Voting machine chaos hits key House battleground
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Rep. Mike Lawler speaks outside a JPMorgan Chase data center in Orangeburg, N.Y., on Oct. 14 as he campaigns for a third term against Democrat Cait Conley. Photo: Kena Betancur/Getty Images
Voting machines across New York's Westchester County are rejecting paper ballots on Election Day, raising concerns about potential delays in one of the nation's most competitive House races.
Why it matters: The contest between Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) and Democratic nominee Cait Conley has emerged as a key battleground race in Democrats' push to gain control of the House.
Catch up quick: The Westchester County Board of Elections said Tuesday it was aware of a problem preventing voting machines from accepting paper ballots at polling locations throughout the county.
- The Board of Elections said it is speaking with New York State officials and the Westchester County government "to address this issue and ensure that voting continues with as little disruption as possible."
- New York Attorney General Letitia James wrote on X that her office is monitoring the issue.
The intrigue: Election officials initially blamed the thickness of paper ballots but later removed that explanation from their statement, per reports.
The latest: On Tuesday afternoon, the New York State Board of Elections said the malfunction was linked to "an update to the county's election programming" released after initially testing Election Day equipment.
- Officials said the software update wasn't installed on all machines, leaving them unable to recognize and accept ballots.
- Officials are still working to restore the machines while voters continue casting emergency paper ballots, which will be counted once scanning resumes.
What they're saying: Lawler said on social media officials were working with vendors to resolve the problem, while Conley reassured voters that their ballots would count.
- Lawler told reporters later Tuesday said both parties are working together to create a solution. "Do not leave the polling place without voting," he said, adding that all votes will be counted Tuesday night.
- He said "both parties will have representation" when votes are counted "so there be no question, that there be no conspiracy theory and that every vote is counted."
- Westchester County government wrote on its website: "Let us be absolutely clear: Every eligible vote will be counted."
What we're hearing: Voters in the county told Fox 5 NY that they had to fill out paper ballots instead of using the machines. Voters said their ballots were placed in a security box.
- Other voters shared discontent with the ballots issue on social media.
- Katie Miller, wife of Trump adviser Stephen Miller, claimed on X: "This is how the Left steals elections. Mike Lawler's competitive district and they are turning away voters."
💠Thought bubble via Axios' Emily Peck: This is my district. Voting was orderly and not a problem at all this morning. Instead of putting my ballot in a scanner, I put it in an orange security bag.
- I also grabbed a piece of candy, and an "I Voted" sticker on my way out.
Context: The county covers roughly 30% of New York's 17th District, which Lawler represents.
Zoom out: The ballot-scanning problems come as technology vulnerabilities have been a key issue heading into the midterms, with researchers saying some vulnerabilities remain in plain sight.
- Officials in Broward County, Florida, reported a computer glitch that disrupted voting at polling locations early Tuesday, CNN reports.
- The malfunction reportedly caused systems designed to stop voters from receiving the wrong ballots to reject all ballots. Officials said the issue was resolved.
What's next: Voters at affected polling locations were urged to remain in line and cast their ballots.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with information about polling glitches in Broward County, Florida.
