St. Johns County election officials reported a successful accuracy test of voting equipment ahead of the Nov. 3 general election, with early voting set to begin Wednesday, Oct. 21.

The St. Johns County Canvassing Board completed its public Logic and Accuracy Test, reporting 100% accuracy for the equipment and audit system tested, according to an announcement Thursday, Oct. 15, by the St. Johns County Supervisor of Elections.

The test is a required step in preparing voting equipment before ballots are cast.

How election officials test voting equipment

Florida law requires election supervisors to conduct public logic and accuracy testing before each election to confirm that ballot scanners and tabulation systems count votes correctly.

Under Florida Statute 101.5612, election officials process test ballots with predetermined results and compare the equipment's vote totals against the expected counts.

The process tests whether equipment correctly records votes for candidates and ballot measures and identifies ballots containing more selections than allowed.

For optical-scan equipment distributed to precincts, Florida law permits officials to test a random sample consisting of at least 5% of the devices or 10 machines, whichever is greater.

The tests are conducted under canvassing board oversight and are open to the public, political party representatives and the news media.

Equipment that passes testing is reset and sealed to preserve its readiness for the election. Devices that fail must be corrected and retested before they can be used.

Supervisor of Elections Vicky Oakes oversees the county's election preparations. The canvassing board is responsible for certifying the results of the public accuracy test.

Florida also requires post-election voting system audits to check reported election results.

Early voting begins Oct. 21 at 10 locations

St. Johns County voters can cast ballots early from Wednesday, Oct. 21, through Saturday, Oct. 31, at 10 locations countywide.

Voting hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, including weekends, according to the St. Johns County Supervisor of Elections.

Registered county voters may use any of the 10 early voting locations.

Sites include the Julington Creek Annex, 725 Flora Branch Blvd. in St. Johns, and RiverHouse at RiverTown, 140 Landing St. in St. Johns.

Other locations include the Ponte Vedra Branch Library, The Players Community Senior Center and the Supervisor of Elections Office in St. Augustine.

Voters must present an acceptable photo ID with a signature when voting in person. Those without the required identification may cast a provisional ballot.

The deadline to request that a vote-by-mail ballot be mailed is Thursday, Oct. 22, at 5 p.m.

Completed vote-by-mail ballots must reach the Supervisor of Elections Office by 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, to be counted, except where special rules apply to certain military and overseas voters.

Voters may return completed ballots by mail, at secure ballot intake stations available at early voting sites during voting hours, or in person at the Supervisor of Elections Office, 4455 Avenue A, Suite 101, St. Augustine.

Vote-by-mail ballots cannot be returned to Election Day polling places.

On Election Day, Nov. 3, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters must cast their ballots at their assigned precincts.

Residents can verify their polling locations, review election information and find the full list of early voting sites at VoteSJC.gov.