Sonoma County Registrar Warns Of Unauthorized Ballot Drop Boxes

SONOMA COUNTY, CA— Sonoma County's Clerk-Recorder-Assessor-Registrar of Voters alerted voters Tuesday about recent reports in California of groups promoting unofficial ballot drop boxes that are not affiliated with county elections offices.

Sonoma County's Clerk-Recorder-Assessor-Registrar of Voters Deva Marie Proto said in some instances, these groups promoted their unauthorized ballot drop boxes as "official" or "secure."

"The use of unauthorized, non-official ballot drop boxes is prohibited by state law," Proto said.

At the same time, Proto reassured Sonoma County voters that the ballot drop box outside the Registrar of Voters Office in Santa Rosa is legitimate and staffed during business hours.

"Some voters have expressed concern that the individuals taking ballots outside of our office are scammers," Proto said. "This is absolutely not the case. They are official elections employees. The reason we are having them collect ballots outside is to minimize the number of people going in and out of our office during the COVID-19 pandemic."

The drop box outside the Registrar of Voters Office, 435 Fiscal Drive in Santa Rosa, is one of 20 official drops boxes in Sonoma County.

"Official county drop boxes are clearly recognizable, designed to meet state standards for security, and bear the official Sonoma County Registrar of Voters logo," the Registrar's Office said.

The Registrar's Office shared the below photos of two official ballot drop boxes.

"Depositing your ballot at an official drop box is very safe," Proto said. "Not only is each box physically secure, but we have strict chain of custody procedures in place requiring two ballot retrievers to unlock, count, document, and secure the ballots from each drop box on the team’s route."

Proto said law enforcement has been notified of the official box locations and is regularly monitoring them for any suspicious activity.

To report any concerns, call 707-565-6800, email rov-info@sonoma-county.org, or visit the Registrar of Voters Office in person at 435 Fiscal Drive, Santa Rosa, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.