Imperial County election officials detail ballot security measures
IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – As ballot drop boxes open across California for the upcoming election, Imperial County election officials are assuring the public that strict security protocols are in place to safeguard every vote.
Imperial County Registrar of Voters Linsey Dale emphasized that multiple layers of protection, ranging from physical handling protocols to offline voting hardware, are currently active to guarantee a secure election process.
To ensure the integrity of votes collected from mailboxes, drop boxes, and voting locations, the county enforces rigorous chain-of-custody procedures.
A key element of this security framework is a two-person “buddy system,” which mandates that two election workers must accompany live ballots at all times to prevent tampering or loss.
In addition to internal handling rules, the county has partnered closely with municipal police departments and the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office to maintain safety at physical vote centers.
“They’re very well aware of California election laws and to understand the voters’ rights to cast that ballot,” registrar Linsey Dale said.
Addressing widespread concerns regarding cybersecurity, election officials confirmed that none of the county’s voting machines or tabulators are connected to the internet, entirely removing the possibility of remote hacking.
The county’s internal, isolated systems are currently undergoing rigorous preparation to confirm that all machinery accurately reads and tallies votes before the public arrives.
“That’s called logic and accuracy testing,” Dale explained. “We are testing each and every machine to make sure that everything is accurate and the votes are counted properly.”
While Imperial County has not experienced any recent security threats, election officials note that comprehensive contingency plans have been developed alongside the county’s IT department and Chief Executive Office (CEO).
“Luckily here in Imperial County, we have not had any instances of security threats…however that doesn’t say that one could not happen,” Dale noted. “But we are prepared for that.”
Voters have multiple avenues to cast their ballots ahead of the final deadline:
October 24: Early vote centers open in El Centro and Brawley. October 31: All remaining regional vote centers open for full operation, staying open through Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Election Day. November 3 (Election Day): All vote centers and ballot drop boxes close promptly at 8:00 p.m.
Officials say having these sites open through the weekend leading up to the election leaves plenty of opportunities for residents to participate.
“So election day and before that Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, so all of our vote centers will be open,” Dale said. “You have no excuse not to vote.”
For those planning to utilize vote-by-mail options, officials strongly advise placing completed ballots in the mail at least seven days before Election Day to prevent unexpected postal delays.
“I encourage everyone to get out and vote early, it does help us out with the process and to be able to provide those results in a timely manner,” Dale added.
Anyone who witnesses potential interference or experiences an issue while trying to cast their vote is urged to report it to the Registrar’s office immediately.
Go to the county’s website for all information regarding Election Day, where to vote, and tracking your ballot.
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