The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday, July 9, to install wireless cameras at ballot drop box locations across the county in the name of election security. The item was passed as part of the board's 52-item consent agenda, which is meant to include non-controversial items that don't require additional discussion by the board.
"The county is interested in securing election integrity in any and all aspects of the voting process, including ballot box security," Third District Supervisor Dawn Rowe, who also serves as the board's chairperson, said after the meeting.
Installing and maintaining the cameras will cost an estimated $220,078 the first year, according to a report prepared for the board, and $44,938 every year thereafter. A contractor for the work was not announced on Tuesday.
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There are more than 70 ballot drop box locations throughout San Bernardino County, which is physically the largest county in the United States. Some of the locations already had cameras monitoring ballot drop-offs.
"About half of San Bernardino County's official mail ballot drop boxes were placed in locations monitored by existing cameras," San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters Stephanie Shea wrote in an email Tuesday. "By regulation, cameras for drop boxes are suggested but not required. Due to comments and concerns from the public about the need for cameras at all locations, we will begin installing cameras next week at drop boxes located on county properties."
But it'll take some time to get all locations monitored by cameras, as that will require discussions with private property owners. The process probably won't be finished in time for the Nov. 5 general election.
"We cannot predict how long it will take to get the necessary approvals for sites not owned by the county, so unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the timing for all camera installations," Shea wrote. "However, the Registrar of Voters is committed to this project even if it extends beyond the 2024 General Election."
But Tuesday's vote is seen as a win by Cathy Lara. Two years ago, as the San Bernardino County GOP's director of election integrity, she expressed concerns over the integrity of the 2022 elections, echoing concerns expressed by supporters of former president Donald Trump after he lost the 2020 presidential election.
"I am thrilled that after many people going in and speaking to the Board of Supervisors as well as (numerous) emails, they have finally decided to take election integrity seriously and are taking a step forward to secure it," said Lara, who now advocates for election security for the California Republican Assembly.
© 2024 the San Bernardino County Sun (San Bernardino, Calif.). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
