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Cumberland County Board of Elections to Conduct Voting Machine Tests

Sep 26, 2024

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Cumberland County Board of Elections invites the public and members of the media to view pre-election testing of voting equipment that will be used in the 2024 general election.

This process, called logic and accuracy testing, is an important early step in safeguarding North Carolina elections.

See below for information on this process:

  • Who: Cumberland County Board of Elections
  • What: Pre-election voting equipment testing (Logic and accuracy testing)
  • When: 10 a.m. on Oct. 1, 2024
  • Where: Cumberland County Board of Elections, 227 Fountainhead Ln., Fayetteville, NC 28301

Logic and accuracy tests, commonly known as “L & A” tests, are required by state law. They ensure machines will correctly read each ballot type and accurately count votes in an upcoming election. In all 100 counties, all machines to be used in the election, including backups, are tested.

During testing, ballots of each style are coded for a mock election and marked in a pre-determined pattern. They then run through the tabulator, and the results are compared to the expected results. A bipartisan team oversees the preparation of the machines and test ballots, and the bipartisan team conducts or oversees the L & A tests. Only voting equipment that meets the pre-election testing standards will be deployed for use at voting sites.

After testing, the equipment is reset to ensure no test information remains on the system. The equipment is then sealed by the bipartisan team with a security tag, which is logged for chain of custody.

Contact the Cumberland County Board of Elections at elections@cumberlandcountync.gov or 910-678-7733. For additional information about Cumberland County Board of Elections, visit www.cumberlandcountync.gov/elections. Cumberland County Board of Elections is located in the E. Newton Smith Center at 227 Fountainhead Ln., Fayetteville.