County considers drone to carry vote tallies from tribal land
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Officials in an Arizona county hope to use a drone to make it easier to get vote tallies from tribal land deep within the Grand Canyon during next year's election.
Voting machines on the Havasupai reservation have sent tallies electronically in recent years. But new equipment is forcing Coconino County to make a change.
County recorder Patty Hansen said she's working with the sheriff's office and the tribe to see if a drone could carry a memory stick with vote tallies out of the canyon to a trailhead. The stick then would be driven to Flagstaff more than two hours away where county-wide results are tabulated.
If that doesn't work out, Hansen said, a county worker would have to hike the ballots out of the canyon after polls closed — similar to what's been done in the past.
The reservation is accessible only through an 8-mile dirt trail or by helicopter.
No drone tests have been conducted. The Havasupai Tribe prohibits the use of drones on its land and would have to give the county permission, tribal spokeswoman Abbie Fink said.
About 130 people are registered to vote on the Havasupai reservation, but turnout generally is low. Hansen said 30 people voted in person in the last major election and eight by mail.
- Driver identified in fatal accident on Perkinsville Road Sept. 19
- Latest Tik Tok challenges causing problems for Williams Unified School District
- Search at Grand Canyon turns up remains of person missing since 2015
- Plane wreckage and human remains found in Grand Canyon National Park
- Pumpkin Patch Train departs Williams starting Oct. 5
- Update: Man missing in Grand Canyon National Park hike found alive
- Receding water levels at Lake Powell reveal missing car and driver
- Man sentenced for attack on camper at Perkinsville
- Column: Lumber prices expected to stay high through 2022
- Elk rut season in Grand Canyon: What you need to know
SUBMIT FEEDBACK
Click Below to: