MARQUETTE, Mich. — With local elections approaching, clerks across Marquette County are conducting public accuracy tests on voting machines to ensure they are functioning properly and counting ballots correctly.
The tests involve running sample ballots through each tabulator to confirm accurate processing and vote tallying.
“We process test ballots into the machines to make sure that they’re calculating properly and running properly in the correct order and manner that they’re supposed to,” said Nicole Hyry, clerk for Ishpeming Township.
Marquette County Clerk Linda Telsma said the tests are required by the state and serve as an added reassurance for voters.
“We’ve never seen any election with any problem with the ballots not being read correctly,” said Telsma. “But it’s a reassurance to the public to make sure that what is being submitted into the tabulator is being read correctly, so it’s a very important part, and a state requirement,”
While recent years have brought heightened scrutiny to election processes, Telsma said Marquette County remains well-prepared and welcomes transparency.
“We’ve always done it, it’s just that a little more spotlight has been put on elections, which is not a bad thing,” said Telsma. “I welcome all of the spotlight to be on our elections because we’ve done it right, I feel very confident and I think you’ll find that from every county clerk, every city clerk, and every township clerk.”
Telsma also encouraged voters to attend public accuracy tests if they have questions about how votes are counted.
“I would love to see the public come to more of these public accuracy tests because if you’re ever that one voter that’s like ‘is that machine working?’ It’s that reassurance that, yes, it’s going to pick everything up correctly and you can feel good about your vote,” she said.
For more information on public test schedules, voters are encouraged to contact their local clerk’s office.
