Ballot Containers with Zippers: This News You Can Use provides mandatory direction for communities that use ballot containers with zippers.  Please read this information carefully and take the required steps to correct the deficiency in the ballot containers.

Over the last several years many jurisdictions have purchased ballot containers that are secured by pulling two zippers together and running the seal through eyelets that overlap when the zippers are pulled together.  Instructions for properly sealing this type of container can be accessed on the Bureau's website (click on "interlocking zippers"): http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127-1633_11976-251495--,00.html.

Experience has shown that many election workers incorrectly seal these containers by running the seal through the holes in the two zipper pulls.  This does not provide an acceptable level of ballot security as the two zippers can still be pulled apart ? allowing for the insertion or removal of ballots from the container without breaking the seal or damaging the container.  Containers sealed in this manner are deemed "not recountable" when presented at a recount. 

To promote the proper sealing of such ballot containers, several options are available:

• Place shrink tubing over the zipper pulls.  When heat is applied the tubing shrinks tightly around the zipper pulls, eliminating the hole.
• Apply a pop rivet in the zipper pull holes.  This will effectively plug the zipper holes.
• Wrap duct tape around the zipper pulls to eliminate the holes.

It is important that all jurisdictions that use interlocking zipper ballot containers apply one of these methods to block access to the holes on the zipper pulls prior to the next election conducted in the jurisdiction.  If you have an election on Tuesday, May 3rd, this must be done before the election.

Shrink tubing is available from ElectionSource by calling 1-888-742-8037. 

Pop rivets are available from GBS by calling 1-888-640-8683. 

Both vendors have indicated that they have already supplied these products to a number of jurisdictions at no cost.  We have also ordered quantities of these products, but will not have them before next Tuesday.  If you have a May 3^rd election and have not received either of these products from a vendor, you must use duct tape to cover the zipper holes.

Being able to conduct recounts is critical to the integrity of the elections process.  Fixing all interlocking zipper ballot containers so that election workers properly seal them is an easy way to eliminate a possible non-recountability problem.