721—22.41 (52) Testing of optical scan systems. As a part of preparation for use for each election, the commissioner shall thoroughly test all automatic tabulating equipment (including equipment that will be used for counting absentee ballots) as required by Iowa Code section 52.35. The process and results of the test shall be carefully documented and shall be available for inspection.
	 22.41(1) Each automatic tabulating device (including equipment that will be used for counting absentee ballots) shall be tested to determine the following:
	  a.   	 The device and its programs will accurately tabulate votes for each candidate and question on the ballot.
	  b.   	 Votes cast for more candidates for any office than the number to be elected will result in the rejection of all votes cast for that office on that ballot. Votes properly cast for other offices on the same ballot shall be counted.
	  c.   	 The tabulating equipment records all votes cast and no others. A written tally of the test votes shall be prepared before the test. The results of the test voting shall be recorded. The results of the machine tabulation shall be printed and compared with the test plan.
	  d.   	 The voter may cast as many write-in votes for each office on the ballot as there are positions to be filled, and the write-in votes are reported correctly.
	  e.   	 For primary elections, the tabulating equipment accurately records votes cast for all political parties.
	  f.   	 For general elections:
	 (1) 	 A ballot marked with only a straight party vote is recorded with one vote for each candidate of the designated political party, and no other votes are recorded for partisan offices;
	 (2) 	 The voter may override a straight party vote for any office by voting for any candidate not associated with that political party; and
	 (3) 	 For offices to which more than one person will be elected, if a voter has chosen to override a straight party vote, only the candidates whose names are marked shall receive a vote.
	 22.41(2) Conducting the test.
	  a.   	 The commissioner shall follow the process described in rule 721—22.42(52) for preparing test decks.
	  b.   	 If, during the test, there are differences between the test plan and the results produced by the optical scan device, the cause of the discrepancy shall be determined. If the cause of the discrepancy cannot be determined and corrected, the faulty program or equipment shall not be used in the election.
	  c.   	 The test decks, the preparer’s tally, and the printed results of the test shall be kept with the records of the election and preserved as required by Iowa Code section 50.19.