Fort Bragg City Hall ballot drop box overstuffed and unuseable Sunday afternoon- city fixes problem, will get larger box for future, here is how you can be sure your vote was counted

A very large contingent of Sunday voters dropping their ballots into the city’s official drop box for mail-in ballots overwhelmed the box, which was overfull for about 5 hours Sunday till the city fixed it. No theft or other issues is suspected but there is no camera footage available. The problem has brought the shipment of a larger steel box for the future from the county to the city. And a larger sign is now posted to indicate what people should do if there is a problem with the drop box. But the box will be checked even more regularly than usuall up through the last day of voting, Tuesday.

If you are worried about your ballot, use the state’s ballot delivery confirmation service at https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/. Or go to WheresMyBallot@sos.ca.gov. The ballot drop off box was stuffed full and unuseable from about 2 p.m (our first report) to about 7:10 p.m., when the clerk cleaned out the box. The county is sending a larger capacity steel box for the city to use during the next election. And a larger sign directing people as to what number to call has been installed.

“Two staff members were in coordination to check the box Saturday and at that time it was not full.  Sunday was a large day for drop-off.  I was informed at 7:08 p.m. the box was full and immediately drove in within 5 minutes to remove and secure the ballots with another staff member.  The box was to capacity.

It will be checked today every 3 hours. Thanks for reaching out.”

We conversed some more and found there is no video of the box during the 4-5 hour window the box was full

“Between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. box received capacity. We are collecting every 2 hours today and will be every hour tomorrow until 8:00 PM sharp.  The polling locations (Grace Community Church and Veterans Memorial Building will be open tomorrow as well from 7:00 a.m. to 8 PM. I have an IT ticket regarding camera. Another sign above slot has been placed with phone number and x104 or x109 if there are questions or concerns about the ballot box.”

‘I am very happy our community is exercising their civic duty early, ballot have been removed and secured by two city staff.  I have also received confirmation from the county to obtain a large metal ballot box in the near future which will help after hours,” Paoli said.

Linda Hartzell voted with no problem first thing Monday morning before work. She provided these photos. The real need here is a sign that says- if the box is full or not useable call (some number)

We wrote Paoli back and she gave us a response to our idea of a sign, turns out that was how people called and reported this, the number on the press release. I still think something with larger type would help next time.

“Great idea for an after hour number; I will discuss with Isaac.  The press release posted next to the City Hall Drop Box on May 5, 2026, has my desk number 707-961-2823 x104 and I can access voice mail while I am away from my desk.  I did receive two calls via voice mail on Sunday along with text message from Katrinia Bartlomie.  Today we are checking the drop box every two hours.  Tomorrow will be every hour.  

Thank you for your idea of additional signage.”

Here is our original story— These two comments got us to write a story and post it Sunday afternoon.
Elise King reported on the MCN listserves

“I drove to Fort Bragg today to put my mail in ballot in the drop off box on Franklin. The slot was jammed full—no way to add even one more envelope. I saw multiple people walk away disgusted because they couldn’t vote. I guess I will have to make a separate trip again tomorrow.
You would think the local officials would have the common sense to make sure the box is emptied on the weekend—the primary is only two days away. “

Then, this from Emily Strachan
Argh – I went to the ballot drop box in FB at 2:00 this afternoon. It was so full I could not get my ballot in as a matter of fact I could have retrieved some ballots out of the box.”

We have requested a response from the Fort Bragg City Manager by email on Sunday night. We got one frirst thing Monday morning.

We were going to take a picture of our ballot going in last week, but then someone else was coming up and that seemed creepy. We wished we had now. We read through the laws on Caliiforna vote by mail drop off stations but couldnt find anything that would relate to this, such as if there is a requirement to empty them every so many hours or days.