Ballot boxes

Ballot boxes for elections and ballots

A ballot box is the keystone of trust in a vote: voters must see their ballot paper disappear into a closed box that nobody can reach in the meantime. That is why everything about this product comes down to three qualities. The box has to close properly, be visibly sealable, and stand stable on the table all day without shifting or tipping over.

We supply ballot boxes to municipalities, provinces and public services, and to organisations voting internally: works council elections, member councils, general meetings, elections within professional associations. The version differs according to the scale and the rules the organising authority imposes, but the principle stays the same.

Where they are used

• Polling stations at local, regional and federal elections
• Works council elections in companies and care institutions
• Statutory ballots at associations, health insurance funds and professional bodies
• Consultations, participation projects and competitions where anonymity matters

Versions

The classic version is a closed cube or chest with a slot in the lid, a lock or sealing point and two handles. Alongside it is the transparent version, with see-through walls so that everyone can establish that the box is empty at the start. That is gaining ground because it makes checking easier.

For large polling stations there are tall models on a base, so voters do not have to bend down. For smaller ballots, compact table-top models are enough.

You choose the slot width to suit the ballot paper: a folded paper needs more room than a small voting slip. So always state the format you work with.

Material and finish

Metal, usually coated sheet steel or aluminium, is the sturdiest choice and lasts election after election. Plastic and polycarbonate are lighter and allow transparent versions. Cardboard and composite are intended for single use and are recyclable afterwards.

Personalisation is possible with the municipal coat of arms, your logo or numbering per station. Preferably work with clear, high-contrast lettering: voters need to see from a few metres away which box is for which ballot. Colour codes per electoral college help with that and reduce mistakes.

In practice: set-up, sealing and storage

On delivery, check that locks, keys and sealing materials actually match the boxes. That sounds obvious, but it is the classic morning panic at the polling station. Number keys and boxes together and keep them apart until the day itself.

For voters with a disability the same principle applies as for voting booths: provide at least one set-up per location where the slot sits at a height reachable by someone in a wheelchair, with clear approach space and no threshold in front of it.

Finally, think about storage between two elections. Clean the boxes dry, check hinges and locks, and store them stacked and dry. Count them when putting them away, not when unpacking. And bear the schedule in mind: every municipality orders for the same date, so reserve well in advance, certainly for larger quantities.

What determines the price?

The price of ballot boxes depends on the number of units, the chosen material, the size and slot width, the version (closed or transparent, table-top model or on a base), the locking and sealing system, and the personalisation with coat of arms, logo or numbering. Hire or purchase, delivery per location or centrally, collection afterwards and any storage also play a part. We draw up a quotation based on your specific quantities and rules.

Your ballot properly equipped

Send us the number of polling stations, the format of your ballot papers and the date, and we will propose a suitable version and a workable schedule. Feel free to get in touch early.