In Phoenix, Arizona, a secure facility with armed guards is bustling with the sound of democracy as ballots are printed, sorted, stuffed, and shipped. The Runbeck Election Services facility near the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is responsible for printing about 35 million ballots for counties in eight states for the November election. These states include Arizona, Nevada, California, Colorado, Texas, Utah, Florida, and Illinois. According to Jeff Ellington, CEO of Runbeck, the facility prints exactly what the counties ask for without over-printing anything. By the time voting ends on November 5, the facility will have used approximately 6,000 miles of paper to print up to 1.5 million ballots a day, enough to fill 51 semi-trucks, and weighing about the same as two Boeing 747s. Runbeck takes a picture of each ballot and checks it for thickness, making it difficult to replicate.
Each ballot has specific requirements in terms of paper type, thickness, and color, as well as design and layout, due to various tabulating machines and ballot styles in different counties. For instance, Maricopa County in Arizona has around 15,000 different ballot styles. Additionally, every single ballot is tracked throughout the process to ensure the security and integrity of the election. According to David Becker, CBS News elections expert and political contributor, 95% of all voters in the upcoming election, including those in battleground states, will vote on paper ballots, which are considered auditable and verifiable. Runbeck, which operates in 30 states and Washington, D.C., has been focusing more on election security, including selling panic buttons to counties to ensure the safety of poll workers in the face of threats.
As the November election approaches, the focus on election security becomes increasingly crucial. Runbeck has started selling panic buttons to counties to address the concerns and protect poll workers. About 1,000 panic buttons have been sold so far, which can alert 911 when pressed. This added layer of security aims to protect individuals involved in the election process and ensure smooth operation on election day. With threats and concerns surrounding election security on the rise, it is essential to take proactive measures to safeguard the voting process and ensure that every vote counts. By tracking each ballot and maintaining stringent security protocols, Runbeck and similar election services companies play a vital role in upholding the integrity of democratic elections in the United States.
