Chelmsford Increasing Police Patrols At Ballot Drop Boxes

CHELMSFORD, MA — The Town Clerk's office is working with the police department to keep an eye on the Chelmsford ballot drop box behind town hall. Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin asked communities to step up security after a ballot box was set ablaze in Boston on Sunday.

Town Clerk Patricia Dzuris said the town was increasing police presence and adding additional security lighting.

"The police will have an increased presence," Dzuris said. "The building is well lit outside and we have the box covered by surveillance cameras. The drop box is emptied frequently and we are here at least 12-15 hours a day before Election Day."

This week Boston police arrested a man accused of starting a ballot box fire downtown. The fire destroyed about 35 of the more than 100 ballots inside, according to the Secretary of the Commonwealth's office.

The fire also prompted Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin to tell local election officials to improve security around ballot boxes, including making sure the ballot boxes are empty and locked on Halloween.

In Framingham, police officers have been stationed at the city's drop boxes.

Galvin and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh called the Boston ballot fire a "disgrace to democracy" in a joint statement.

"Our first and foremost priority is maintaining the integrity of our elections process and ensuring transparency and trust with our voters, and any effort to undermine or tamper with that process must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," the said in the statement. "We ask voters not to be intimidated by this bad act, and remain committed to making their voices heard in this and every election."