Election Day simulation tests voting machines

Yesterday morning, Historic City News reporters in St Augustine awaited the results of a simulation of processes that actually happen during the day, and into the evening, on Election Day; while they were recreated in the office of St Johns County Supervisor of Elections, Vicky Oakes.

A public test of St Johns County’s voting equipment, open to candidates, members of the public and the press, began at 9:00 a.m., August 31 in the Elections Office, as required by Florida’s election laws.

“Actual ballots are voted, in a predetermined pattern, and then run through the tabulators, tabulated, and the results are compiled in the Elections System Database,” Oakes explained to Historic City News this morning. “We are required to confirm that all aspects of the software, processes, and voting equipment are working properly to assure the election goes flawlessly.”

A group known as a “Canvassing Board” must certify the equipment counts correctly and is satisfactory to be used in the election, Oakes told reporters.

Yesterday, the Canvassing Board included Supervisor of Elections Vicky Oakes, Judge Clyde Wolfe, and St Augustine Attorney Mac McLeod. “Judge Charles Tinlin was unavailable yesterday,” Oakes said. Tinlin expects to serve on the Canvassing Board during the actual Primary Election and General Election.

The next time the Canvassing Board convenes is the day before Election Day, when the absentee Primary Election ballots will begin to be canvassed. No one knows any results until after the polls close at 7:00 p.m. on election night; when the reports are first viewed.

Following what used to be called the “Logic and Accuracy” test, all voting equipment was zeroed out and sealed; in preparation to be delivered to the early voting locations before Saturday.