But, it’s unclear whether those drop boxes will be used beyond this election. Georgia counties deployed the drop boxes for the first time in June when voters cast a record number of absentee ballots amid the coronavirus pandemic. An emergency rule passed and later extended twice by the state Election Board made the drop boxes possible. “We made sure they’re under 24/7 video surveillance and on government property,” said Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, comparing the drop boxes to mailboxes, which aren’t monitored 24/7. “So that’s actually a better and more secure process, and it will actually get there on time if you drop it in before election time.”