SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Fires were started at two ballot boxes – one in Portland, Oregon, and the other in Vancouver, Washington – resulting in the destruction of hundreds of ballots.

With just a week until Election Day, 2News investigated the security measures in place to protect ballot boxes in Utah.

In Utah, state law requires video surveillance of all unattended ballot drop boxes.

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This law, intended to prevent such incidents, requires that these boxes be monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to ensure that any suspicious activity is recorded.

“I can fill it out at home, I live nearby in the neighborhood, check a few boxes,” Jessica Gabbitas, a Salt Lake County voter, said of the ease of automated voting.

When shown footage of the burning of ballot boxes in Vancouver, Washington, Gabbitas said, “It’s insane. »

This election is the third in which voter Alexander Alguire has been able to participate, and he is more determined than ever to vote.

“Honestly, why can’t we just have a normal election? That would be nice,” Alguire said.

In 2022, Utah updated its laws to require video surveillance of every unmanned ballot box.

Sen. Dan McCay, D-District 18, was the bill’s sponsor in the Senate, emphasizing its role in building public trust.

“This is an opportunity for the public to have more transparency,” McCay said. “I truly believe that cameras installed at the polls will help deter any nefarious activity. »

Additionally, every ballot box in Utah has a label informing voters of its surveillance status, reminding citizens of the state’s commitment to election security.

McCay believes that securing ballot boxes is essential to building trust in the electoral process.

“If the public cannot trust the results, you will not have a government that has the credibility or support of the people,” he said.

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