Ballot box accuracy tests

Communities across Michigan are preparing for the upcoming election with ballot box accuracy tests.

Four communities in Marquette County that will be going to the polls have held the tests by now. That includes Chocolay Township.

The tests are open to the public. The results are not sent to either the county or the state.

“This is required by state law that we do a test, a public test, of the AccuVote machines before every election,” Chocolay Township clerk Max Engle said.”They tested fine, and usually they do, but every once in a while we find errors.”

August voter turnout is typically very low.

Last year, the August turnout in Marquette County was 24%, and that was with state representative and U.S. Senate primaries to decide.

“Absolutely one item (is on the ballot this time), and that’s the Marquette Area Public Schools millage, which is a renewal millage that they’ve had since the ’90s,” Engle said.

Michigamme Township and the City of Marquette are both holding their accuracy tests on Wednesday, July 31st.