§ Miss. Code § 23-15-481Testing of tabulating equipment

Prior to the start of the count of the ballots, the commissioners of elections, in conjunction
with the circuit clerks or officials in charge of the election shall have the automatic tabulating
equipment tested to ascertain that it will accurately count the votes cast for all offices and on all
measures. Public notice of the time and place of the test shall be given at least forty-eight (48)
hours prior thereto by publication once in one or more daily or weekly newspapers published in
the county, city or jurisdiction where such equipment is used, if a newspaper is published therein,
otherwise in a newspaper of general circulation therein. The test shall be witnessed by
representatives of the political parties, candidates, the press and the public. It shall be conducted
by processing a pre-audited group of ballots so punched or marked as to record a predetermined
number of valid votes for each candidate and on each measure, and shall include for each office
one or more ballots which have votes in excess of the number allowed by law in order to test the
ability of the automatic tabulating equipment to reject such votes. If any error is detected, the
cause therefor shall be ascertained and corrected and an errorless count shall be made and
certified to by the officials in charge before the count is started. The tabulating equipment shall
pass the same test at the conclusion of the count before the election returns are approved as
official. On completion of the count, the programs, test materials and ballots shall be sealed and
retained as provided for paper ballots.