Election Day scanner glitch affects Westchester voting sites

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, New York (WABC) — A countywide voting problem that disrupted Election Day operations in Westchester County is caused by the thickness of paper ballots, according to the Westchester County Board of Elections, which says every ballot will still be counted.

The problem surfaced Tuesday morning when voting machines at polling places across the county began rejecting ballots. Municipalities, including the city of North Salem, alerted residents that scanners were not accepting ballots and advised voters to continue voting while election officials worked to resolve the problem.

The Board of Elections later said the problem involved the thickness of voting paper, which prevents voting machines from accepting ballots at Westchester polling places. Officials said voting remained operational and urged voters not to leave polling locations.

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Voters whose ballots cannot be scanned should place them in designated orange emergency ballot bags. Election officials said those ballots would remain secure, monitored and counted in accordance with election procedures.

The disruption has drawn particular attention because Westchester County is a key battleground in the closely watched New York 17th Congressional District race between Democratic challenger Cait Conley and Republican Rep. Mike Lawler. Both candidates urged voters to stay online and vote despite technical issues.

“There are technical issues with the ballot scanners in Westchester, but don’t worry: you can still vote and every vote is counted!” Conley wrote on social media.

Lawler also sought to reassure voters, saying election officials were working to determine whether the problem was with the ballots or the machines.

“However, every ballot will be counted. Stay in line and vote. Do not leave the polling place without voting,” Lawler said.

The Board of Elections said it remains in constant communication with New York state officials, county leaders and election workers as technicians work to restore normal operations. Officials apologized for the disruption and reiterated that voters should not be discouraged from participating.

“Every eligible vote will be counted. No voter should be discouraged from participating in this election because of this issue,” the board said.