This question is posted by ACE on behalf of Don Campbell, Electoral Logistics Training Consultant

Original Question:
We are working on an elections logistics project where potential changes to the number of candidates is expected to increase due to the legislated reduction in the number of electorates in the nation, along with greater interest in the national elections due to the simplified voter registration method.

Trials have been undertaken with the number of larger ballot papers which could be fitted inside the existing ballot box – and a ballot box with basic dimensions of 42-44cm square at the top and tapering down to 37 cm square at the bottom is being considered.

Rather than starting from scratch to design and produce such a ballot box, we are looking out for a semi-clear plastic ballot box which might already exist somewhere in the world, with specifications that potentially meet our needs.  In this case procurement would be simplified by placing an additional order for boxes which could be a continuation of existing production runs rather than going through the design and initial production stages.

Consideration of ballot boxes which were compatible with our existing lids would be an additional bonus as the lids could be used interchangeably between boxes, although we realized this could be a long shot.

Whilst no final decision has been made to proceed with the larger boxes, this solution is a feasible choice, so exploring these options in parallel with the decision-making process makes common sense and has been agreed.

Attached are the specifications for the smaller boxes for which the top specifications including lid could apply.

Specifications for a larger box have not been finalized, but they would follow the above, with recognition that slightly thicker walls would be needed to ensure resilience of the larger boxes when in ordinary use.

Please see the attached document for technical specifications of the desired ballot box.

Summary of Responses:

Some practitioners shared examples of ballot boxes used in South American countries.

One practitioner indicated that the size of the ballot boxes that have been used for two decades in Peru corresponds to the dimension of the ballot box described in the document, and are made of transparent polypropylene.

Another practitioner put an emphasis on the importance of determining the average number of voters per polling station or district, as well as the size of the ballot papers based on the number of candidates, prior to determining the size of the ballot boxes that will be used. He provided the example of Ecuador. The ballot boxes used in the country are foldable cardboard ballot boxes, with a transparent plastic window on the front and a slot on the top of the box for the insertion of the ballot papers. The advantages of using these boxes are their lightness and portability by airplane.

Finally, one practitioner noted the availability on the market of the type of ballot boxes described in the technical specifications document. The product is manufactured in large quantities each year. Practitioner William Hogan has offered to introduce those interested to a recommended manufacturer he has worked with.

Contributing members:

Fredy Martin Giraldo Rivera 

Francisco Morales Gomez 

William Hogan

En PERU, se hacen con material transparente de polipropileno transparente en las dimensiones que se indican en su documento adjunto.

Esta forma de urna de votación es utilizada desde hace unos 20 años aproxidamente.

Saludos cordiales,

Fredy Giraldo

En Ecuador tenemos cajas de cartón prensado livianas, plegables, en la parte frontal cuna ventana con plástico transparente, y en la parte superior una abertura que permita el depósito de la papeleta.

Son fáciles de transportar y livianas para la vía aérea.

Deben medir el volumen de votantes y el tamaño de las papeletas electorales y calcular, si existen 200 electorales, las papeletas dobladas por ser de mayor dimensión por el numero de candidatos, mirar si hay capacidad para ellos. En Ecuador tenemos 300 sufragantes por mesa o junta electoral y nos cabe perfectamente.

el tamaño me parece adecuado, pero no conocemos la cantidad de sufragantes por junta electoral.

Ballot boxes such as the type described in the technical specifications are available on the market. They have existed for many years and are manufactured in their multi-thousands each year.  If required I can put you in contact with a recommended manufacturer I have used on a number of projects in many countries.  A dependable, reliable company who have been in this business for many years.  

If you need this respond here with a contact email or phone number and I can give you details privately.