While unlikely to be as action-packed as political debates or public forums, county auditor tests on voting equipment offer a glimpse at the inner-workings of American democracy.
And, like debates and forums, the testing process is open to the public.
With the Aug. 1 primary election nearing, the Lewis County Auditor’s Office will conduct a test of its accessible voting unit next Tuesday, July 18, at 9 a.m.
Ballots from each unique ballot style used in the Aug. 1 primary election for Lewis County will be marked and printed from the unit, then incorporated into the test deck for the office’s logic and accuracy test the following day, on July 19.
Both days of testing are open to the public for observation at the auditor’s office, inside the Lewis County Courthouse at 351 NW North St., Chehalis.
On Wednesday, July 19 at 10 a.m. the logic and accuracy test will be conducted on the ballot tabulation system for the upcoming election.
Both tests are open to the public for observation, but the auditor’s office can’t promise an entertaining show.
“We take who’s going to be on the ballot and we run unique numbers for everybody. … We mark a test deck and run it through our machines and we make sure everything is running accurately,” said Jolene Manuel, elections supervisor.
Manuel said election workers use a sample selection of around 120 ballots, with some from each unique ballot in the county. In the August primary, Lewis County has 24 different variations of ballots, depending on the voting districts they’re sent to.
According to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, the accuracy testing must be completed after ballots are proofed and finalized, but before voting begins.
After the election, the Lewis County Canvassing Board will hold public meetings. During those meetings, the auditor, one county commissioner and the Lewis County Prosecuting Attorney review late ballots and ballots where signatures don’t match what is on file for the voter, among other inconsistencies or issues.
Many ballot issues can be “cured” in post if the voter is successfully contacted. Voters can also check the status of their ballots on their own by visiting https://voter.votewa.gov. Ballots with issues will be flagged, and voters can then call the auditor’s office for more information.
Canvassing board meetings will be held at the Lewis County Historic Courthouse in the Auditor’s Office until the primary is certified. A meeting will take place on Monday, Aug. 14 at 9 a.m. to determine status of provisional, challenged or questionable ballots, if any.
Another meeting will be held in the same place on Tuesday, Aug. 15 at 9 a.m. where the board will review and determine the status of any provisional, challenged or questionable ballot not previously reviewed and to certify the election.
