MACOMB TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Kristi Pozzi knows election security is at an all-time high.
In 2023, she was voted township clerk of the year in the state of Michigan.
“The clerk’s office and their staff, they’re committed to making sure the democratic process is followed,” Pozzi said.
The Macomb Township clerk gave Local 4 a behind-the-scenes look at the changes she’s made since taking office eight years ago. She is currently on the ballot running unopposed.
Pozzi revamped the town hall’s basement and turned it into an absentee counting room where very few have access to the area.
“We have approximately 60 volunteers in this room,” she said.
However, tabulation can only start eight days before election day.
When a voter drops off their ballot, election workers regularly collect them while using vests and collection bags which clearly mark them as employees of Macomb Township.
Next, the ballots are brought into a room where they’re sorted by precinct and will be run through high-speed date and time stamp machines, Pozzi explained.
The absentee ballots are processed into a qualified voter file which allows voters to see when Pozzi’s office received their ballots.
Voters can also securely track the status of their absentee ballot application and ballot on the Michigan Dept. of State’s website.
Ballots are secured in another room until tabulation begins, however the election team can only tally after 8 p.m. on election night.
Pozzi implemented new protocols for this general election including two-way radios.
“Should there be a cellular tower outage or any type of communication breakdown,” she said.
Also, election workers are now required to wear gloves and undergo Narcan training should they come across any powdery substance.
While there have always been laws on the books about voter intimidation, the state is cracking down especially hard ahead of this election. In fact, law enforcement agencies have been given booklets spelling out what’s enforceable and not.
At an undisclosed location, Pozzi shows Local 4 the tabulators that will be used on Election Day.
At a time when scrutiny looms over election workers, Pozzi welcomes it.
“I just feel that people really need to be aware that there are so many security measures and checks and balances that are designed to protect the election,” she said.
More: Election 2024 Coverage