Pratt County commissioners voted 3-0 to buy two lockable security cases for election equipment to improve chain-of-custody and overnight storage ahead of the general election. The purchase through Uline will cost $3,106.78, including shipping, and commissioners approved using the countyiled special equipment line to pay for it.

The purchase was presented as a way to keep electronic ballot markers and other machinery contained for transport and storage so staff can apply seals, maintain a signed chain of custody and roll equipment out in a single cart. "Any machinery that needs to be secured and is supposed to have a chain of custody in place for it would be placed inside of this," the elections staff member said during the discussion.

Staff told commissioners the Uline cases are smaller and will fit current courthouse doorways better than vendor-supplied crates and are less expensive than buying through an elections vendor. The purchases are listed on the countyapital/special equipment list but were not previously approved; commissioners moved to authorize the purchase during the meeting.

The motion passed unanimously. Commissioners did not attach additional conditions to the purchase; staff said grant funding opportunities may be available later but open in September.

Background: County staff described common practice in other counties of using locked cases for transport and overnight storage to maintain seals and chain-of-custody. No change to election procedures or equipment inventory was reported at the meeting.