San Diego ballot box abandoned on street for over a week after Election Day

A ballot drop box in San Diego County remained in place on a roadside for more than a week after the June 2 election, causing concern among residents about the security of their votes. Stephanie Melaney, a local resident, expressed alarm when she noticed the box still standing untouched near Hilton Head County Park in Rancho San Diego.

Melaney raised questions about whether ballots deposited in the box had been collected, prompting a response from the San Diego County Registrar of Voters. The Registrar’s Office reassured the public that all ballots had been securely retrieved on election night. The drop box had been available for use from May 5 to June 2 and was locked at 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Despite the assurance that the ballots were collected, the drop box remained in place for several days after the election. The Registrar’s Office explained that the box was empty and locked, secured with heavy-duty chains to prevent theft or tampering. While it is common for drop boxes to remain in place for a period after voting ends, the box in Rancho San Diego was scheduled to be removed on Friday.

Melaney believed the box should have been picked up immediately after the election and questioned its location near a park entrance rather than a more heavily trafficked public building. However, the Registrar’s Office defended the placement, stating that all drop boxes comply with accessibility requirements and security standards.

The same drop box site is expected to return for San Diego County’s upcoming general election on November 3. Despite the concerns raised by residents, election officials maintain that the security and integrity of the ballot drop boxes are of utmost importance in ensuring a fair and transparent voting process.