Posted on: Saturday, October 9, 2004

Elections officials will test voting machines

Advertiser Staff

The state Office of Elections is conducting tests of both precinct ballot counters and disabled access units that will be used in Honolulu during the upcoming general election.

The tests help ensure that all hardware works properly and looks at the logic and accuracy of the ballot counting program.

Testing of the Marksense precinct ballot counters, the mark-and-scan system used by Hawai'i voters since 1996, will be done in the morning at the elections warehouse on Koapaka Street. The disabled access units, the controversial new electronic voting machines, will be tested in the afternoon at the State Capitol.

The tests will be conducted and overseen by official observers, and independent groups representing political parties, civic and community groups.

Critics have asked voters to boycott use of the electronic units because they do not provide an immediate paper trail. Elections officials say the machines can be audited and checked for tampering.