Albany County voters can breathe easier this election cycle. The Albany County Board of Elections spent the past week fielding calls about the safety of early‑voting machines and answered each query with clear, concrete details about the safeguards in place.

How the process works

All eight early‑voting sites in the county record each in‑person vote on a dedicated machine that prints a paper ballot as a backup. After the voter leaves, the electronic record is stored on a memory stick that remains attached to the machine. The paper receipt is kept on site for a short period, then both the paper and the memory stick are placed in a locked box.

At the end of each voting day a bipartisan team transports the sealed boxes to the Board’s central facility. There, the memory sticks are moved into a secure vault that is monitored around the clock. “There is absolute security at the end of every day,” said Allison McLean Lane, the Democratic commissioner for the board.

No internet access, no remote hacking

One of the most common questions the board receives is whether the voting machines can be accessed over the internet. Commissioner Lane answered emphatically, “No – the only part of our process that actually involves wireless communications is the poll pad where we look you up. That’s the only place.” Because the machines are never connected to any network, the risk of remote intrusion is effectively eliminated.

Early‑voting participation surges

Early voting in New York has become increasingly popular. In the first three days of early voting this year, more than 700,000 New Yorkers have cast ballots – almost double the number who voted early during the same period in 2022. The rise reflects growing confidence in the convenience and security of the early‑voting system.

What voters should know

Residents of Albany County can find their nearest early‑voting location on the Board’s website or by calling the election hotline. The Board encourages anyone with questions about registration, polling locations, or the voting process to reach out early, ensuring a smooth experience on Election Day.

By maintaining paper backups, locked storage, and continuous surveillance, Albany County officials are working to protect the integrity of every early ballot, reinforcing public trust in the democratic process.

Original reporting: CBS 6 WRGB Albany (local) — read the source article.