Polling Troubles Due To Router Issues, Says Middlesex County

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — This morning, many Middlesex County voters reported technical issues with polling machines, as they lined to vote in state and local elections.

Middlesex County officials said operational issues were reported to the Board of Elections when polls opened at 6 a.m. Officials said the problems were mainly due to connectivity issues, as election workers struggled to connect electronic polling books to the internet.

“It became apparent that the issues were mainly due to connectivity challenges with the routers which were provided to the County by the State of New Jersey,” Officials told Patch in a statement. “These state-issued devices are intended to connect the electronic poll books to the Statewide Voter Registration System (SVRS).”

To resolve the problem, officials distributed provisional ballots as a backup voting method. County officials said, "connectivity issues have been largely resolved."

Many towns like Metuchen and Spotswood reported issues Tuesday morning. Read More Here: Metuchen Reports 'Polling Issues' Due To New Voting Software

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Known as e-poll books, the devices are used along with electronic voting machines and help in pulling up a list of eligible voters from a statewide database.

The electronic poll books require voters to sign in on a tablet, affirming they are voting legally in the election. Voters also sign a second booklet where they are given a slip to hand to a poll worker to cast their ballot.

Middlesex County officials said the issues with polling machines were not isolated to Middlesex County but were happening across the state.

Ocean County and Jersey City too experienced issues with polling machines.

Middlesex County voters who experienced an issue that deterred them from voting this morning, are asked to return to their polling place to cast their ballot.

“Voters who are in line at a polling location will be permitted to vote so long as they remain in line,” officials said.

Those who have questions about voting or experience issues at the polls today can call the New Jersey Voter Protection Hotline at 1-833-NJ-VOTES (1-833 658-6837).

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