Carbon Co. official: voting machines working properly
Despite reports on social media, Carbon County election officials say they have not heard any reports of voting machines switching votes.
Lisa Dart, the director of Carbon County's Bureau of Elections, said that she received only one report -- which didn't come from a voter -- about a possibly malfunctioning machine. She said that the voter was able to correct his vote before submitting it.In other parts of the state, there have been reports of machines changing a straight party Republican vote to a straight party Democratic vote just before the vote is submitted, however it's unkown whether those claims are valid. Dart said she does not believe that's what happened here.Anyone who has a problem with their voting machine should report it to the judge of elections at their local polling place, Dart said. They can also fill out a provisional paper ballot. If for any reason, they are still unsatisfied, they can contact the Carbon County Bureau of Elections at 570-325-4801.In Schuylkill County, the county's republican party reported that they heard of problems with straight party votes as well. However the Schuylkill County Elections Bureau was unavailable for comment Tuesday afternoon.The incident Dart referenced, which occurred early Tuesday morning at the Palmer House in Palmerton, was not reported by the actual voter. She said she got a call from someone else in the polling place, but not the voter himself.Carbon County's voting machines were calibrated in the three weeks leading up to the election, Dart said. Dart said they have been in use in the county since before she took over in 2010.After the 2014 election, the county commissioners reported that at least one machine had a glitch, and was quickly replaced.Earlier Today:Lisa Dart, director of the Carbon County Elections Office, said as of 10 a.m., the voter turnout is “immense.”She added, “We’re extremely busy. There are long lines. Be patient.”As a result, the office is taking a third machine to the Palmerton Ambulance Building, where there are normally only two.Dart added, “Cards are not reading here and there, but they’re being replaced.”Frannie Brennan, director of elections, Schuylkill County Election Bureau, said she is hearing about heavy turnouts.Brennan said, “Always busy during a presidential (election).”