Making It Count Steven V. Freeman Freeman Consulting

Introduction A Vendor has just submitted a request for your state’s certification after acquiring a NASED qualification. What do you need to test?

Test Election Approach Simulate an election which: Exercises all the rules of the State Election Code and Rules. Follows the common election procedures used within the state. Is consistent for all vendors. Can be completed and verified in x hours Cut down a recent election!

What is included? Precincts: 5-10 Districts: All levels, 1 to 3 districts in each level Contests: 1-3 per sample district Candidates: 0-x Precinct12345 Typ eSplit 12 SWPresidentialxxxxxx SW Federal, STATE, COURTxxxxxx SDBoard of Equal 3xxxxxx SDCONGRESS 49xxx SDCONGRESS 50 xx SDCONGRESS 51 x SDSTATE SENATE 35x x SDSTATE SENATE 37 x SDSTATE SENATE 39 x

What is Included, II? Contest types: –Non-declared candidate with write-in –Simple one to two candidates. –Vote for 2 –Vote for [max] –Recall –Conditional –Presidential slate –Measures/Propositions

What is Included, III? Other criteria: –At least one test ballot that goes to a second page (back of paper ballot, multiple pages on DRE –One contest that wraps between one column and the next. [Special Election] –One ballot that has an empty district (in and out)

What is included, IV? Quantities: –One contest with the largest “vote for n” in your jurisdiction.) [Special election?] –A full measure text (block text size) –An oversized contest label –An oversized candidate name –All primary parties. –English, Spanish, and an ideographic language

Using L&A Logic and Accuracy (L&A) –Check every position is recognized and counted –Verify and witness vendors L&A support –Use as base for building count volume Modify the vendor L&A with some manually entered/marked ballots.

Straight Party Select party first then vote cross-overs Select party after voting some individuals Change from one party to the next after voting cross-over

Summary Create your own test election Use actual elections as a source Use the test election created for all vendors Cut down the election to use minimal precinct, contests, and candidates Isolate specific contests to test unique rules Have a reason for every entry—make it count!