On Friday, February 23, at 8 a.m., the Indian River County Supervisor of Elections Office will spearhead the crucial Pre-Election Logic and Accuracy Test, a vital step in ensuring the integrity of the upcoming Presidential Preference Primary Election.
The process will be conducted at the Elections Office, situated at 4375 43 Avenue, under the watchful eyes of the County Canvassing Board. This board includes distinguished members such as County Court Judge Robyn Stone, County Commissioner Deryl Loar, and Supervisor of Elections Leslie Swan.
This testing process is designed to guarantee the accuracy and reliability of the tabulating equipment before it is employed in the election. Utilizing a pre-defined set of valid votes for each candidate and issue, along with over-voted and blank ballots for every contest, the test aims to validate the equipment’s efficiency.
The ballots, known as the ballot test deck, are processed through both the tabulation equipment and Indian River County’s independent auditing system. The results are then rigorously compared to ensure complete accuracy in vote counting.
Supervisor of Elections Leslie Rossway Swan emphasized the thoroughness of the procedure, noting, “A random sampling of voting machines are tested during the Pre-Election Logic and Accuracy Test. This session is open to the public, offering an opportunity for firsthand observation of our commitment to election integrity. Furthermore, our team tests every voting machine deployed in each election to confirm the precision of our voting equipment.”
The successful completion of the Logic & Accuracy Test marks a significant milestone towards election readiness, with all voting equipment being securely locked, sealed, and monitored by camera surveillance before deployment to various voting locations.
Supervisor Swan extends an open invitation to the public, encouraging community members to witness the testing process. “We welcome anyone interested in observing the testing to join us. My staff and I are ready to answer any questions and provide insights into our rigorous election preparation efforts,” Swan stated.
This initiative reflects Indian River County’s dedication to ensuring a transparent and secure election process, fostering confidence in the democratic system among its residents.