Ballot Buddies Provide Ballot Security

Two poll workers are involved in nearly every process at the polls. Leading up to Election Day, the City Clerk’s Office has two people involved whenever absentee envelopes are handled. When working with ballots, Clerk’s Office personnel always make sure they have a “ballot buddy.”

• At least two officials – Clerk’s Office staff and poll workers – are involved in the mailing of absentee ballots.
• Teams of two poll workers empty the ballot drop boxes daily and secure the absentees in courier bags with tamper-evident seals.
• Two Clerk’s Office staff or election Chief Inspectors accept the delivery of absentee ballots from couriers and verify the unique serial number on each tamper-evident seal.
• Teams of two poll workers, called Special Voting Deputies, bring absentee ballots to voters in nursing homes and care facilities.
• At least two officials – Clerk’s Office staff and poll workers – are involved in sorting absentee envelopes by ward.
• At least two officials – Clerk’s Office staff and poll workers – seal packs of absentee ballots for delivery to the polls.

The goal of the City Clerk’s Office is that each eligible voter will be able to cast a ballot and have that ballot counted.