How Connecticut Towns Can Secure Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes Before the 2025 Deadline

New Requirements for Ballot Box Video Surveillance—and How CCi Voice Can Help

Connecticut’s new election law, Public Act 24-148, brings a significant change for municipalities: By July 1, 2025, every absentee ballot drop box in the state must be monitored by a video recording system that meets specific requirements for election transparency and security.

For towns and cities already juggling infrastructure, IT, and public safety needs, this new rule may feel like another unfunded mandate. But the good news is: you don’t have to go it alone.

As the state-approved vendor under the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) contract, CCi Voice offers a turnkey video surveillance solution that meets every detail of the new requirements—and because we’re already under contract, you can implement our solution without going out to bid or issuing an RFP.

Let’s break down what’s required and how we can help.

What the Law Requires: Key Provisions from Public Act 24-148

Effective for all elections and primaries after July 1, 2025, Connecticut municipalities must:

• Install a video recording device for each absentee ballot drop box
• Begin recording on the first day absentee ballots are issued (typically 31 days before Election Day)
• Continue recording 24/7 until polls close and the final ballot retrieval is made

Ensure recordings:

• Show the location of the drop box
• Include visible date and time stamps
• Are made public within 5 days of the final ballot pickup
• Are retained for 12 months, or longer if under investigation

The regulations also require:

• Cameras positioned within 20 feet of the drop box, capturing all ballot deposits
• Footage with at least 1280×720 (720p) resolution
• Built-in timestamping and location indicators
• Battery backup capable of 8+ hours of power in case of outages
• Recordings in standard formats (e.g., MP4) and made available via link or file

The State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) may investigate any complaints, and failure to comply can result in civil penalties and undermine public trust.

Our Video Surveillance Solution for Drop Boxes

At CCi Voice, we’ve designed a compliant, reliable system tailored to the unique needs of municipalities:

720p+ Resolution Cameras with Night Vision

Footage is clear and detailed—even in low light. All cameras exceed the 720p minimum and are tested to ensure every deposit event is visible.

Date/Time/Location Stamping

Our system automatically timestamps every recording and affixes the drop box location, ensuring every frame is legally defensible.

24/7 Recording with Battery Backup

We provide continuous or motion-activated recording with sufficient storage. Each system includes 8+ hour battery backup or solar power for off-grid locations.

Secure Storage and Public Access Tools

Footage is stored in the cloud or on local servers with encryption. We support easy public access through download links or hosting options to comply with the 5-day release rule.

Simple Retrieval, Long-Term Retention

All footage is stored for at least 12 months in formats like MP4 or MOV. We offer support for SEEC requests and FOIA responses.

Lessons from Other States: Why Surveillance Works

States like Georgia, Michigan, and California have implemented or recommended drop box video monitoring, learning several valuable lessons:

These jurisdictions emphasize the value of:

• Leveraging existing infrastructure (e.g., mounting to existing poles)
• Ensuring footage is usable at night or in bad weather
• Creating transparent, publicly accessible archives
• Testing camera feeds ahead of every election

CCi Voice incorporates all of these insights into our systems and approach.

Why Work with CCi Voice?

Trusted Partner to Towns & Schools: We already provide video surveillance, VoIP phone systems, and door access controls to Connecticut municipalities.

Easy Procurement Through CRCOG: No RFP. No public bid. Our solutions are available to any eligible town, city, or school district through our CRCOG contract.

Experience with Election Security: We understand the unique needs of registrars, town clerks, and election officials.

Compliance Guarantee: Our systems meet or exceed every requirement in PA 24-148 and the associated regulations.

How to Purchase Through the CRCOG Contract

Thanks to our partnership with the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG), CCi Voice offers Connecticut municipalities a pre-approved, no-bid purchasing pathway for election security upgrades—including video surveillance systems for absentee ballot drop boxes.

What Is the CRCOG Contract?

Originally awarded in 2015 to IP Genie, this competitively bid contract is now held by CCi Voice following our merger in 2024. The contract allows eligible Connecticut municipalities, schools, and libraries to purchase communication and security services without issuing RFPs or going out to public bid.

What’s Covered?

Under this contract, we offer:

• VoIP phone systems and hosted phone service
• Video surveillance systems for drop boxes and other municipal facilities (allowed on contract when there is phone service already in place)
  
• Ongoing service, support, and maintenance

All services and hardware purchased through the CRCOG contract are provided at discounted, pre-negotiated pricing with local, responsive support from our Connecticut-based team.

Who’s Eligible?

Any Connecticut town, city, school district, or public agency can use the contract—even if you’re not a CRCOG member. If your organization is eligible to participate in a state contract, you can purchase directly through CCi Voice under this agreement.

Next Steps for Municipal Leaders

If you're a municipal clerk, IT director, or registrar of voters, now is the time to:

1. Identify your drop box locations and confirm whether they already have camera coverage.

2. Assess technical needs—angle, power, storage, and public access.

3. Schedule a free compliance consultation with CCi Voice.

Early adoption helps you avoid rush installation costs and ensures smooth implementation before the July 1, 2025 deadline.

Get Started Now

Call us at (203) 938-8400 or email sales@ccivoice.com to book your free drop box surveillance consultation.

CCi Voice – Your partner in secure, compliant, and connected communities.