This week, Michigan’s county, city, and township clerks began conducting mandatory pre-election tests of their machines to ensure they are working properly ahead of the August 4 primary election. Testing is open to the public and must be conducted at least five days before early voting starts on July 25.
The logic and accuracy tests check and confirm that voting equipment is in working order and functioning properly. Clerks run a set of test ballots through the machine to verify it’s programmed correctly and operating as expected. After the test, the test materials are securely stored and kept separate from early voting and Election Day materials.
Michigan law requires the use of paper ballots for every election and for the ballots to be machine-counted. Each county clerk selects, purchases, and maintains their own certified election equipment from a qualified vendor.
