October 19, 2026
With Election Day fast approaching, the Steuben County Board of Elections is putting its voting machines through their paces with a series of rigorous, hands-on tests designed to ensure every machine is functioning properly and accurately counting votes. The extensive testing process is designed to identify and address potential errors or equipment issues before early voting begins on October 24.
Election officials are testing a wide range of scenarios, including blank ballots, cross-endorsed candidates, overvotes (when a voter selects more candidates than permitted), and undervotes (when a voter selects fewer candidates than allowed). Each scenario allows election officials to verify how the machines respond and ensure poll workers are prepared to properly address any issues voters may encounter.
The goal is simple: ensure the Clear Ballot voting machines used throughout Steuben County are accurate, secure, and ready for voters.
Democratic Commissioner of Elections Colleen Hauryski emphasized that the testing process is bipartisan, transparent, and open to public observation.
“Each and every scenario is checked, ballot by ballot and machine by machine, with results double-checked by hand. We have a really good system in New York, where every step must be completed and approved by both Democrats and Republicans. These checks and balances provide important safeguards for election integrity.”
“We handle a process, and the Republicans conduct quality control and verify our work. They complete a process, and we double-check theirs. It’s fair, it’s transparent, and it works well here in New York.”
Republican Commissioner of Elections Bryan Housel echoed his Democratic counterpart’s remarks, emphasizing the importance of the safeguards built into the election process.
“Our office takes great pride in the work we do, and we understand the seriousness of the responsibility entrusted to us. The procedures, the policies, the checks and balances — they all serve a purpose, especially when it comes to testing our voting equipment.”
When asked whether this level of testing is standard practice, Hauryski explained that Steuben County takes additional steps beyond the required procedures.
“All counties in New York test their voting machines, but we go above and beyond because we aren’t going to settle for just ‘good enough.’ We’ve always done more to make sure we’re covering our bases and doing this right.”
Housel agreed, offering additional details about the extensive testing conducted by the county.
“Sometimes being ‘extra’ isn’t always a good thing, but in this case, it absolutely is. Our testing is extremely thorough and exceeds even the New York State Board of Elections’ testing standards.
“We conduct three full sets of tests on each of our ballot-casting machines. Some machines process between 500 and 600 ballots during a single test. That includes comprehensive test decks that fill a couple paper boxes!”
“These additional safeguards are meant to give voters confidence in the integrity of our elections and help dispel some of the misleading narratives that have been circulated about election security.”
Early voting for the November 3rd, 2026, General Election begins Saturday, October 24th and runs from 9am to 5pm daily through November 1st. (in addition, Bath is open until 8pm on 10/27 & 10/29)
For additional information about voting in Steuben County, visit the Steuben County Board of Elections.
Steuben County Board of Elections
Colleen Hauryski, Democratic Commissioner
Bryan Housel, Republican Commissioner
