The County Board of Elections issued the following statement at approximately 8:15 am on Tuesday morning, Election Day:
Updated: at approximately 8:35am, the Westchester County Board of Elections issued a corrected statement replacing the words “an issue involving the thickness of paper ballots” with “an issue involving paper ballots”
No explanation was given in regards to the removal of “thickness” being the issue.
“STATEMENT FROM THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS
Your Vote Matters. Your Vote Will Count.
(White Plains, NY) – The Westchester County Board of Elections (BOE) is aware of an issue involving the thickness of paper ballots that is preventing voting machines from accepting ballots at polling locations throughout the County. 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 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. In the meantime, voters should continue to complete their paper ballots as instructed by poll workers. 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.
We strongly encourage all voters to remain in line, exercise patience and, most importantly, cast their ballots.
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.”
I don’t know but I used a voting machine during the early voting period at the Resurrection Early Childhood Center in Rye, and my ballot was accepted. Seems awfully convenient that there is a problem NOW with the machines and the ballots.