Clark County: Ballots stored offline with bipartisan oversight

Clark County election officials in Indiana are keeping voting systems physically separated from the internet and rotating access passwords multiple times a day to secure early ballots.

These measures coincide with a surge in in-person early voting across the state, where several counties are reporting turnout levels approaching all-time highs.

Inside the Clark County Voter Registration Office, ballots are stored in a secure area just down the hall from where voters line up.

Angela Cornett, a staff member involved in the process, explained that the security protocol requires coordination among the 20 people with access to the systems.

Cornett stated that any attempt to manipulate the data would require all 20 individuals to agree on the same action, a step she described as difficult due to the bipartisan nature of the team.

Voting machines in the county are not connected to the internet. Results from precincts are saved onto flash drives on election day and hand-delivered to the clerk’s office.

Before election day, every in-person and mailed-in ballot is inspected by representatives from both major political parties.

Cornett said one Democrat and one Republican mark a specific box to verify the ballot inspection.

Local voters have mixed feelings about the security of the process.

Michelle Clemons, who voted early for the first time with her husband Jim Cox, expressed concern about the safety of the election.

Clemons said she worried that ballots could be taken, citing events in Georgia as a point of comparison.

Cox offered a contrasting view, stating he feels the elections are secure and that doubt is often used to discourage voters from casting their ballots.