Would throwing out election ballots earn one some prison time?

I keep hearing that election ballots get thrown out so some particular candidate will win. It sounds like unfeasible, utter nonsense to me. I think most election officials are volunteers from the local communities

1. Who is “counting” these ballots?

2. How were they recruited to read a ballot then throw some out?

3. With cameras everywhere, how could they think they could just toss them in the nearest trashcan i being caught?

4. Who are these mysterious people who are willing to face prison time for it?

5. Why haven’t we heard names of those caught?

Curious