Testing of electronic ballot counting equipment

(1) The designated election official shall have the electronic ballot counting equipment tested pursuant to subsection (2) of this section to ascertain that it will accurately count the votes cast for all offices and all measures. (2) (a) The electronic ballot counting equipment shall be tested at least three times, once on the day before the election, once just prior to the start of the count on election day, and finally at the conclusion of the counting. The designated election official may conduct any additional tests he or she deems necessary. (b) The designated election official shall vote and retain at least twenty-five test ballots, observe the tabulation of all test ballots by means of the electronic ballot counting equipment, and compare the tabulation with the previously retained records of the test vote count. The cause of any discrepancies shall be corrected prior to the actual vote tabulation. (3) (a) All test materials, when not in use, must be kept in a secure location. (b) After the final conclusion of the counting, all programs, test materials, and ballots must be sealed and retained as provided for paper ballots.