Election Results Will Be Delayed As Westchester Restores Limited Number Of Voting Machines

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — An error printing the ballots is now being attributed as the cause of widespread voting machine failures across Westchester County.

Speaking on Election Day, Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said that more than 200,000 ballots could have been affected by the technical issue at the polls, where the voting machine failures in Westchester County have voters placing ballots into secure bags, rather than feeding them into voting machines.

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So many ballots were affected that secure bags had to be borrowed from neighboring counties.

Despite terming the voting day "fiasco" as "unaccceptable," the county executive sought to reassure voters that the integrity of the vote will be protected by protocols in place and bipartisan watchdogs.

"At this time, people should understand that their vote will be counted. Period. The end," Jenkins said. "So if you are standing in a line or were planning to go to your polling place, continue to do so."

Jenkins said while returns will take a little longer to count, there is so far no indication that voting will be delayed or that polls will need to stay open after regular voting hours. Every candidate on the ballot would, he said, "rather have an accurate count than a fast count."

Jenkins told reporters on Tuesday afternoon that while results will not likely be known tonight, it would "not be a matter of days" before the results are tallied.

By early afternoon, election officials were able to begin reprograming a single machine at each polling place, allowing votes cast from that point on to be counted at the polling place. Jenkins said that voting could take slightly longer, but that anyone in line when polls close will be permitted to vote.

Election officials in Westchester County worked to restore voters faith in the system, after rumors of misconduct and voter suppression began swirling on social media.

"Your vote matters," the Westchester County Board of Elections said in an Election Day statement. "Your vote will count."

The Board of Elections (BOE) initially attributed the malfunction of voting machines across the entire county to an "issue involving the thickness of paper ballots that is preventing voting machines from accepting ballots."

The BOE has since walked back that explanation.

Jenkins said that the printing error caused the machines to not recognize ballot barcodes in all but one polling place. The reason that early voting ballots were not affected is because those ballots were printed at the polling place for each individual voter.

"The Westchester Board of Elections wants to reassure every voter that your vote matters, your ballot will be secure and your vote will be counted," the BOE said. "The Board of Elections is in constant communication with New York State officials, Westchester County Government and poll workers to address this issue and ensure that voting continues with as little disruption as possible."

Election officials in Westchester County said that there is a contingency plan in place.

"In the meantime, voters should continue to complete their paper ballots as instructed by poll workers," the BOE said. "Ballots will be placed in designated orange emergency ballot bags, which will remain secure and monitored. These ballots will subsequently be counted in accordance with applicable election procedures."

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins lashed out at election officials. He urged patience in the short term, and promised accountability in the days that follow.

"My office is fully aware of the ongoing problems with ballots and voting scanners across Westchester County, and I want to be absolutely clear: this situation is unacceptable," Jenkins said. "Voters should remain in line and exercise their right to vote. Every eligible voter will have the opportunity to cast their ballot, and every vote must be counted. I have directed County officials, including representatives from our Law Department, to monitor the voting process and ensure that voters can cast their ballots without interference and that every vote is properly and accurately counted."

Jenkins said everyone, no matter their political affiliation, should be outraged, calling the situation a "debacle."

"Once these issues are resolved, I will convene a bipartisan team to conduct a thorough review of the decisions and failures that led to this debacle, determine where accountability lies and ensure that this never happens again," Jenkins said. "Westchester County voters deserve a fair, secure and seamless election process. Today, we have fallen short of that standard. The voters deserve better, and I intend to make sure they get it."

Incumbent Rep. Mike Lawler, who is in a hotly contested race, urged voters to make their voices heard despite the issues at the polls.

"There is a problem with every ballot scanner in Westchester County," Lawlers campaign said in a statement. "We do not yet know the exact cause of the issue, whether it is the ballot or the machine. The Board of Elections is working with their vendors to resolve it. However, every ballot will be counted. Stay on line and vote. Do not leave the polling place without voting."

Challenger Cait Conley offered similar advice to her supporters.

"Westchester! There are technical issues with ballot scanners in Westchester, but don't worry: you can still vote and every vote is being counted!" Conley said. "Don't be dissuaded and have your voice heard. The issue is being worked on diligently by the Board of Elections in a bipartisan manner. The Polls are open and operational, and every vote cast will be counted. Please stay in line and have your voice heard as they work to resolve the issue. Thank you!"

Meanwhile, New York State officials said they are watching the situation closely.

"My office is monitoring this issue with scanners in Westchester and is in touch with the state and local Boards of Elections as they work on a solution," New York Attorney General Leticia James said. "Westchester voters can still safely fill out and turn in their ballots at their polling locations. Your votes will count."

Election officials said the technical issues will not be allowed to affect voting.

"We strongly encourage all voters to remain in line, exercise patience and, most importantly, cast their ballots," the Westchester County BOE said in its Election Day statement. "The BOE sincerely apologizes to voters and poll workers for the inconvenience this situation has caused, and the BOE recognizes the importance of a smooth and efficient voting process. They are taking every necessary step to address the issue as quickly as possible. Let us be absolutely clear: Every eligible vote will be counted. No voter should be discouraged from participating in this election because of this issue. Your voice matters. Your vote matters. Please stay in line and vote."

The New York State Board of Elections said it is aware of the
issue affecting ballot scanning in Westchester County.

"The Westchester County Board of Elections is actively working to resolve it as quickly as possible, and we
remain in constant contact with them," the State Board of Elections said in a statement. "Voters should rest assured that there has been no disruption to voting. The long-established emergency ballot procedures have been implemented, where completed ballots are secured, under bipartisan control, and will be counted. While technical issues can be frustrating, contingency procedures exist for precisely these circumstances. Bipartisan election officials are diligently working to ensure every eligible voter has the opportunity to cast their ballot."