Comment Re:Biden will lose badly (Score 1) 247
3017. (a) All vote by mail ballots cast under this division shall be voted on or before the day of the election. After marking the ballot, the vote by mail voter shall do any of the following: (1) return the ballot by mail or in person to the elections official from whom it came, (2) return the ballot in person to a member of a precinct board at a polling place within the jurisdiction, or (3) return the ballot to the elections official from whom it came at a vote by mail ballot drop-off location, if provided pursuant to Section 3025. However, a vote by mail voter who is unable to return the ballot may designate any person to return the ballot to the elections official from whom it came or to the precinct board at a polling place within the jurisdiction. The ballot must, however, be received by either the elections official from whom it came or the precinct board before the close of the polls on election day. (b) The elections official shall establish procedures to ensure the secrecy of a ballot returned to a precinct polling place and the security, confidentiality, and integrity of any personal information collected, stored, or otherwise used pursuant to this section.
(Emphasis added) Note that the "elections official" is allowed to determine the procedures under that section. If the elections official (in most counties, the county clerk) doesn't allow third party receptacles, they aren't allowed. The procedure in my county (LA) requires that the vote write the name of the person designated, and their relationship to that person. The person must also sign the envelope as well. This procedure is impossible with a 3rd party drop box. Additionally, note that dropoff locations must comply with section 3025. Here is section 3025:
3025.(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings: (1) “Vote by mail ballot drop box” means a secure receptacle established by a county or city and county elections official whereby a voted vote by mail ballot may be returned to the elections official from whom it was obtained. (2) “Vote by mail ballot drop-off location” means a location consisting of a secured vote by mail ballot drop box at which a voted vote by mail ballot may be returned to the elections official from whom it was obtained. (b) On or before January 1, 2017, the Secretary of State shall promulgate regulations establishing guidelines based on best practices for security measures and procedures, including, but not limited to, chain of custody, pick-up times, proper labeling, and security of vote by mail ballot drop boxes, that a county elections official may use if the county elections official establishes one or more vote by mail ballot drop-off locations.
(Emphasis added) Note that in (b) law specifically states that the proper labeling and handling of drop boxes is determined by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State has said private drop boxes aren't allowed, thus, they aren't.
