Security Alert: Official County Ballot Drop Boxes

There have been recent reports of groups promoting unofficial ballot drop boxes that are not affiliated with Fresno County Elections. In some instances they are promoting these ballot drop boxes as “official” or “secure.” The use of unauthorized, non-official ballot drop boxes is prohibited by state law.

Voters who want to return their ballot at a drop box should only use official county drop boxes. Official ballot drop boxes are clearly recognizable, designed to meet state standards for security, and bear the official Fresno County Elections logo. Fresno County’s Official Ballot Drop Boxes look like this:

According to Brandi Orth, Fresno County Clerk/ Registrar of Voters, “Fresno County has more than doubled the number of drop boxes required by the state. We have a total of 66 (32 are required) official drop boxes spread throughout the county. We strongly recommend that voters utilize an official ballot drop box to return their ballot. Ballots are picked up daily by identifiable elections staff in official vehicles.”

Locations of official Fresno County Elections drop boxes can be found at: http://www.votefresnocounty.com

Tips for voters:

• Make a plan to vote. You can return your vote-by-mail using the prepaid postage return envelope or by bringing it to any official drop box, voting location, or County elections office.
  • Voters can also choose someone to return their ballot. Only choose someone you trust to return your ballot. You and the other person must sign the back of The return envelope. Never give your ballot to someone else unless you have completed, signed, and sealed the return envelope.
• Sign up for ballot tracking. You can sign-up at wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov to get automatic notifications by text message (SMS), email, or voice message about the status of your vote-by-mail ballot. You’ll be notified once your county has received your ballot, once it has been counted, and if there are any issues with the ballot.
• Get information on voting from trusted, official sources—the county elections office and the Secretary of State. Resources for Fresno county voters are available at: http://www.votefresnocounty.com The Secretary of State has resources for California voters at www.vote.ca.gov.