An ordinance related to the required testing of the tabloid machines was enacted by the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly, amending KPB 4.60.030 regarding testing the ballot tabulator before a mayoral run-off election. Testing of the tabloid machines are tested two times before the election.
Performing logic and accuracy testing after the special election on February
14, 2023 is not possible due to the quick turn-around. If a run-off is required, the run-off election will be held two weeks after certification of the special election on March 7, 2023.
According to information provided by Assembly President Brent Johnson, an election takes months to prepare, but due to the run-off election requirements as currently prescribed in code, preparation of a run-off election is condensed into a three week timeline. Therefore, The Assembly approved that the ballot tabulators be deemed appropriately tested before a regular or special election per KPB
4.60.030(B).
Borough Vice President Tyson Cox explains the voting machine status;
“We only have three weeks by borough code to have a run-off election, after the election for mayor. Within that timeframe we do not have the amount time to test those tabulators again in the manner that we tested them before. That testing had already been done, I believe, and concluded. And so they are ready to roll at this point. They will do the first election and then if there is the need for a run-off, they will be prepared and be able to sufficiently do a run-off election.”
Kenai Peninsula Borough determined is not reasonable to test the tabloid machines two weeks after certification of an election.
