By DIANNE ALWARD-BIERY
Cleaver Senior Staff Writer
HARRISON – An essential part of the work done by election workers leading up to a primary or general election includes the public accuracy testing of the ballots and tabulation machines. The Clare County Clerk’s office conducted its ballot testing Oct. 8 in a process that takes many, many hours. As the Clare County Building site conducts the 10 days of early voting for the whole county, that testing must run through all ballot styles used across all the precincts.
The City of Harrison conducted its public testing Oct. 7, with the City Election Commission members Dan Sullivan, Justin Cavanaugh and Tracy Wheeler-Clay on hand to set up the tabulator, seal the cards, and run through a variety of ballots which represent virtually every possible scenario of error that could be encountered.
Hayes Township conducted its public testing Oct. 14 with Hayes Election Commission member Maye Tessner-Rood and election workers Deb Hoyt, John Marion and Pat Adams doing the run through there. After running all the ballot numbers to zero out the paper tape [akin to a cash register tape], they, too, ran through the “deck” of ballots ensuring all possible scenarios were accurately reported and accounted for.
This process is followed at voting precincts across the county, in a practice that ensures these dedicated community members can assure their neighbors of an accurate accounting of their votes.
All that’s left now is for residents to cast their ballots, either early at the Clare County Building or in their home precincts on Nov. 5, so their voices can be heard.
© Clare County Cleaver
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