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Kane County commissioners debate adding 24/7 ballot drop boxes in remote areas
Summary
Commissioners and elections staff discussed expanding 24/7 ballot drop boxes to remote communities, weighing accessibility against security and federal‑property rules for placement at post offices; no decision was made and staff will continue site evaluation.
Commissioners at a Nov. 19 Kane County special meeting discussed expanding ballot drop‑box access in remote communities after elections staff reported problems with late or undeliverable ballots in mountain areas.
Heather Naramore, the county’s elections specialist, said the county requires secure, lit and camera‑monitored locations for 24/7 drop boxes and noted potential federal‑property restrictions on placing boxes directly at U.S. Postal Service sites. "It might be a conflict of interest... It's federal property," she said, explaining some limitations on post‑office placement.
An unnamed commissioner said the county regretted not placing a box earlier in a remote area where residents now face a long drive to the nearest drop location. "I feel like I made a mistake when we decided not to put one," the speaker said, and commissioners cited Iron County as an example of a neighboring jurisdiction that had added interior and exterior boxes to increase accessibility.
Participants discussed alternative sites that meet security and lighting requirements — including a local fire station and a special‑district property with lighting and cameras — and emphasized that any new site must allow 24‑hour access while meeting surveillance and safety standards.
No formal action was taken at the meeting; commissioners agreed to review the official results and continue evaluating potential sites and security options before making any placement decisions.
