Pennsylvania’s Cambria County has been forced to make an election day switch to paper ballots following widespread issues with voting machines in the heavily Republican locality.
The technology issue predominately impacts ballot scanners, meaning the printed electronic votes must be hand-counted for tabulation.
“The Cambria County Board of Election learned early this morning that a software malfunction in the County’s Electronic Voting System has prevented voters from scanning their ballots. This should not discourage voters from voting at their voting precincts,” Cambria County solicitor Ron Repak said in a statement early Tuesday morning. He added: “The Board has filed a Court Order extending the time to vote within Cambria County. No one should be turned away from the polls if they wish to cast their vote. Cambria County Board of Elections took measures to have IT specialists called to review the software issue. There is a process in place for issues of this nature.”
The Cambria County official claims that “[a]ll completed ballots will be accepted, secured, and counted by the Board of Elections.”
“The County Board of Elections has express voting machine at precinct locations to continue to allow voting electronically, while still allowing hand ballots to be cast,” Repak said, adding that all votes will be counted.
Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Department of State issued a statement saying it is aware of the situation in Cambria County and is working with local officials on a solution. “Voters are continuing to vote by paper ballot, in accordance with normal operations, while the county resolves the issue with in-precinct scanning,” it said in a post on X (formerly Twitter), adding: “We are working with the County to resolve this technical matter and remain committed to ensuring a free, fair, safe, and secure election.”
Voting machines are down in deep red Cambria County, PA. STAY. IN. LINE.
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) November 5, 2024