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Drop boxes are trusted ballot return options.

Drop boxes are secure locations where you can safely submit a completed mail ballot. They are put in place by government officials and are often under 24-hour surveillance. Only election officials can access a ballot once it’s placed in a drop box.

Using an official drop box can be a more reliable option when there are concerns about the time it may take a ballot to go through the U.S. Postal Service. A ballot submitted to an official drop box before the deadline will reach an election official in time to be counted.

Election officials in many states have expanded the availability of ballot drop boxes ahead of the 2020 presidential election. Check with your local elections office to confirm whether or not official drop boxes are available in your area.

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission issued guidance on how states can keep drop boxes secure. All official drop boxes should have a lock or tamper-evident seal and be subject to staff monitoring or video surveillance.

Official ballot drop boxes provided by government representatives are secure and reliable. When in doubt, you can confirm official drop box locations with your local elections office. If a voter submits more than one mail ballot or tries to vote in person after already voting by mail, only one ballot will be counted.

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