Whiteside, Ogle counties install ballot drop boxes

Secure ballot drop-off boxes are in place at the Whiteside and Ogle county courthouses for voters not wanting to return ballots by mail.

The Whiteside ballot box, which cost around $800, was installed in late September near the north entrance of the Whiteside County Courthouse, 200 E. Knox St., in Morrison.

Whiteside County Clerk Dana Nelson said the box is monitored at all times by video surveillance and is chained and locked to a bench. She empties it twice a day, in the morning and in the late afternoon, and counts and processes the ballots inside the clerk's office.

At least 400 ballots have been deposited so far into the box, Nelson said, adding that she expects many more as Nov. 3 approaches.

"[Voters] are utilizing the ballot box very well during the day," Nelson said. "We expected a healthy response, and so far we've seen that."

The Ogle box is located by the west doors of the Ogle County Courthouse, 105 S. Fifth St., in Oregon.

"Installing the drop box at the courthouse is another step the County Clerk’s Office is taking to ensure the ballots are returned to our office before the election day deadline," Ogle County Clerk Laura Cook said. "Ballots placed in the drop box will be collected twice daily by the election staff and stamped as received."

Voters should make sure their ballots are sealed in the certification envelope with their signature and date before putting them in the box or mail, Cook said.

She also encouraged voters to apply for their ballot immediately to ensure adequate turnaround. The deadline for applying for a vote-by-mail ballot is Oct. 29.

Ballots must be postmarked no later than Nov 3 to be accepted, and properly postmarked ballots will be accepted through Nov. 17.