http://www.oregonvotes.org/doc...
I don't actually see any mention of them adding a voter ID number or tracking number to my ballot when they open it from the secret ballot envelope (process is described starting on page 35).
The return envelope is what contains the tracking information about the unique nature of the ballot associating it me. If they issue me a new ballot, the unique number on my associated return envelope that they had on file in invalidated and they issue me a new one. If that earlier ballot does show up, it is not considered valid and is rejected.
So no: there is no unique markings on my ballot that indicate that it is mine, they do all of the verification to ensure they do not receive duplicate ballots prior to opening the secret envelope. There are even procedures on what to do if there are multiple ballots in the same envelop.
Because I live in a sane state
I don't see it hard that the ballots which do have unique numbers can be added to a presorted envelop destined for be without actually tracking that ballot ID #123456 was put in envelop destined for voter #654321. It is the job of a dumb automatic mail stuffer machine, pulling from a pile of ballots already listed as 'valid' to insert into an envelope that comes down the ramp.
Here's the thing: the uniqueness of the ballot is ensured by the return envelop anyway. You don't get to mail in a ballot in a non certified envelop. A ballot that isn't in a valid return envelop doesn't get counted.
As for auditing and controlling this process: these are central county locations, so the efforts to monitor and control them are much easier than trying to track the movements of ballot collectors moving things from the polls to the county courthouses. Do you follow the truck full of ballots all the way to courthouse to ensure it gets delivered?
Maybe to ensure your ballot boxes aren't tampered with when they leave the polling location, you should have a group of highly screened and monitored staff transport the contents of the secret ballot boxes from the remote location to the court house. To ensure they aren't politically motivated or just volunteers who show up last minute, maybe we should employ them year round and also have them transport smaller packages and services for people in the interim. And have serious monitoring, fines, and federal processes for dealing with tampering with those packages, instead of leaving it to the local election officials.
Oh wait, that is exactly what USPS is doing for me here in Oregon.
Here's the thing: the uniqueness of the ballot is ensured by the return envelop anyway. You don't get to mail in a ballot in a non certified envelop. A ballot that isn't in a valid return envelop doesn't get counted.
As for auditing and controlling this process: these are central county locations, so the efforts to monitor and control them are much easier than trying to track the movements of ballot collectors moving things from the polls to the county courthouses. Do you follow the truck full of ballots all the way to courthouse to ensure it gets delivered?
Maybe to ensure your ballot boxes aren't tampered with when they leave the polling location, you should have a group of highly screened and monitored staff transport the contents of the secret ballot boxes from the remote location to the court house. To ensure they aren't politically motivated or just volunteers who show up last minute, maybe we should employ them year round and also have them transport smaller packages and services for people in the interim. And have serious monitoring, fines, and federal processes for dealing with tampering with those packages, instead of leaving it to the local election officials.
Oh wait, that is exactly what USPS is doing for me here in Oregon.
1) 'secret' envelope that contains my ballot, with no identifying marks on it.
2) return envelope, that contains the secret envelope, which has the associated barcode and my name on it, which I sign before mailing or posting at a ballot drop box.
I don't have to take a day off from work to wait in lines, I don't have to make sure my name is listed appropriately, or be intimidated by misinformed poll volunteers.