How Arizona secures the vote-by-mail process

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) - Election security is an important topic for most voters. One of the main questions voters have is what types of security protocols are used for mail-in ballots. According to the Arizona Secretary of State’s website, there are four steps election officials take to secure ballots.

1. Tamper Evident Envelopes and Ballot Tracking: In Arizona, counties utilize tamper-evident envelopes for mailed ballots and voters can verify whether their ballot-by-mail has been sent to them and whether it has been received and accepted by the county after it has been mailed back.
2. Security of Ballot Drop-Off Locations and Drop-Boxes: Ballot drop-off locations and drop-boxes must comply with security requirements and procedures outlined in the Elections Procedures Manual.
3. Signature Verification: Every ballot-by-mail is authenticated through a rigorous signature verification process conducted by trained election officials. The voter is contacted if the signature on the ballot-by-mail affidavit is inconsistent with the signature in the voter’s registration record.
4. Criminal Penalties for Misconduct: Arizona law imposes severe criminal penalties for ballot tampering, vote-buying, or discarding someone else’s ballot.

[READ: Maricopa County’s Tabulation Security Protocols]

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