ELECTIONS

Here’s how Salt Lake County ballot boxes are protected from fire

Oct 29, 2024, 3:00 PM

A woman casts her ballot at a drop box at the Salt Lake County Government Center on Monday Oct. 28,...

A woman casts her ballot at a drop box at the Salt Lake County Government Center on Monday Oct. 28, 2024.

SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake County Clerk Lannie Chapman didn’t mince words when asked about ballot boxes recently set on fire in Washington and Oregon.

“This is a direct attack on our democracy,” she told KSL NewsRadio on Tuesday. “This is trying to dissuade people from having their voices heard.”

“Incendiary devices” were set off at drop boxes in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington on Monday according to the Associated Press.

Can it happen here?

Chapman said the state of Utah, and Salt Lake County specifically, have implemented multiple safeguards at ballot boxes. 

“We have surveillance cameras on every single drop box,” she said.  “… I have law enforcement that picks up from our drop boxes due to the nature of this election. I’m picking up every single day, that includes Sunday.”

“Furthermore, I have fire suppressant mechanisms inside the drop box.” (Hundreds of ballots were burnt despite a fire suppression system in the Vancouver ballot box.)

How Utah voters know if their ballots have been counted

The state offers a webpage that gives Utah residents multiple ways to keep track of their ballot, once it’s mailed.

“If you go to vote.utah.gov, any voter can look up to see if their ballot was counted,” said Director of Elections with the Utah Lieutenant Governor’s office, Ryan Cowley.

“There’s a red banner at the top that lets you track your ballot. You can sign up to get text and email notifications.”

When a ballot is being mailed out, returned, or challenged a voter would receive a push, according to Cowley.

What if it did happen here?

Despite law enforcement patrols and cameras, if someone set fire to a ballot box, Cowley said the voter would not lose their chance to vote.

“If there was something that happened and some of the ballots were destroyed … the clerks will know when [the ballot box] was last collected. So they can [announce] ‘hey, at this location, if you put your ballot in from this point in time to that point in time, then you’ll need to be reissued a ballot.”

Related election reading:

 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Elections

(Ada County Clerks office) A county in Idaho is making all ballots public....

Alexandrea Bonilla

Idaho county publishing all of their 2024 ballots

A county in Idaho is making all ballots public. The clerk says it's an effort to be more transparent about the elections process.

2 months ago

The census-designated place, Eden in Weber County, will be turned into a new Utah city known as Ogd...

MIKE ANDERSON, KSL TV

Local input needed as Ogden Valley on path to become Utah’s newest city

People in the Ogden Valley have a little over a year to draw districts and elect a mayor and city council before the area becomes a new city.

3 months ago

The Utah County Clerk is defending his decision to disclose the voting method of several lawmakers....

Alexandrea Bonilla

Utah County Clerk defends decision to disclose voting method used by several lawmakers

The Utah County Clerk is defending how he decided to look at the voting method several lawmakers used to vote.

3 months ago

An election worker delivers ballots to the ballot processing room at the Maricopa County Tabulation...

Eric Cabrera

Utah ballot bill addressing postmark deadlines fails to advance

The ballot bill would have prevented counting mail-in ballots that arrive after polls close on Election Day.

3 months ago

vote tracking proposed law...

Don Brinkerhoff

Proposed bill would prevent people from tracking the method voters use to vote

A proposed Utah bill would prevent people from looking into what method someone used to cast their ballot when putting in their vote.

3 months ago

Annabelle Johnson votes at the Salt Lake County Government Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Nov...

Brigham Tomco, Deseret News

The future of Utah elections

Utah lawmakers are planning significant electoral reforms in the upcoming legislative session after the 2024 election cycle.

3 months ago

Sponsored Articles

Full speed through the snow. A man on skis is pulled by his through the snow at full gallop Skijori...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!

“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah.

the bedroom in a geodesic dome shows the night sky...

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon

Your front row to an extraordinary cosmos show

As America's first glass dome stargazing resort, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is one of the world’s most unique and spectacular places to stay.

2 people huddled up in a blanket and warm clothes sipping hot chocolate...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best ways to spend your Christmas vacation in Bear Lake

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, Bear Lake should definitely be on your radar. Read this guide for more!

big crowd of people under holiday lights in an outdoor market...

Western Nut

Our favorite family Christmas activities in Utah

We gathered up a list of our favorite activities, movies, and treats to try this holiday season that the whole family can enjoy.

an IT tech looks at a laptop in front of a server network...

Comcast Business

Tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks

Check out this resource from Comcast Business to learn more about phishing attacks and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one.

A surprise gift, wrapped and ready to bring holiday cheer! Whether for Christmas, a birthday, or an...

Western Nut

10 Holiday Gift Ideas to cover everyone on your list

This guide is for you if you need holiday gift ideas that will make a lasting impression. 

Here’s how Salt Lake County ballot boxes are protected from fire