Trending
A Public Accuracy Test of the voting machines scheduled to be used in every county in Minnesota during an election cycle is held before every election. The Brown County test for the Nov. 3 general election was held on Thursday, Oct. 8. These tests are open to the public to promote transparency in the voting process. Three members of the New Ulm League of Women Voters attended the accuracy test.
.In Brown County, there are 54 different ballot styles for the upcoming election because U.S. Representative, city, town, and school board races vary by precinct. Ballots for every precinct race and candidate were tested. That means 919 pre-marked test ballots were tested during Brown County's Public Accuracy Testing.
In addition to the counting machines, an assisted voting machine was demonstrated. This device is available at all polling locations and may be used by any voter. It is designed to assist voters with vision, reading or other disabilities mark their ballots using features such as large print text, audio narration through headphones, braille keyboard, touchscreen, or a sip and puff device. After choices are made, the machine prints the completed ballot to be fed into the ballot counter.
The Public Accuracy Test verifies that the voting machines accurately count ballots, and the voting processes are transparent because the public is welcome to attend the test.
After the election, another process known as the Post Election Review takes place. This review is also open to the public, and the League of Women Voters will be there.
Ruth Ann Webster
Yvonne Weber
Peggy Sundell
-- Members of the League of Women Voters in New Ulm