Scarsdale Voters Share Thoughts on Economy, New Voting Machines

Although their backgrounds, ages and polling centers varied, many Scarsdale citizens who voted in tonight's elections shared two similar concerns: the country's economy state and the efficiency of the state's new electronic voting machines.

"An issue that brought me vote is the economy and the working family—people who are losing homes because of taxes," said Tom Naclerio, 18, a Scarsdale resident who voted at Scarsdale Village Hall.

"We have really high taxes in Scarsdale. I've had friends who've have to move to apartments because they can't afford to live in their homes anymore," said Naclerio.

Grace Flynn and Ted Chang, two Scarsdale residents who voted at Edgewood School, echoed Naclerio's sentiments. "I'm concerned about the economy, taxes and people out of work," said Flynn, 72. 

Chang, 80, agreed with Flynn. "Jobs. People are looking for jobs," said Chang.

Scarsdale residents also showed reservations towards the state's new optical scanning voting machines.

Naclerio, a first-time voter who had never filled out a paper ballot, found the new electronic voting machines to be "fast and easy." However, others using the machines reported difficult or unwieldy experiences.

"They're strange. They seem a little exposed, and the very little dots are not easy for people to fill in," said a 46-year-old Scarsdale female who voted at Village Hall who did not want to give her name.

Two voters at the Scarsdale Public Library reflected similar viewpoints. One female voter who works for Light House International, a non-profit organization that aids individuals experiencing vision loss, was worried that voters with impaired vision would not be able to use the machines.

"The old voting machines were easier to see and navigate," said the voter, a Hartsdale resident.   

Voting machine glitches have been reported throughout the day across Westchester County. According to LoHud.com, Port Chester High School's scanning machine was out of commission for two hours during the morning hours, a custodian at Hartsdale's Solomon Schechter School accidentally locked away election ballots in a closet until shortly after 8 a.m. and election machines were disabled by bleed-through in Lewisboro and other areas with back-of-ballot propositions.

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