Security measures upped for Election Day in Connecticut

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Several security measures are in place to keep voting safe on Tuesday. There's one you can't even see.

Fire suppressors were distributed to each town and city to install inside ballot drop boxes over the past few days. The Connecticut Secretary of State announced this change after ballot boxes in Washington and Oregon were set on fire last week, burning hundreds of ballots.

"This is all part of our effort to keep people feeling comfortable in the system and recognizing an election in Connecticut is a safe election," said Brenda Bergeron, the deputy commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP). Bergeron also oversees the Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.

Bergeron said there isn't a credible ballot fire threat in Connecticut, so the fire suppressors are a proactive measure.

"We help to give people that peace of mind so that people know that the system is safe and they're safe when they go to the polls," she said.

Connecticut races to watch on Election Day

The state emergency operations center will also be monitoring safety concerns on Tuesday, in addition to watching the more than 100 brush fires burning across the state.

"We're all capable of handling more than one thing at once but it is a challenge," Bergeron said. "But it's really a team effort across the board, whether it's municipal, state, federal or private sector. So, we all help each other."

Some municipalities are stepping up safety all the polls. Hartford and East Hartford will have extra police at polling locations.

Ballot drop boxes are locked after 8 p.m. Tuesday, the same time as the polls.