MMC Election Administration & Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A voter arrives at the wrong precinct on Election Day. Under best practices recommended by the EAC, the poll worker should:
- Direct the voter to their correct precinct and offer a provisional ballot if they cannot travel there (Correct answer)
- Turn the voter away because they are not on the precinct roster
- Allow the voter to cast a regular ballot as a courtesy
- Contact the clerk's office and cancel the voter's registration
Correct answer: Direct the voter to their correct precinct and offer a provisional ballot if they cannot travel there
Best practice is to redirect the voter to their correct precinct but offer a provisional ballot if they are unable to go, ensuring no eligible voter is completely disenfranchised.
Question 2: What is a 'logic and accuracy test' (L&A test) in election administration?
- A pre-election test of voting equipment to verify it records and tallies votes correctly (Correct answer)
- A post-election audit comparing paper ballots to machine totals
- A statistical model used to predict voter turnout
- A training exercise for poll workers on procedures
Correct answer: A pre-election test of voting equipment to verify it records and tallies votes correctly
An L&A test is conducted before Election Day to confirm that voting machines, scanners, or tabulators accurately record and count test ballots, with results witnessed and documented publicly.
Question 3: Which accessibility requirement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies specifically to polling places?
- At least one fully accessible voting station must be available at every polling location (Correct answer)
- All polling locations must have a dedicated ADA compliance officer on Election Day
- Polling places are exempt from ADA requirements if built before 1990
- Voters with disabilities must request accommodations 30 days in advance
Correct answer: At least one fully accessible voting station must be available at every polling location
The ADA requires that polling places be physically accessible and that at least one accessible voting system be available so voters with disabilities can vote privately and independently.
Question 4: A 'ballot on demand' (BOD) system allows election officials to:
- Print customized ballots at the polling place for each voter based on their registered address (Correct answer)
- Allow voters to request additional ballots if they make a mistake
- Generate provisional ballots electronically without paper backup
- Issue ballots to non-registered individuals on Election Day
Correct answer: Print customized ballots at the polling place for each voter based on their registered address
BOD systems print the correct ballot style for a specific voter on demand at the polling place, reducing the need to pre-print thousands of different ballot styles.
Question 5: What is the primary legal purpose of a 'Notice of Election'?
- To inform the public of the date, offices on the ballot, filing deadlines, and polling locations for an upcoming election (Correct answer)
- To formally notify candidates that they have qualified for the ballot
- To alert state officials that a municipality is holding an election
- To publish the names of poll workers assigned to each precinct
Correct answer: To inform the public of the date, offices on the ballot, filing deadlines, and polling locations for an upcoming election
A Notice of Election is a legally required public announcement that provides voters with essential information about the upcoming election, including date, offices, and where to vote.
Question 6: In a recount, which type provides the highest level of accuracy verification?
- A hand count of all paper ballots (Correct answer)
- A re-tabulation using the same scanning equipment
- A statistical sampling of 5% of precincts
- A review of only contested precinct totals
Correct answer: A hand count of all paper ballots
A full hand count of paper ballots provides the most thorough verification because it bypasses machine tabulation entirely and relies on human review of the physical record.
Question 7: What does 'straight-ticket voting' mean in jurisdictions that allow it?
- A voter selects all candidates of a single party with one mark or selection (Correct answer)
- A voter must vote for every office on the ballot or the ballot is void
- Candidates are listed in alphabetical order within each party column
- A party nominates candidates for all offices without a primary election
Correct answer: A voter selects all candidates of a single party with one mark or selection
Straight-ticket voting allows a voter to cast votes for all of one party's candidates across all applicable races with a single selection, rather than choosing office by office.
MMC Election Administration & Procedures 3
A voter arrives at the wrong precinct on Election Day.
Under best practices recommended by the EAC, the poll worker should: