Thursday, August 3, 2023–5:24 p.m.
-News Release-
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced the successful audit of Floyd County’s election infrastructure, both software, and hardware, in preparation for the 2023 municipal elections and 2024 Presidential elections. In coordination with the Floyd County Election office, the Secretary of State’s office recently conducted health checks of the voting system, finding that Floyd County’s election infrastructure remains secure, unaltered, and fully functioning as Georgia heads into a major election cycle.
These health checks are in conjunction with Secretary Raffensperger’s Four-Point Secure The Vote Plan for the 2024 election. That plan includes:
Testing before the election (Logic and Accuracy Testing)
Each and every piece of voting equipment, in all 159 counties, is tested to assure each contest is voting properly, by testing every candidate and ballot position on the Ballot Marking Devices, and that all scanners are reading ballots properly.
Testing during the election (Parallel Monitoring)
Live election equipment will be randomly selected and tested during the active voting period, every day of voting from the start of early voting through Election Day. This testing will detect any active, ongoing threat.
Voter review and accountability
Since 2020, Georgia voters have had the ability to review their own ballot for accuracy before turning it in for tabulation. In 2020, the University of Georgia conducted a study of Georgia’s live elections and found that more than 80% of Georgia’s voters review their ballots.
Testing after the election (Risk Limiting Audits)
With the passage of HB 316 and SB129, Georgia now has robust post-election audit procedures in place to detect any anomalies in the outcomes of elections.
These election equipment health checks are part of the greater election security initiative launched by the Secretary of State Raffensperger’s office to administer the most secure elections in the Country. Georgia’s election system consists of multiple layers of security, robust audit procedures, and thorough function and diagnostic testing prior to any election. The Secretary’s top priority is election security, with 100% voter-verified paper-based elections, 100% photo ID, and a 100% commitment to accurate and trusted elections.
Additionally, the Secretary of State’s office is partnering with the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies to ensure that all 159 county election offices are safe, secure, and held to the highest physical security standards possible.
“We are excited that Floyd County’s voting equipment passed its state testing. It’s important that we stay diligent in maintaining the health of equipment used to carry out our Elections,” said Elections Supervisor Akyn Trudnak. “We look forward to our election cycle this year and 2024 as we continue to ensure integrity in the Floyd County election system. I have the utmost confidence in our election security protocols, and I am hopeful this health check will assist in building confidence in our department and the election process.”
