21-A §854. Test of electronic tabulating equipment

Title 21-A: ELECTIONS

Chapter 9: CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS

Subchapter 6: VOTING DEVICES HEADING: PL 1991, C. 347, §5 (NEW)

Article 2: ELECTRONIC TABULATING SYSTEMS HEADING: PL 1995, C. 459, §92 (RPR)

§854. Test of electronic tabulating equipment

The clerk shall have the electronic tabulating equipment tested prior to the polls opening to ascertain that it accurately counts the votes cast for all offices and on all measures. The test must be conducted by processing a preaudited group of ballots marked to record a predetermined number of valid votes for each candidate and on each measure. The test must include one or more ballots that have votes for each office in excess of the number allowed by law in order to test the ability of the electronic tabulating equipment to reject those votes. In this test, valid votes must be assigned to each candidate for an office and for and against each measure. If any error is detected, the cause for the error must be ascertained and corrected and an errorless count must be made and certified by the clerk before the polls open on election day. The test ballots and the tapes generated as a result of the tests must be packed and sealed in a container labeled "Test Ballots." The container must remain sealed until at least 60 days after the election, unless needed for recount purposes. The tests provided for in this section must be open to the public. [1995, c. 459, §106 (AMD).]

SECTION HISTORY

1985, c. 161, §6 (NEW). 1995, c. 459, §106 (AMD).