Voting machines at most polling stations in Westchester County, New York, experienced issues that are set to delay ballot counting for Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), in one of the closest House elections in this cycle.
The Westchester County Board of Elections said the issue involved the “thickness of paper ballots,” which caused machines to reject the ballots. Lawler said the board was working with their vendors to solve the issue, and urged voters to stay in line.
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“There is a problem with every ballot scanner in Westchester County. We do not yet know the exact cause of the issue, whether it is the ballot or the machine,” he said in a post on X. “However, every ballot will be counted. Stay on line and vote. Do not leave the polling place without voting.”
After outpourings of concern from supporters, Lawler posted another message assuring voters that all votes would be counted.
“To every voter in Westchester County: DO NOT LEAVE YOUR POLLING PLACE UNTIL YOU VOTE,” he said. “Every ballot will be counted and we are already in court to make sure they are counted in one central location so that our campaign, election monitors, and our attorneys can watch and oversee the process.”
“I have confidence that every vote will be counted — just VOTE and have your voice heard,” Lawler added.
His opponent, Democrat Cait Conley, also assured voters that the issue was being resolved, and urged supporters to stay in line.
“Westchester! There are technical issues with ballot scanners in Westchester, but don’t worry: you can still vote and every vote is being counted! Don’t be dissuaded and have your voice heard,” she said.
“The issue is being worked on diligently by the Board of Elections in a bipartisan manner. The Polls are open and operational, and every vote cast will be counted. Please stay in line and have your voice heard as they work to resolve the issue,” Conley added.
The New York State Board of Elections further clarified that the issue hadn’t disrupted voting.
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“Long-established emergency ballot procedures have been implemented, where completed ballots are secured, under bipartisan control, and will be counted. While technical issues can be frustrating, contingency procedures exist for precisely these circumstances,” its statement read.
Lawler flipped New York’s 7th Congressional District in 2022, and has positioned himself in Congress as a centrist Republican. Polling has him neck-and-neck with Conley.