Madison City Clerk activated 14 ballot drop boxes July 21 | The Locally Times
Madison City Clerk activated 14 ballot drop boxes July 21
Madison election officials activated 14 ballot drop boxes on July 21, 2026, for the August 11, 2026, primary election. Voters may return absentee ballots to these sites, by mail, or in person at the City Clerk’s Office or designated in-person absentee voting locations. ## Security and Chain of Custody The City Clerk’s Office requires two sworn election officials to retrieve ballots from each of the 14 locations daily. These officials place collected ballots into containers secured with tamper-evident seals and record the transfer on a chain-of-custody form. Staff at the City Clerk’s Office verify these documents and sort the ballots for processing on Election Day. The records do not specify the street addresses of the drop boxes or the operating hours for each site. ## Voter Requirements To count an absentee ballot, voters must seal the certificate envelope and include a voter signature, a witness signature, the printed name of the witness, and the witness’s full address. Failure to complete these fields may result in the disqualification of the ballot. The city does not provide a map or list of the 14 drop box locations in the July 21 announcement, and the records do not detail security protocols for the ballot sorting process. ## Election Deadlines The August 11, 2026, primary election is the next scheduled event for the city. Voters who requested absentee ballots should receive them in the coming days. The City Clerk’s Office manages ballot status inquiries and voting procedures. ## Key Questions **How can I ensure my absentee ballot is counted?** After sealing the ballot in the certificate envelope, you must complete the voter signature, witness signature, witness name, and witness address fields before submission. **Who handles the ballots collected from drop boxes?** Two sworn election officials retrieve the ballots daily, secure them in containers with tamper-evident seals, and document the transfer on a chain-of-custody form.