The Marshall County Election Board conducted public tests of four voting machines Monday morning.
The machines that are tested are chosen by Voting System Technical Oversight Program (VSTOP). The public test is open to any member of the public, but there were no other community members present. The election board members go through a process to ensure that each member gets a vote in each precinct on those machines to make sure the machines are programmed and working properly prior to Election Day. It was verified that the machines tested worked properly along with the Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) on two machines. Each machine was then zeroed out and locked and stored for Election Day.
The test cards were also tested and sample absentee ballots were also tested with no issues.
Prior to the public test, the board met to take care of regular business. Clerk Jenny Bennitt told the board members that the Marshall County Commissioners and the Marshall County Council approved wage increases for poll workers.
They approved a Certificate of Ballot Agreement in a Voter Center County which determined whether the names, numbers and letters on the sample ballot, regular ballot and provisional ballot for each precinct are consistent with the names, numbers, and letters appearing on the optical scan ballot cards furnished for that precinct at the Vote Center, and determined that these ballots were in agreement.
They also approved a Certificate of Test of Ballot Card Voting System Automatic Tabulating Machines.
The board approved an iPad Disposal Plan as new poll pads will be purchased. A plan is required to be filed with the Indiana Election Division. The county plans to use four of the old poll pads for sample ballots at the Vote Centers. If the Election Division approves the proposed plan, the Election Board may dispose of the equipment and notify VSTOP.
They also approved the legal notice of the General Election for publication which includes offices to be filled and early voting information.
Voters are reminded that voter registration ends October 10, early voting begins October 16, Travel Board begins October 19, and campaign finance reports are due by Noon ET October 20.
On Election Day, several Vote Centers will be open for voters to cast a ballot. Those Vote Centers include the Gallery on West at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Argos at 211 West St., the Matchett Center at 805 N. Harris Street in Bourbon, the Life Enrichment Center at 1305 W. Harrison Street in Plymouth, the Knights of Columbus at 901 E. Jefferson Street in Plymouth, and the Culver Administration Building at 700 School Street will be open for voting from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET on November 7.
Prior to Election Day, early voting is open at the Marshall County Clerk’s Office Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays beginning Monday, October 16 through Friday, November 3 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. Early voting is also open at the Clerk’s Office Monday, November 6 from 8 a.m. to noon ET.
Early voting is also available Saturday, October 28 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Matchett Center in Bourbon and at the Marshall County Clerk’s Office; and Saturday, November 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET at the Culver Administration Building, the Gallery on West in Argos, and the Marshall County Clerk’s Office.
Eligible voters in Marshall County are welcome to cast a vote at any Marshall County Vote Center during the available times. To check on eligibility or to register to vote, visit www.indianavoters.in.gov.
