Oakland County residents can watch election officials test voting machines Oct. 14-19 as the county prepares for the Nov. 3 general election.

Oakland County Clerk and Register of Deeds Lisa Brown scheduled four public accuracy tests between Oct. 14 and Oct. 19 at the Oakland County Courthouse in Pontiac, according to the county. The tests cover equipment for both early voting and the Absent Voter Counting Board (AVCB), which processes absentee ballots.

Remaining early voting equipment tests are scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 15, and Friday, Oct. 16, at 8:30 a.m. The absentee ballot equipment test is Monday, Oct. 19, at 10:30 a.m.

All four sessions take place in the Board of Canvassers Training Room at the Oakland County Courthouse, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Pontiac. Attendees should use the west entrance.

"The public testing of election equipment is done before every election to ensure our elections are accurate and secure," Brown said in an Oct. 12 statement. "The Public Accuracy Test is just one of the many transparent steps that anyone from the public can observe."

How the tests work

During a public accuracy test, election staff run a pre-marked set of test ballots, called a "test deck," through the tabulating machines, according to the City of Rochester's explanation of the process. The deck includes ballots marked for every candidate and ballot question, plus overvotes, blank ballots and stray marks.

Officials first print a "zero tape" showing all contests on the ballot, then feed the test deck through the tabulator. They compare the results tape against a spreadsheet prepared in advance. After the test, materials are sealed in an approved ballot container and retained as required by state law.

Public accuracy tests must be completed at least five days before Election Day for Election Day equipment and at least five days before early voting begins for early voting equipment, according to Michigan Bureau of Elections guidance.

The Nov. 3 ballot in Oakland County includes races for governor, secretary of state, attorney general and U.S. Senate, along with two statewide proposals.

Residents can sign up for election reminders on the Oakland County elections website. After the Nov. 3 election, equipment accuracy will be verified through an audit of randomly chosen precincts and races, according to Rochester’s explanation.