Election Accuracy & Security

How can we be confident our vote totals are correct? Because we test our tabulation system at least twice every election. The first test is called a Logic and Accuracy Test and it is conducted prior to the election. The second test is called a Random Batch Audit, which is conducted the morning after each election. Descriptions and examples of these tests are provided below.

Logic & Accuracy Testing

Prior to every election, before actual ballots are tabulated, our tabulation system and the Assisted Voting Unit are tested for accuracy. Using a prescribed matrix of votes, sample ballots are marked, scanned, and then tabulated. The totals from the original matrix are then compared to the tabulated votes to ensure the system is counting ballots accurately. Once the test is successfully completed documents attesting to the tabulation system’s accuracy are signed by elections officials and witnesses. All Logic and Accuracy Tests for elections that include state or federal measures/candidates are overseen by representatives from the Secretary of State’s Office.

To ensure the security of the tabulation, the system is not connected to the internet. Additionally, all tests are open to the public and announced through press releases and on the election calendar of this website. To comply with COVID-19 protocols for safety, all tests and meetings are live-streamed.

The Logic and Accuracy Test for the 2020 General Election was performed on September 24, 2020. Below is a video of the live-stream documenting that test.

Random Batch Audit

The morning after each election, six batches of tabulated ballots are randomly selected as a post-election test to make sure the tabulation system has counted ballots correctly. The test results are documented and recorded. Just as with the Logic and Accuracy Test, these tests are live-streamed for public viewing.

The Random Batch Audit of the 2020 General Election was performed on November 4, 2020. Below is a video of that live-stream.

Our department follows all the security procedures prescribed in Washington State law to ensure that ballots and election tabulation equipment are kept safe and tamper-proof. All elections staff and temporary election workers are trained in these procedures and they each take sworn oaths to follow them.

In addition to security procedures, our office has installed video cameras in our ballot processing room. The public can watch a 24/7 live-stream of this area, including the vault in which ballots are sealed, during the entire election cycle, starting from the day processing begins tand ending with the certification of the election by the Canvassing Board. Links to the ballot processing room live-stream are located in the election calendar.

In the following video, Election Manager Fina Ormond and Jeff Slakey of iFiber News Radio discuss some of our election security procedures.

The Canvassing Board has the legal responsibility to certify elections and determine what ballots are counted in an election. The Mason County Canvassing Board is made up of the County Auditor, the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners, and the County Prosecuting Attorney. The Mason County Board has delegated to the election staff the authority to accept ballots where the signature on the envelope matches what is on the voter registration card. The Board has retained authority to reject ballots.

The Board has two meetings after each election. In the first, the Board goes through the ballots the staff has referred for possible rejection and makes a final determination about whether to count each ballot. The following day, the board meets again to certify the election. All meetings are subject to the Open Meeting Law and are available for live stream.

The following videos show the Ballot Review and Certification meetings for the 2020 General Election.