Ballot Box Design
Ballot box design is of considerably varied nature, including:
- clear high density plastic construction (allowing highly visible proof that the ballots are not being tampered with);
- metal;
- other durable plastic construction;
- lightweight, disposable ballot boxes made of corrugated cardboard or, for multiple day use, corrugated plastic sheet.
Design should take into account the maximum number of voters to be processed in a voting station (and hence the number of ballots) and ballot size. Design must ensure that once the ballot box has been sealed, ballots cannot be removed from the ballot box without breaking security seals or locks. It is also important that ballots, when folded in the correct manner, pass easily through the insertion slot. Some designs include a lockable slide to seal the ballot paper insertion slot; this more expensive option may provide no more security than covering the slot at close of voting with security tape.
In terms of size, the weight of the construction material can mitigate larger size ballot boxes made of durable materials; no such restriction applies to cardboard ballot boxes. These can be produced in a range of sizes, from the very compact and easily portable (for use by mobile voting stations) to large floor standing models that allow a single ballot box to be used for voting stations servicing large numbers of voters.
Appropriate Materials
The effectiveness of ballot boxes is not necessarily in the strength of the material or the size of the lock. Lightweight cardboard ballot boxes when sealed properly offer no less security or transparency than those made of durable materials. When considering their lower transport costs, negligible storage and maintenance costs, and flexibility as to size, they are more cost-effective. They may not be suitable for some environments, however, particularly in wet or very humid conditions (though similarly lightweight, disposable corrugated plastic ballot boxes can be).
For examples of specifications for cardboard ballot boxes, see Ballot Box - New Zealand 1996, Ballot Box, Special Votes - New Zealand 1996, Cardboard Ballot Box, Small - Australia 1996 (small), Cardboard Ballot Box, Large - Australia 1996 (large).
Durable Ballot Boxes
Where durable ballot boxes are used, proper maintenance is important:
- in ensuring that they are all retrieved from voting stations;
- that regular stocktakes are undertaken;
- that they are regularly inspected in storage;
- necessary repairs are made or replacements obtained.
Ballot Box Quantities
Quantities of ballot boxes required at each voting station will depend on a number of factors in the legal and procedural framework. Significant amongst these are:
- the number of voters expected;
- the size of the ballot;
- the capacity of the ballot box;
- the number of different ballots to be completed or separate elections being held simultaneously;
- whether the voting station is split into different polling streams for different polling subdivisions.
In general, keeping the number of ballot boxes to be dealt with at a voting station to a minimum is the most practicable course. However, where there are different polling subdivision voting streams in one voting station, separate ballot boxes for each polling subdivision are necessary to allow effective reconciliations of voting materials. Also, where simultaneous elections are being held, separate ballot boxes for ballots for each election would be usual. While this has no real bearing on integrity, it can save time at the start of ballot counts. Where voter numbers are low, a single ballot box could be used.
Unique Identification of Ballot Boxes
Where ballots are to be transported to separate counting centres, it is essential that unique identification codes be clearly marked on each ballot box and recorded before delivery to the voting station. Such unique coding can also be necessary when counting takes place at the voting station, especially if otherwise unidentified ballot boxes are used for different elections or polling subdivisions ballots in the voting station.
Seals For Ballot Boxes
Tamper-proof sealing of ballot boxes is one of the basic guarantees of voting integrity. Ballot boxes must be sealed from the commencement of voting through to their opening, after the close of voting, for removal of ballot boxes for the count. Where ballot boxes are also used as the container for transporting accountable materials to the voting station and from the count back to the electoral management body, they will also need to be sealed for these shipments.
One method of sealing ballot boxes could be a uniquely numbered keyed lock or locks. It is appropriate to seal, with a paper seal, wax, or some other method, over the keyhole of each lock when it is affixed to the ballot box. Another method could be uniquely numbered plastic or nylon security tied seals. Numbered plastic security tied seals are effective and generally more practicable. Whether plastic security ties or traditional locks are used, these are accountable items that should be maintained securely, and their use on each ballot box used in voting stations accurately recorded. Where disposable ballot boxes are used, assembly joins may be further secured by the use of security tape.
The quantities of seals required will depend on the number and design of ballot boxes. Durable ballot boxes would normally have two sealing points, on a hinged lid and on a sealing slide on the slot. Designs for disposable ballot boxes of two-piece construction (separate lid) would normally have four sealing points (at each top corner). Those of single piece construction (fold-down lid) would have two sealing points. Sufficient seals must be on hand in each voting station to cover all sealing points for all required sealing and re-sealing of the boxes.
