The casting of ballots on Election Day has been disrupted in a Pennsylvania county after the voting machines suffered a “software malfunction.”
Cambria County officials revealed that the software problem “prevented voters from scanning their ballots.”
Voting hours have now been extended in the county due to the issue.
In a statement to news outlets on Tuesday morning, county commissioners said:
“The Cambria County Board of Election learned early this morning that a software malfunction in the County’s Electronic Voting System has prevented voters from scanning their ballots.”
The board filed to the Court of Common Pleas for an extension of voting hours.
Local media reported that the court extended the poll closing time from 8 pm to 10 pm.
“No one should be turned away from the polls if they wish to cast their vote,” the board said.
The board added in a later statement:
“All completed ballots will be accepted, secured, and counted by the Board of Elections.
“The County Board of Elections has express voting machine at precinct locations to continue to allow voting electronically, while still allowing hand ballots to be cast.
“The County Board of Elections will be continuing to monitor this issue and take any necessary action to ensure that all voters have an opportunity to cast their ballots.”
The board also said it has brought in computer experts to review the software issue.
The Pennsylvania Department of State said it is in contact with Cambria County officials.
In a post on X, the department said:
“Voters are continuing to vote by paper ballot, in accordance with normal operations, while the county resolves the issue with in-precinct scanning.
“We are working with the County to resolve this technical matter and remain committed to ensuring a free, fair, safe, and secure election.”
The Department of State is in contact with county officials in Cambria County. Voters are continuing to vote by paper ballot, in accordance with normal operations, while the county resolves the issue with in-precinct scanning. We are working with the County to resolve this…
— PA Department of State (@PAStateDept) November 5, 2024
The Republican National Committee said it submitted a filing in support of the county’s legal filing.
In a statement, RNC Chairman Michael Whatley said:
“This morning’s ballot processing issues in Cambria have resulted in delays—this is unacceptable, plain and simple.
“Our legal team acted immediately to support extended hours to give voters the opportunity to vote—we need voters to STAY IN LINE!”
Cambria County, located east of Pittsburgh, has about 133,000 residents.
The county voted heavily for President Donald Trump in the last presidential election.
In 2020, Trump received 68.1 percent of the votes in the county, while Joe Biden received 30.7 percent.
The rest of the votes went to a third-party candidate.
