Voting hours have been extended in Cambria County because of voting machine issues. Poll workers said voting machines were unable to scan ballots. Some precincts put paper ballots that were cast in lock boxes to be scanned later. Others told voters to return later in the day once the machines are fixed. According to a petition filed for emergency relief, “The malfunction caused voter confusions, long lines of voters, and many individuals left the polling location without casting a ballot.”A judge approved an extension until 10 p.m., but ballots cast after 8 p.m. will be provisional.Department of State The Pennsylvania Department of State posted the following on X at 9:45 a.m.”The Department of State is in contact with county officials in Cambria County. Voters are continuing to vote by paper ballot, in accordance with normal operations, while the county resolves the issue with in-precinct scanning. We are working with the County to resolve this technical matter and remain committed to ensuring a free, fair, safe, and secure election.” Cambria County Commissioners release statementCounty commissioners issued the following press release Tuesday morning:”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. 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. All 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. The County Board of Elections will be continuingto monitor this issue and take any necessary action to ensure that all voters have an opportunity to cast their ballots. We thank the community for their patience and support while this issue is rectified. In summary, all votes will be counted and we continue to encourage everyone to vote.” Reporting problemsIf you run into problems at your polling location on Election Day, you can file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Department of State. Only registered voters can do so.If you have a complaint, you should also report it to the judge of elections at your polling place before you leave.If the judge of elections does not resolve the issue, you should also report it to your county election office.You can find more information about dealing with problems at the polls and online complaint forms here.
Voting hours have been extended in Cambria County because of voting machine issues.
Poll workers said voting machines were unable to scan ballots. Some precincts put paper ballots that were cast in lock boxes to be scanned later. Others told voters to return later in the day once the machines are fixed.
According to a petition filed for emergency relief, “The malfunction caused voter confusions, long lines of voters, and many individuals left the polling location without casting a ballot.”
A judge approved an extension until 10 p.m., but ballots cast after 8 p.m. will be provisional.
Department of State
The Pennsylvania Department of State posted the following on X at 9:45 a.m.
“The Department of State is in contact with county officials in Cambria County. Voters are continuing to vote by paper ballot, in accordance with normal operations, while the county resolves the issue with in-precinct scanning. We are working with the County to resolve this technical matter and remain committed to ensuring a free, fair, safe, and secure election.”
Cambria County Commissioners release statement
County commissioners issued the following press release Tuesday morning:
“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. 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. All 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. The County Board of Elections will be continuing
to monitor this issue and take any necessary action to ensure that all voters have
an opportunity to cast their ballots. We thank the community for their patience
and support while this issue is rectified. In summary, all votes will be counted and
we continue to encourage everyone to vote.”
Reporting problems
If you run into problems at your polling location on Election Day, you can file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Department of State. Only registered voters can do so.
If you have a complaint, you should also report it to the judge of elections at your polling place before you leave.
If the judge of elections does not resolve the issue, you should also report it to your county election office.