Election Resource Roundup: Ballot Processing and Chain of Custody (Week 9)

In preparation for the 2024 Presidential Election, The Elections Group teamed up with experts in the industry to highlight resources for election administrators. This weekly series showcased resources from The Elections Group, paired with resources from other organizations in the elections space. Every four weeks, we focused on a different topic, and we took a deeper dive into the resources available each week. Whether you’re a seasoned elections administrator looking for resources in the field, or if you’re new to the role, these maximum 30-minute sessions are a quick introduction to resources curated for you. 

The ninth Resource Roundup features The Election Group’s Inbound Mail Ballot Processing Guide, Mail Ballot Processing: Posters and Handouts, and Ballot Sorter Signs and Tags and the EAC’s Inbound Ballot Process guide.

• TEG’s InBound Mail Ballot Processing guide takes a comprehensive look at ballot processing, tracking ballots from intake to tally and archiving, providing election officials with process descriptions, tracking forms, supply lists and work roles. The guide is editable to match unique state and local needs and suitable for training staff or helping observers understand what they’re watching.
• Our Mail Ballot Processing Posters and Handouts illustrate the steps of mail ballot processing to make sure that observers are aware of each step in the process and can follow along in person as each process takes place. This template provides a clear guide on how ballots are processed in your jurisdiction.
• And finally, displaying signs, such as our Ballot Sorter Signs and Tags, to help describe equipment, operations and processes is a simple way to ensure that watchers and observers, media and others can easily follow along as ballots make their way through the sorting process.
• The Inbound Ballot Process guide from the EAC covers everything that takes place from the time ballots are brought back to the counting facility by ballot collection teams or delivered by USPS, until the ballots are permanently sealed in storage containers for the retention period. This includes ballot receiving, ballot verification, ballot preparation, ballot scanning, ballot tabulation, and post-election audits. One of the most important components of the inbound ballot process is having a system to track ballots as they move from one processing area to another to account for any changes in the overall quantity. This guide outlines considerations for a typical inbound ballot process in a high-volume mail ballot environment.

Listen to this episode, download the resources and implement them into your office today.