the final design and functions of the drop box, the elections official shall design them in such a way that the public will perceive them to be official and secure.
(i) Each unstaffed drop box used in a particular county shall have the same use features, and be of substantially similar design, color scheme, and signage to facilitate identification by the public.
(j) Each staffed drop box used in a particular county shall have the same use features, and be of substantially similar design, color scheme, and signage to facilitate identification by the public.
(k) The elections official shall determine drop box size based on the use and needs of the county.
Credits
Note: Authority cited: Section 12172.5, Government Code; and Sections 10 and 3025, Elections Code. Reference: Section 3025, Elections Code.
History
1. New section filed 1-11-2018; operative 1-11-2018 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2018, No. 2).
This database is current through 4/26/24 Register 2024, No. 17.
