Lincoln County commissioners debate restricting remote ballot drop boxes; resolution to be drafted

Lincoln County commissioners spent the bulk of their Feb. 18 meeting debating whether to remove or limit remote ballot drop boxes in Troy and Libby, and asked staff to draft a resolution formalizing proposed changes and return the item to the March 4 agenda.

The discussion began after the chair summarized a county attorney e-mail that, in the chair’s reading, suggested the statutory language governing ‘‘places of deposit’’ may require boxes to be manned only on election day. The chair said fully staffing the three remote locations for the entire mail-in period would cost about $18,680 for the primary election. That estimate, and uncertainty over state statutory interpretation, prompted the commissioners to consider closing some remote boxes or restricting staffing to election day only.

Commissioners and staff described operational burdens at some remote sites. The elections office reported an election judge who worked 13 hours during a prior election-day staffing period and faced limited restroom access and difficulty navigating secure dispatch areas, and staff said some counties have removed remote drop boxes to cut that burden.

Public commenters split on the issue. Tony, a member of the public, said removing remote boxes would ‘‘eliminate another layer of opportunity for ballot stuffing, fraudulent entries, tampering,’’ and supported removal to reduce perceived risk. By contrast, Mayor Boswell of Troy told the commission, “I do not support the removal of the ballot box in Troy,” calling it a convenience for local residents and noting that 106 ballots were collected there during the last election-cycle period when boxes were limited to election day. Brian Barryman said removing the box would particularly inconvenience elderly residents and people who distrust mail delivery.

Mrs. Ralph, an election judge, urged reducing remote boxes, saying they pull police resources to transport ballots because elections staff cannot leave processing duties and that some remote boxes are lightly used. Amanda, a county staff member, noted the Libby lobby provides 24/7 access that is convenient to voters who work daytime hours, but agreed staffing pressures merit consideration of alternatives.

Rather than take immediate final action, a commissioner moved to close the Troy box on election day (leaving it open other times), close the Libby remote box and move its function to the elections office, and leave the Eureka box as-is; the commission asked staff to draft a resolution specifying exact locations and hours and to bring it back for formal consideration on March 4 so the elections administrator can attend.

Next steps: staff will prepare a resolution describing the proposed closures and election-day staffing plan and place the item on the March 4 agenda for final action. The commission did not adopt a final policy at the Feb. 18 meeting.