Election security can call to mind images of cybersecurity and hacked emails. But when it comes to protecting the vote, it’s just as top-of-mind comes down to protect paper ballots.

That was especially true in 2020, as a new system of absentee voting during the pandemic had officials changing plans. One addition offered a way to submit ballots that didn’t require showing up in person or sending them through a challenged postal service.

“A major part of the project was the use of ballot dropboxes instead of trying to rely 100% on USPS, and it turned out those dropboxes were a major factor in the success of our election, said David Garreis, deputy director of the Anne Arundel County Board of Elections. “More people used those than the USPS mail system to return ballots.”

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