The parallel monitoring program is one of eight security measures the Secretary of State imposed for the November 8th special statewide election. The program provided for random selection of DRE voting equipment in six of California's counties, covering each of the four types of DRE systems currently certified for use and installed in counties in the state. The six counties that participated in the parallel monitoring program were: Alameda, Mariposa, Merced, Monterey, Orange and Riverside.
The parallel monitoring teams consisted of Secretary of State staff as well as independent technical experts who simulated actual voting conditions on Election Day in order to determine the accuracy of the machines in recording, tabulating and reporting votes.
"Parallel monitoring is an important security measure that we employ to ensure the reliability of the electronic voting machines used throughout California," said McPherson. "The voters should have the confidence of knowing that we are closely monitoring these machines to ensure their integrity and reliability even after we certify them for use in the state's elections."
