Ballot Box Security
 | Author:
Nancy Marks
Nancy Marks: MT43 News Secretary and News Editor |
Security, Safety Are Election Watchwords
Ballot security and public safety were primary concerns of Broadwater County Clerk and Recorder Angie Paulsen as she prepared for next Tuesday’s general election.
In an interview with MT43 News, Paulsen noted that threats have been made against election judges across the state, so it is now against the law to carry a firearm into a polling place.
And, she said, “We provide sheriff’s deputies at the polling places to keep things safe.”
She also spoke in detail about procedures used to safeguard the voting process and the security of ballots. For example, the tabulating machines that count the votes at the polling places are not connected to the internet, so no outside source can tamper with the ballots, she said. Paulsen expects poll watchers from both the Republican and Democratic parties to show up. “We encourage poll watchers to view what goes on at the polling place, to ensure transparency in the procedure,” she said. Each poll watcher must sign in and wear a valid identification badge. They cannot carry audio or video equipment or a cell phone nor cause interference with loud talking or campaigning. The precinct chief election judge determines how closely a poll watcher can be to the proceeding.
Paulsen said she trains about 30 citizens to serve as election judges. They are paid $10 an hour, chief judges get $10.50. They can be expected to work about 16 hours straight, starting at 6 a.m. and finishing up at about 10 p.m. The training and voting operations follow state law. It’s a big job and a long day for the judges, Paulsen said. After tabulations are completed at the polling places, the ballots are taken in sealed containers to the Clerk and Recorders office in the courthouse.
An additional step to ensure vote integrity is provided by a random post-election audit directed by the office of the Montana secretary of state. Paulsen emphasized the importance of safe and secure polling. “Although 80 percent of Broadwater County voters vote by absentee ballots in early voting, we want to assure in-person voters we have security from start to finish,” she said. She thanked the county sheriff’s office for its assistance.
The precinct locations are Townsend School Library Community Room for voters who live in Precincts 7, 11 and 12. Precinct 1 voters will go to the Winston Firehall. Precinct 13 voters go to the Toston Firehall. The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters not already registered may do so at the courthouse until 8 p.m. on election day.
For questions, call Clerk and Recorder’s office at 406-266-3405.
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