CERA - Certified Elections Registration Administrator Ballot Management and Tabulation Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a public Logic and Accuracy (L&A) test before an election, a tabulation machine incorrectly reads several ballots from a pre-marked test deck. What is the most appropriate immediate action for the election administrator to take?
- Manually adjust the final count on the results tape to match the expected outcome and certify the machine for use.
- Document the error, immediately remove the specific machine from service for the upcoming election, and repeat the full test on a replacement machine. (Correct answer)
- Proceed with the election, but post a notice at the polling place informing voters that the machine may have issues.
- Cancel the public test and reschedule it for after the election to avoid causing public concern.
Correct answer: Document the error, immediately remove the specific machine from service for the upcoming election, and repeat the full test on a replacement machine.
The purpose of Logic and Accuracy testing is to ensure all voting equipment is functioning correctly before an election. [5, 9] If a machine fails, the proper procedure is to document the failure, sequester the malfunctioning unit to prevent its use, and conduct a new, complete test on a replacement machine to verify its accuracy publicly. [5]
Question 2: Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of maintaining a strict chain of custody for voted ballots?
- To ensure the fastest possible transport of ballots from polling places to the central tabulation center.
- To track the work efficiency of the bipartisan teams responsible for transporting ballots.
- To create a chronological, verifiable audit trail that accounts for the possession and transfer of ballots at all times, ensuring their integrity. (Correct answer)
- To allow public observers to handle and inspect ballot containers during transport.
Correct answer: To create a chronological, verifiable audit trail that accounts for the possession and transfer of ballots at all times, ensuring their integrity.
Chain of custody is a fundamental security procedure that creates an unbroken, documented record of who had control of sensitive materials, like voted ballots, at all times. [12, 14, 15] This chronological paper trail prevents unauthorized access, tampering, or loss and is essential for demonstrating the integrity of the election process. [14, 15]
Question 3: An election official is processing absentee ballot return envelopes and finds a signature that does not appear to match the signature on file for the voter. According to widespread best practices, what should be the official's next step?
- Have the mismatched signature reviewed by a bipartisan team of trained election officials for secondary verification. (Correct answer)
- Immediately reject the ballot and set it aside as invalid without further action.
- Contact the voter's registered political party to ask for verification of the voter's signature.
- Count the ballot but flag the voter's record for removal from the registration list after the election.
Correct answer: Have the mismatched signature reviewed by a bipartisan team of trained election officials for secondary verification.
Signature verification is a critical but subjective process. Best practices and, in many states, law require a multi-level review process to avoid disenfranchising eligible voters. [26] If an initial review flags a potential mismatch, the next step is typically to have a bipartisan team conduct a secondary review. [24] Many jurisdictions also have a 'cure' process to notify the voter and give them an opportunity to resolve the discrepancy. [26]
Question 4: What is the primary objective of conducting a Risk-Limiting Audit (RLA) following an election?
- To re-tabulate every ballot cast in the election by hand to produce a new, more accurate result.
- To provide strong statistical evidence that the reported election outcome is correct, or to trigger a full recount if a discrepancy is found. (Correct answer)
- To identify and prosecute individuals who may have attempted to vote more than once.
- To test the functionality of tabulation machines before they are deployed for early voting.
Correct answer: To provide strong statistical evidence that the reported election outcome is correct, or to trigger a full recount if a discrepancy is found.
A Risk-Limiting Audit (RLA) is a post-election procedure that uses statistical sampling of paper ballots to provide a high degree of confidence that the reported winner is correct. [1, 2] It is not a full recount by default; rather, it is designed to confirm the outcome efficiently or escalate to a larger count if the sample reveals a potential problem with the tabulated results. [1, 4]
Question 5: In the post-election ballot reconciliation process for a precinct, what is the main goal?
- To determine the final vote margin for each candidate in that specific precinct.
- To publicly announce the number of spoiled and provisional ballots.
- To identify which poll workers were most efficient in processing voters.
- To ensure that all ballots issued to the precinct are accounted for by balancing voted, spoiled, provisional, and unused ballots against the total number received. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: To ensure that all ballots issued to the precinct are accounted for by balancing voted, spoiled, provisional, and unused ballots against the total number received.
Ballot reconciliation, or ballot accounting, is a critical audit function. [3, 7] Its primary goal is to ensure that every ballot provided to a precinct is accounted for after the polls close. [3, 11] This is done by reconciling the total number of ballots issued with the sum of ballots cast, spoiled ballots, provisional ballots issued, and unused ballots returned, ensuring the integrity of the precinct's results. [3, 20]
Question 6: When designing an official ballot for an optical scan tabulation system, which of the following is a critical technical requirement for ensuring accuracy?
- Using glossy paper to prevent smudging from ink pens.
- Including the official seal of the jurisdiction in the background of each contest.
- Placing timing marks and vote target areas in precise locations that align with the scanner's specifications. (Correct answer)
- Arranging candidates in alphabetical order, regardless of office or party.
Correct answer: Placing timing marks and vote target areas in precise locations that align with the scanner's specifications.
Optical scan tabulators are precision machines that rely on specific markings on the ballot paper to orient themselves and identify where to look for votes. [30] Timing marks, barcodes, and the exact placement of the ovals or squares (vote targets) must strictly adhere to the system vendor's specifications to prevent misfeeds and ensure every vote is read correctly. [21, 30]
CERA - Certified Elections Registration Administrator Ballot Management and Tabulation Questions and Answers
During a public Logic and Accuracy (L&A) test before an election, a tabulation machine incorrectly reads several ballots from a pre-marked test deck.
What is the most appropriate immediate action for the election administrator to take?