Election security is crucial to maintaining public trust in the democratic process. As election methods evolve, so do the measures to safeguard voting systems from tampering and fraud. At the forefront of these efforts are tamper evident seals—specifically, barcoded seals—that help protect the integrity of voting systems worldwide.

For over 110 years, American Casting & Manufacturing (AC&M) has been a trusted provider of quality sealing solutions, offering a wide range of products that cater to the specific needs of election officials. By employing state-of-the-art adhesive security labels and tamper evident solutions, we ensure that every step in the voting process remains secure and transparent.

The Purpose of Barcoded Seals in Voting Systems

Barcoded seals play a pivotal role in modern election security. These seals help election officials monitor and control access to voting devices and sensitive election materials. Integrating barcodes into tamper evident seals makes it easier to track each item's movement and status throughout the election process. Ensuring that only authorized personnel can access critical components, such as voting machines and ballot boxes, is essential for a smooth and fraud-free election.

At AC&M, we offer a variety of barcoded seals that help automate the recording process when seals are broken or removed. This automation minimizes manual entry errors, enhancing the accuracy of record keeping, especially in large voting districts. Election officials can now monitor the exact date, time, and identity of anyone accessing vital election materials. This speeds up the process, reduces the risk of tampering, and provides a solid audit trail that strengthens election integrity.

Election Security Best Practices

Election security is more than just securing voting machines—it involves ensuring the integrity of the entire voting process. Using tamper evident seals is one of the best practices election officials rely on to maintain the security of voting systems. These seals provide an extra layer of protection, helping to deter unauthorized access and detect any potential fraud or mishandling of election materials. Every critical component, including optical scanning machines, ballot boxes, and tabulating equipment, requires a secure seal.

Adhesive security labels have become an essential tool in election security. These labels are simple to apply and provide clear evidence if tampered with, making them ideal for sealing devices like Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) machines. Unlike older systems that relied on paper ballots, DRE machines are fully electronic and, therefore, require a different type of protection. By sealing these machines with adhesive labels, officials can ensure that no unauthorized access occurs without leaving visible signs of tampering.

Election officials also need to consider the secure storage of ballots, both before and after voting takes place. Ballot boxes frequently use barcoded seals to track their movement and prevent opening until the appropriate time. For hand-marked ballots, plastic strap seals are often employed to secure the boxes, guaranteeing that the ballots remain untouched and counted accurately.

What You Need to Know About Bar Codes for Security Seals

Barcoded seals are not just about sealing; they provide a high level of traceability and control. Election officials can create a detailed record of when and where they applied a seal, when they removed it, and by whom, thanks to the uniqueness of each barcode. This level of accountability is crucial in elections, where every step must be documented and auditable. Barcoded seals are especially useful in large-scale elections, where multiple voting devices and materials need to be secured across various locations.

Using barcoded tamper seals ensures that election administrators can efficiently manage hundreds, or even thousands, of devices in real-time. Each scan of a barcoded seal automatically updates the system, providing a real-time log of seal activity. This reduces the need for manual reporting, speeds up audits, and improves the accuracy of the data collected. Understanding how barcodes for security seals work is key for election officials looking to strengthen their process.

Other Critical Uses of Barcoded Seals in Elections

As previously mentioned, the use of barcoded seals extends beyond the security of voting machines. They also play a critical role in other parts of the election process, ensuring that all components, from blank ballots to internal documentation, are protected. Before the voting even begins, election officials must secure fresh ballots. These ballots, often stored in sealed cartons or plastic envelopes, need to be protected from tampering or fraud. Sealing these materials with tamper evident seals guarantees their integrity from the moment they are printed to the moment they are issued to voters.

Early voting and absentee ballots are becoming more common in many jurisdictions, creating a need for secure storage systems. While not yet counted, these ballots must be kept safe from unauthorized access. You can apply barcoded seals to the storage boxes, pouches, or compartments holding these ballots. This guarantees that no one can tamper with the ballots prior to their official counting. By using barcoded tamper seals, election officials can track each ballot’s movement and verify its security at every stage, from storage to tabulation.

Another essential area where tamper evident seals are crucial is in the tabulation equipment. Once voting is complete, election officials rely on machines to accurately count and report the results. We need to seal these machines, including ballot scanners, computers, and printers, to prevent unauthorized access. Any interference with this equipment could compromise the election results, so securing them with barcoded seals helps guarantee that only authorized personnel can operate or service these devices.

Securing Election Systems with American Casting & Manufacturing

At American Casting & Manufacturing (AC&M), we understand that election security is an ongoing process. With over 110 years of experience, we have developed a deep understanding of the challenges faced by election officials worldwide. From tamper evident seals for ballot boxes to adhesive security labels for electronic voting machines, we provide a wide range of solutions that cater to the specific needs of election authorities.

We design our barcoded seals to provide more than just physical protection. They streamline the process of managing election equipment, reducing manual entry errors and improving efficiency. Whether it’s protecting Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) machines, safeguarding optical scanning machines, or securing the storage of ballots, our tamper evident seals play an essential role in keeping elections fair, secure, and transparent.

We believe that every election official should have access to top-quality sealing solutions. That’s why our team of experts is available to provide advice and guidance on the best products for each jurisdiction’s unique needs. Whether you’re managing a small local election or overseeing a large national one, our team can help you find the right tamper evident seals to meet your requirements. Feel free to reach out to us at info@seals.com or call our toll-free number at (866) 360-6748 or 516-349-7010 during our business hours, Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm EST.