How King County Elections plans to protect your ballot

When Aaliyah Williams spotted a ballot drop box in Columbia City, she immediately  questioned if it will be secure.

"It's very important, if it's not secure there's a whole bunch of things that could happen," Williams said.

With Donald Trump making unsubstantiated claims about a rigged election, protecting ballots is suddenly top of mind.

"I really think Washington State is a leader in secure and accurate elections," said King County Elections Director Julie Wise.

She assured the county's 43 drop boxes, which opened Thursday, are secure.

"Those boxes are steel tanks," Wise said. "They are made by a company called Vote Armor, literally in the business of making ballot drop boxes."

Wise said the 1,000 pound boxes are attached to concrete pads with long screws, and have multiple security seals.

On Election Day, and the day before, Wise said a police or security officer will be stationed outside each box.

Inside election headquarters in Renton, access to the tabulation computer is tightly controlled with biometrics.

Cameras are everywhere. There are 22 for security and another five that can be viewed by anyone live on the internet.

Ballots are locked in cages.

A spokesman for the United States Postal Service told KIRO 7 all mail is treated with respect, with security a top consideration.

Asked whether it is more secure for voters to use a drop box or put their ballot in the mail, Wise answered, "I think they're both equally secure."

Cox Media Group