Wyoming county clerks demonstrate logic-and-accuracy testing, chain-of-custody and post-election audits

Summary

County clerks from across Wyoming gave a daylong demonstration of how they run logic-and-accuracy tests, seal equipment, handle USBs and perform post-election audits, saying the procedures are designed to protect ballots and voter privacy while acknowledging room for statutory and procedural improvements.

County clerks from multiple Wyoming counties gave the Joint Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee a step-by-step demonstration on May 8 of how they test voting systems, move equipment to polling places and perform post-election audits.

Clerks said the demonstrations are intended to inform legislators considering interim election topics, not to advocate for specific machines or statutory language. "We have no intention of swaying your opinions about electronic voting systems or to sell you on anything," said Malcolm Irvin, Platte County clerk, at the start of the presentation.

The demonstration focused on three core areas: pre‑election logic-and-accuracy (L&A) testing, chain-of-custody and sealing procedures for equipment, and post‑election audits. Julie Friess, Fremont County clerk, said L&A tests use actual election data and sample ballots to verify three objectives: "verify that election specific data and ballots include every contest, candidate, and precinct; ensure all components of the voting system are functional; [and] verify the voting system can interpret voter markings and record and report vote totals accurately." Friess ran legislators through a small public test of equipment programmed for a Baldwin Creek Elementary school election, showing how ballots are cast, how the tabulator rejects double-feeds and how the public zero tape is generated and…

Wyoming county clerks demonstrate logic-and-accuracy testing, chain-of-custody and post-election audits

Summary

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