Seal management
Tamper-evident seals are a cornerstone of election security. NxtAssets tracks every seal by unique serial number and type, enforces seal steps at every statutory checkpoint, and preserves a complete seal event history that no one can edit after the fact.
A serialized registry
Every seal NxtAssets knows about has a type (tamper-evident, plastic, padlock), a unique serial number, and a current association — which asset, which seal point, which location. Barcode scanning ensures the right seal goes on the right ballot box or tabulator.
Seal steps enforced at every checkpoint
Texas Election Code and EAC best practices require seals at specific points in the cycle. NxtAssets enforces them:
- L&A testing (TEC §129.024). On completing each logic and accuracy test, test materials are placed in a sealed container signed by the custodian and at least two testing-board members. NxtAssets captures dual-party signatures as part of the L&A workflow.
- Ballot box delivery (TEC §127.064 – .066). Ballot boxes must be serially numbered and sealed before delivery, at poll close, and before transport to the Central Counting Station. The workflow will not advance to the next state until the seal step is completed and logged.
- Transport checkpoints. Seals are applied, inspected, and verified at loading, in transit, and at handoff — with serial numbers and operator identity captured each time.
Mobile seal audits
A poll worker or roving technician can run a routine seal audit on any mobile device. Pull up the asset, view expected seals by serial number and seal point, inspect the physical seals, and log an audit pass or fail with a timestamp. A failed audit triggers an immediate alert to administrators and a documented follow-up — so a broken seal is never just a note on a clipboard.
Every seal event — application, inspection, removal, reapplication — goes into the tamper-proof log with timestamp and operator name. Seal status (intact, broken, replaced) is tracked over the life of each asset. Retention matches the 22-month minimum under TEC §129.024(b), and can't be shortened after the fact.
What it replaces
Seal logs live in three-ring binders in a lot of election offices. Binders get lost. Signatures are hard to read. Reconciling a binder against a ballot box six months later is an afternoon of work. NxtAssets replaces that with a live serialized registry, workflow-enforced application, mobile audit, and an immutable history — all available in seconds during an audit or FOIA response.