The second phase of the Logic & Accuracy process is underway, as the Elections Office marks “test ballots” to verify that the BallotNow tabulation machines accurately count the votes marked.
Like the eSlate testing phase, predetermined combinations of votes have been designated for testing to verify that the machines tabulate accurately. As we explained previously, these tests are conducted to make sure that the end results of the tabulation match what was actually voted. The Elections staff will mark “test” ballots with predetermined votes so that every candidate and contest is voted for at least once in varying vote combinations on the test ballots during this process. We even throw in some write-in votes, under-votes, and over-votes to truly reflect what may actually happen when voters make their choices on Election Day.
L&A for the November Presidential General has been proceeding according to schedule, and is anticipated to last through Sept. 26.
The Elections Office always appreciates comments and suggestions to improve procedures, and we incorporate what we can into our operations. When voters pointed out that we needed a better solution for our Blue Ballot Boxes (that holds paper, provisional, and Vote by Mail ballots submitted on Election Day), we looked into more secure methods to accommodate the strictly confidential nature of our ballots.
We found a sturdy, durable hard plastic box from Election Data Direct, Inc. that addresses our security concerns. Inside the box are two separated sections that will aid in distinguishing the different ballot types inserted into the box during ballot reconciliation. Below is a picture of the new Blue Ballot Box and the labels we’ve designed to help voters and polling place teams effectively use this on Election Day.
Note: The pictures below are for your resource only. The box used on Election Day will be blue.
Logic & Accuracy testing is making great headway as our team verifies the correct operation of voting equipment both as individual units and as a combined system.
Every part of the testing process is going according to schedule thus far, and is expected to continue on through the end of next week. This week, the focus has been on the eSlate voting machines that are used for electronic voting throughout the County.
When testing the eSlates, six teams of two diligently go through each electronic ballot for every election multiple times until every candidate or measure has been voted at least once. The vote testing is conducted in a number of predetermined combinations to reflect every possible voting situation that may occur on Election Day, as we explained in our post on Sept. 16.
We also conduct the testing in three languages concurrently: English, Chinese, and Spanish. San Mateo County Elections materials are offered in these three languages, including paper and electronic ballots.
The next phase of L&A testing is the verification of correct operation for the BallotNow machines, which tabulate votes on paper ballots. This part of the testing process is scheduled to begin next week.
By writing this blog and detailing the inner workings of the San Mateo County Elections Office, we are hoping to constantly increase the level of openness and transparency of our processes. However, while transparency is a goal, accuracy is a requirement.
This is why we conduct Logic and Accuracy testing of the voting process. Beginning Sept. 16, and scheduled to last approximately two business weeks, L&A testing of the eSlate voting machines and BallotNow paper ballot tabulation machines, will be conducted to verify that everything operates properly both as individual units and as a combined system.
As we’ve explained in previous posts, L&A testing is split into two basic portions. The first portion of L&A tests the accuracy of the eSlate voting system that is used by voters at the two early voting centers (one at 40 Tower Road, San Mateo and the other at 555 County Center, 1st Floor, Redwood City) and at the polls on Election Day.
We know that we’ve told you before what L&A testing is all about, but it’s a process that is vital to the transparency and accuracy of the whole election process. So we’re going to tell you about it again.
Designed to ensure that the hardware and software used in the election works correctly, L&A testing verifies that everything operates properly both as individual units and as a combined system.
How does this process work exactly ? L&A testing is split into two basic portions. The first portion of L&A tests the accuracy of the eSlate voting system that is used by voters at the two Universal Voting Centers (one at 40 Tower Road, San Mateo and the other at 555 County Center, 1st Floor, Redwood City) and at the polls on Election Day.
After the first portion of testing is complete, L&A then focuses on the BallotNow machines – machines that are used to tabulate paper ballots. These tests are conducted to make sure that the end results of the tabulation match what was actually voted. The Elections staff will mark “test” ballots with predetermined votes so that every candidate and contest is voted for at least once in varying vote combinations on the test ballots during this process. We even throw in some write-in votes, under-votes, and over-votes to truly reflect what may actually happen when voters make their choices on Election Day.
So what’s the big deal about L&A testing, and why is June’s testing so different from May’s process?
We’ve been spending these last couple of days tying up loose ends from February and completing some preliminary steps before we really get into the heart of preparations for the April 8 Special Congressional Open Primary.
The one percent manual recount of the Feb. 5 Presidential Primary was finished up earlier this week, and the vote will be certified on Tuesday. Watch for it!
Election folk are now busy updating our voter participation records from February polling place rosters. (Remember the roster you signed on Election Day? It serves as the official paper record that you voted in the election; we also transfer that information, voter by voter, to electronic voter registration records.)
We are also archiving ballot data from the eSlates used on Feb. 5. When your vote is cast electronically, it is actually recorded in three different places to ensure adequate backup. All that data has to be removed and archived for storage, wiping the slates – no pun intended - clean for the next election.
Furthermore, we’re testing batteries on nearly 2,000 eSlate printers, (lined up on the shelves here) which provide a paper verification of how you voted, and putting fresh rolls of paper in each.
Right around the corner – as in, next week – we will be sending Sample Ballots & Official Voter Information Pamphlets, as well as official ballots, off to be printed and mailed. We’ll also begin conducting Logic & Accuracy (L&A) testing on the eSlates. (L&A testing is all about making sure that the programs installed on voting equipment, as well as the equipment itself, read and record votes the way voters intend. Read more about it.)
All of this has to be done by March 10 14, which is when early voting begins.
Despite all the punditry to the contrary, it’s becoming a tougher sell that this one will be a record as far as San Mateo County is concerned. But it remains to be seen before we can be certain. Vote by Mail ballots are more or less done, but we’re still counting votes from provisional ballots. Another vote count will be released at 5 p.m. on Feb. 19.
Melinda Dubroff, who is overseeing the post-Election Night count, said that about 12,000 provisional ballots were cast on Feb. 5. Each of those green ballot envelopes must be reconciled by hand before the votes on each provisional ballot can be counted.
“That is a big amount for us,” Dubroff said. “The provisionals are kind of like a little expedition. Did they vote in the right party’s primary, did they go to the right precinct?”
While we don’t believe these updated results will change the projected outcome of any race – all four local measures were already winning by a landslide on Election Night – we’ve got better stats on turnout and Vote by Mail percentages. Keep in mind that we’re still not done counting ballots, so these number will continue to change.
It’s also distant from the predictions that have been offered up by Elections Manager David Tom for a record turnout more than 60 percent. We’re hoping that voters lived up to his expectations, so that his foot can say far from his mouth.
We’ve got new and improved video of Vote by Mail envelopes being sorted and processed by our super-speedy Pitney Bowes Relia-Vote system.
With the Feb. 5 Presidential Primary fast approaching, Vote by Mail envelopes are still arriving by the thousands at the Elections Office. About 60,000 have been returned so far. A big number, but with Relia-Vote, we can process 24,000 of them in an hour.
Check it out! (This video is posted on YouTube, which requires Adobe Flash Player to view. If you don’t have it, you can download it for free.)
Read more in our previous blog post about the Pitney Bowes Relia-Vote system, which helps us process and sort Vote by Mail ballot envelopes and verify voter signatures.
And all of this reminds us of an important reminder for Vote by Mail voters:
Ah, this is Warren Slocum’s most favorite time of the year.
Come again? The election is over, and I know who won my city council race. I’m moving on to making my plans for Thanksgiving.
But oh, in his world, the fun has just begun. Welcome to the Official Canvass of the Vote.
“The canvass is the least understood, most important part of the elections process,” Slocum, our chief elections officer, is apt to declare.
Not to be confused with the Official “Canvas” of the Vote, which we’ll leave for our budding artists to figure out. No, this is canvass with two s’s, as in political canvassing.
The canvass is actually a 28-day period following the election in which vote tallies are completed and ballots and votes are reconciled. A manual recount of at least 1 percent of the votes cast in each race verifies that votes cast by voters are correctly reflected in results reports.
“Performing the canvass is the way that elections offices can be certain that all the vote counting systems are accurate and, ultimately, that the votes are accurate,” said Elections Manager David Tom.
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The second phase of the Logic & Accuracy process is underway, as the Elections Office marks “test ballots” to verify that the BallotNow tabulation machines accurately count the votes marked.
We’ve been spending these last couple of days tying up loose ends from February and completing some preliminary steps before we really get into the heart of preparations for the 
