Township officials recently invested $22,000 in increased technology and security by equipping each box with four surveillance cameras, including one inside the box's delivery door. Two of boxes contain cameras that are solar powered, with support from federal election security money.
Kim Meltzer, the township clerk, said ring cameras were formerly used on the ballot boxes, but the new cameras provide better visuals and sharper quality.
"People are demanding higher integrity of the election process," she said. "For the new cameras, you can capture license plates of each vehicles. You can see the cars much better. It's a great tool to deliver the voice of the people."
To alert voters they are being photographed, each ballot box contains a cheeky message telling them "smile you're on camera" installed on a sign.
The cameras are installed by RSI Audio Video Security in Armada, which initially built the system for a carnival for employee theft and later developed one for the ballot box. The company's clients include Jet's Pizza and Detroit's Eastern Market.
Owner Bob Jenkins said he's received interest in the technology for ballot box cameras from Goodland and and Washington townships.
Meltzer's "big thing was transparency in the election process. If she has any questions on people dropping off ballots, you've got a a picture of the vehicle and we can catch the license plate," Jenkins said.
Township officials will not know who is voting whom, but video evidence of tampering, stealing, or overly stuffing the drop box would be turned over to police.
Business is booming for RSI — the company has clients booked nine week in advance, he added.
Data is stored both in the cloud and on a local hard drive. And the data can also be viewed on cell phones.
According to Meltzer, the township used federal election security grants to pay for the cameras.
Every Michigan community can access reimbursement dollars in the amount of $1,500 per precinct. The township has 42 precincts, which amounts to $62,000 in reimbursement money, The total cost of the cameras was $22,000, leaving Clinton Township available for additional security purchases.
© 2022 The Macomb Daily, Mount Clemens, Mich. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
