This is so freaking inside out it isn’t funny. Put them in a sealed room and have the Sheriff watch them. That’s his job. WTF? Over.
The Sheriff is an elected official, and it's not his job to watch after the voting machines.
It's the job of the elections officials. However no voting machines or ballots should be left with individuals of either party. Once the machines are certified as ready for voting they should not be left in any one person's hands.
After they are certified, observers should be allowed to make sure no one tampers with them. It's better to keep everyone honest.