The district of a Republican congressman from New York seeking reelection suffered serious problems with voting machines during the morning of this Tuesday, so the result of this particular election may not be known tonight.
Westchester County, located in the state of New York and represented in Congress by Republican Mike Lawler, is a key territory in determining which party will control the House of Representatives next year.
According to local journalists, Westchester reported "widespread failures in voting machines throughout the county," due to the fact that the paper ballots “are too thick for the machines to process”. Election officials confirmed they are aware of the malfunction and asked voters to remain in line.
Republican Mike Lawler is fighting for his reelection this November 3.
"The Westchester County Board of Elections reported that a problem with the thickness of the paper ballots is preventing the scanners from accepting them at polling places throughout the county," confirmed News 12 of Westchester.
In a statement, the County Board of Elections indicated that completed ballots will be placed "in a secure bag" to be counted later. Consequently, voters will need to complete an emergency paper ballot, while those who prefer to use a machine can return to vote later.
Lawler is competing in this district against Army veteran Cait Conley. The candidate, supported by President Donald Trump, posted on his social media that he was aware of the situation:
"There is a problem with every ballot scanner in Westchester County. We still do not know the exact cause of the problem, whether it is the ballot or the machine. The Board of Elections is working with its vendors to resolve it. However, every vote will be counted. Stay in line and vote. Do not leave the polling place without casting your vote," said the congressman. For her part, his rival urged voters to do the same.
Meanwhile, New York Attorney General, the far-left Democrat Letitia James, announced that she was "monitoring the issue" and in constant "contact" with election officials. Likewise, she urged citizens to stay in line and trust the process, assuring that all votes, even if in a rudimentary manner, will be counted.
In the early hours of this Tuesday, an operational blunder was already recorded in the Democratic state of New York.