Section 3-177-704 - Testing the vote counting system; electronic voting systems(a) Prior to election day the vote counting system prepared for counting and tabulating the votes shall be tested in the presence of the following persons: (1) The chief election officer, clerk, or designated representative;(2) Official observers; and(3) Other authorized interested persons, as space permits.(b). The test may include, a predetermined number of votes for each candidate and for and against each, question and a predetermined number of excess or "over" votes and blank votes for each candidate or question. (1) Each official observer and other authorized persons may prepare test ballots for the test' of the vote counting system;(2) The vote counting system shall not be approved unless it produces the exact count of all votes, rejects all improper votes, and meets all other test criteria;(3) After the test has been satisfactorily conducted, all test ballots, test results, and the vote counting system shall be secured and shall not be subsequently open except in the presence of not less than two official observers who are of different political party or organizational affiliations. Notwithstanding this, voting equipment that has been, initially secured under this rule for subsequent delivery to another location, such as a voter service center, counting center, or similar location, may be opened by the election officials present at that subsequent location;(4) Official observers shall sign a certification that the vote counting system was tested, found accurate, and approved.(c) In the event of a vote counting system malfunction, the test shall be rerun upon completion of the maintenance or corrective work. There shall be no further processing until the test indicates that the vote counting system is working properly.[Eff JUL 26 2020] (Auth: HRS § 11-4) (Imp: HRS §§ 16-42, 16-43, UT6-45)