Twin Falls County Officials Test Ballots Ahead of May Primary Election in Idaho
Election Office Demonstrates Ballot Accuracy Systems at County West
With Idaho’s May primary election approaching, Twin Falls County election officials gathered at County West in Twin Falls on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, to conduct a formal ballot test — a routine but critical step in ensuring the county’s voting equipment is functioning accurately before ballots are cast by the public.
The test brought together several of the county’s top election officials, including Kristina Glascock, Twin Falls County Clerk; Valerie Varadi, Chief Deputy Clerk; and Sabrina Harrison, Elections Director. County Commissioner Suzanne Hawkins also participated, running ballots through the system to observe the process firsthand.
During the test, Glascock explained to those present how the ballot-counting system operates. Officials followed an Idaho logic and accuracy guide as part of the procedure — a standard protocol used to verify that voting equipment reads and tallies ballots correctly before any real votes are processed. Ballots were jogged, or aligned, prior to being run through the machines, another standard step in maintaining the integrity of ballot tabulation.
The presence of the county clerk, chief deputy clerk, elections director, and a county commissioner at the test underscores the seriousness with which Twin Falls County officials approach election preparation. Logic and accuracy testing is considered a common-sense safeguard that helps ensure every vote cast will be counted correctly on Election Day.
May Primary Sets Stage for Key Local and Statewide Races
The upcoming May primary in Twin Falls County will feature several competitive races on the Republican ballot. Among them, Casey Swensen is challenging incumbent Josh Kohl in the Idaho State Senate District 25 Republican primary, a race that has drawn attention from local voters and political observers across Magic Valley.
Election integrity has become an increasingly important issue for Idaho voters in recent election cycles, and county officials conducting public-facing ballot tests provides transparency in the process. Allowing a county commissioner and other officials to witness the equipment in action helps build public confidence that the systems in place are working as intended before a single voter enters a polling place.
For voters who don’t want to wait until primary Election Day to cast their ballot, early voting is set to kick off April 27 in Twin Falls County, giving residents the opportunity to participate in the democratic process on their own schedule ahead of the primary deadline.
The logic and accuracy test at County West represents just one component of the broader election preparation process carried out by county clerks and election offices across Idaho ahead of major elections. These tests are typically open to public observation and serve as an official record that equipment was verified prior to use in any election.
What Comes Next
With ballot testing now completed at County West, Twin Falls County election officials will continue their preparation for the May primary. Early voting begins April 27, and residents are encouraged to contact the Twin Falls County Clerk’s office or visit the county’s official website for information on polling locations, hours, and what to bring to the polls. For broader statewide election coverage, readers can follow updates at Idaho News and the Idaho News Network. County officials have not announced any additional public testing sessions at this time, but the completed logic and accuracy test signals that Twin Falls County’s election infrastructure is being put through its paces well ahead of primary day.