Bill > A5565

Introduced Session

This bill, which is designated as the "Election Integrity Through Drop Box and Canvassing Security Act," requires video surveillance and recording of mail-in ballot drop boxes and counting of voted mail-in ballots. Under current law, a ballot drop box is required to be placed at locations equipped with security cameras that allow for surveillance of the ballot drop box. The bill requires video recording of ballot drop boxes and for the respective county board of elections to include a live stream or recording of the ballot drop boxes on its website. The bill defines a "live stream" as the live audio and video transmission of content over a county board of election's Internet website to a public audience. Under current law, the Secretary of State, in consultation with county boards of elections, is required to establish the guidelines necessary to maintain the security of ballot drop boxes and of the ballots deposited therein, including standards and procedures for ballot retrieval by authorized persons only and for ensuring the proper chain of custody and safe storage of voted mail-in ballots before each election. The bill requires the use of standardized logs, to be made available to the public on the website of the respective county board of elections, documenting the chain of custody and safe storage of the ballots. The logs made available to the public will not include any information that may compromise the security of the ballots. The bill also requires each county board of elections to use video cameras to monitor and record the canvassing of the mail-in ballots; provided, however, that the video monitoring will not compromise the secrecy of the ballots. The county board will implement measures as may be necessary to ensure the continued secrecy of the mail-in ballots. In other states, video recordings have provided clues and evidence of improper and potentially illegal activity in the handling and submission of ballots via drop box. Also, in other states, there have been allegations of interference with monitors authorized to observe canvassing. This bill is intended to the help ensure confidence in the State's election procedures related to the collection of mail-in ballots from drop boxes and the canvassing of mail-in ballots.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Alex Sauickie (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee (on 09/24/2026)

Bill Topics

Official Document