New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio urged city voters to remain in line to vote, despite broken scanners at multiple polling stations.
“To everyone waiting in line to vote because of a broken scanner or other problems, your voice matters,” de Blasio, a Democrat, tweeted Tuesday. “Please stay in line. And let’s once and for all get true Board of Elections reforms like early voting so this never happens again. NYC deserves so much better.”
To everyone waiting in line to vote because of a broken scanner or other problems, your voice matters. Please stay in line. And let’s once and for all get true Board of Elections reforms like early voting so this never happens again. NYC deserves so much better.
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) November 6, 2018
Earlier on Tuesday morning, reports emerged that not all scanners were operating properly.
“Complaints of only one of four scanners working at PS 208 in my district,” New York City Councilman Jumaane Williams tweeted.
Complaints of only one of four scanners working at PS 208 in my district. @BOENYC please respond quickly.
Voters please stay even through the frustration. EVERY one of your votes are needed. Thank you#ElectionDay #vote
— Jumaane Williams (@JumaaneWilliams) November 6, 2018
The New York City Board of Elections responded Tuesday morning to Williams and said that a technician had been dispatched, but voters have continued to report malfunctioning machines.
Long lines at polling places have also been reported at a precinct on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, where a line to scan ballots wrapped around a junior high school gym.
According to the Associated Press, voters were informed by poll workers that two of the approximately six scanners were not operating correctly.
A spokesperson for the New York City Board of Elections did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Washington Examiner.
