The state's Board of Elections has adopted new protocols for checking ExpressVote machines ahead of the general election on Nov. 8.

In a plan released on Wednesday, the board said 522 machines and 592 DS200 tabulators will be tested in preparation for early voting on Oct. 19 and the general election. 

According to the document, tests involve a "checklist to check hardware and software functionality." That includes seeing whether the machines power on properly, verifying precinct numbers and addresses, and ensuring ballots can be marked accurately, among a host of other checks.

The board said Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea's office already started proofing English and Spanish ballots on Saturday, the latter of which showed errors during the primary elections. At the time, some of those ballots featured the incorrect list of candidates.

Mayor Jorge Elorza appeared to place blame both on Gorbea's office and the board, calling for the ExpressVote machines to be removed during the primary. However, as the request was made last-minute and there was no viable alternative for those ADA-compliant machines, that was not possible.

More:Mayor Elorza 'dismayed' over 'no backup plan' for ExpressVote machines ahead of primary

Now, responsibilities are being split between ExpressVote vendor Election Systems & Software, the secretary of state's office and the board.

According to the board, the vendor will "provide the SOS with virtual ExpressVote screens to proof the onscreen ballots," the Secretary of State will certify that printed and electronic ballots have been checked for accuracy, and the board "will compare the ExpressVote screen to an actual test ballot, and verify that both the screen and printed ExpressVote card are accurate."

The board's executive director, Robert Rapoza, said "proofing and testing will be completed in the coming days," adding that "Rhode Island voters can have full confidence casting their ballots utilizing ExpressVote machines."

In a statement, Elorza said he is "glad to hear" about the new protocols, "and hope that this issue will similarly be addressed in the next legislative session."

"Voters deserve voting machines that are accessible and accurate, and I believe creating protocols and clarifying legislation will prevent similar issues from happening in the future."