"We're ready," said Venango County's Director of Elections Sabrina Backer Friday morning after she, her staff, the three county commissioners, two local reporters and one candidate conducted the public test of the voting process. The mandatory public test, held the Friday before an election, is open to anyone who wishes to attend to confirm the accuracy of the machines and demonstrate how the process works.
"We would love for anyone and everyone to come an see how this works," Backer said despite low turnout from members of the public.
All 44 precinct voting machines went through the same level of checks. Sample ballots were filled out both correctly and incorrectly then run through the machine. Then the results were closely verified for accuracy by all in the room. Even the Mickey Mouse and Goofy write-ins were accurately recorded. The machine used in this public test got a perfect score, as have all 44 of the county's machines, according to Backer.
All three commissioners echoed the process works even though they admitted it is more work for them. The accountability with the paper trail has made the process even more secure and accurate they said.
Off-year municipality elections do not typically receive very high voter turnout. In the last election, 29 percent of registered Republicans voted and only 19 percent of the registered Democrats showed up at the polls.
"The election that affects [local] life the most, no one shows up for," said Commissioner Chip Abramovic.
The presidential elections tend to provoke higher voter turnout at over 70 percent.
Polls open Tuesday, November 2 at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
"We would love for anyone and everyone to come an see how this works," Backer said despite low turnout from members of the public.
All 44 precinct voting machines went through the same level of checks. Sample ballots were filled out both correctly and incorrectly then run through the machine. Then the results were closely verified for accuracy by all in the room. Even the Mickey Mouse and Goofy write-ins were accurately recorded. The machine used in this public test got a perfect score, as have all 44 of the county's machines, according to Backer.
All three commissioners echoed the process works even though they admitted it is more work for them. The accountability with the paper trail has made the process even more secure and accurate they said.
Off-year municipality elections do not typically receive very high voter turnout. In the last election, 29 percent of registered Republicans voted and only 19 percent of the registered Democrats showed up at the polls.
"The election that affects [local] life the most, no one shows up for," said Commissioner Chip Abramovic.
The presidential elections tend to provoke higher voter turnout at over 70 percent.
Polls open Tuesday, November 2 at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
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