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Cambria County asks to keep polls open until 10 p.m. after countywide voting machine malfunction

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Cambria County asks to keep polls open until 10 p.m. after countywide voting machine malfunction

Nov 05, 2024 | 12:06 pm ET
By Ian Karbal
Cambria County asks to keep polls open until 10 p.m. after countywide voting machine malfunction
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Electronic voting machines in Cambria County are malfunctioning due to a software error, according to a court filing by the county Board of Elections.

According to a petition for emergency relief filed by the Cambria County Board of Elections about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, the issue has caused long lines and confusion and some voters left their polling places without casting a ballot.

The Cambria County solicitor did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Matt Heckel, a spokesperson for the Department of State, says they are in touch with local election administrators and said that, despite the malfunctions, voters can still cast paper ballots.

“Voters are continuing to vote by paper ballot, in accordance with normal operations, while the county resolves the issue with in-precinct scanning,” Heckel said. “We are working with the county to resolve this technical matter and are committed to ensuring a free, fair, safe, and secure election.”

The Cambria County Board of Elections has submitted a petition to the Cambria County Court of Common Pleas, asking to be allowed to keep polling places open until 10 p.m., two hours later than they were scheduled to close.

Stacy Witalec, director of communications for the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, said a hearing will take place