A REAL Orange County Ballot Box, this one located in front of the Garden Grove Unified School District headquarters (Orange County Tribune photo).

Before you drop off that ballot, make sure it’s an official Orange County ballot box.

On Sunday the Orange County District Attorney’s Office received a report that several unauthorized ballot boxes had been placed in Orange County cities. District Attorney investigators assigned to the office’s Election Team immediately launched an investigation and that investigation is currently underway. State officials have stated that such boxes are illegal.

The “ballot boxes” have been reportedly been placed in at least two Orange County cities – Seal Beach and Huntington Beach – and are listed as “official ballot drop-off boxes,” although they are not.  The matter has become an issue in the 48th Congressional District race. The campaign of Rep. Harley Rouda (D-Huntington Beach) is claiming the boxes are connected to the campaign of Republican challenger Michelle Steel. There has been no official reply as of this writing.

According to the OCDA, there is a dedicated team of prosecutors and investigators who are specifically trained in election law violations, including election fraud. That team has conducted training for the Registrar of Voters staff as well as Orange County law enforcement on how to recognize potential election fraud. OCDA prosecutors are available 24/7 to provide assistance to the Registrar of Voters and local law enforcement regarding election law violations.

The Orange County Registrar of Voters has a list of official ballot drop boxes. If a ballot drop box is not on the list, it is not an official government drop box.

Residents who suspect election fraud are encouraged to call the Orange County District Attorney Election Fraud Hotline at (714) 501-4593. Residents can also report suspected election fraud by emailing 2020.election@da.ocgov.com .