Arizona Voting Glitch Gets a Lot of Attention

Some Republicans alleged fraud after tabulators malfunctioned
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 8, 2022 6:38 PM CST
Voting Process Unfolds, With a Few Glitches
An election worker waits for voters at a voting station, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Pacoima, Calif.   (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

After two years of heavy scrutiny of the election process, voting proceeded across the US Tuesday with no more than the usual number of glitches, but a problem in Arizona "garnered outsized attention," per the AP. In Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix, around a quarter of vote tabulation machines malfunctioned, causing delays—and allegations of election fraud—due to what authorities said was a problem with settings at printers at polling sites. Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake said she was "embarrassed for Arizona," while former President Donald Trump alleged that they were "trying to steal the election with bad machines."

The longest wait reported was around an hour. "I am very sorry for any voter who has been frustrated or inconvenienced today in Maricopa County," Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer said in a statement, per the Arizona Republic. "Every legal vote will be tabulated. I promise." Elsewhere:

  • In Florida, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration refused to allow federal monitors from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division inside polling locations in three Democratic-leaning counties, saying their presence would "potentially undermine confidence in the election," the Washington Post reports. Missouri also banned the monitors from entering polling places in a few counties.
  • In Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, a judge extended voting by two hours, to 10pm, due to a shortage of paper at polling places, reports the Hill.
  • A 38-year-old man was arrested in West Bend, Wisconsin, after allegedly pulling a knife at a polling place and demanding that workers "stop the voting," WISN reports. The incident delayed voting for 30 minutes.
  • In Texas, a polling station was closed after a City of Houston Parks and Recreation employee was electrocuted nearby, KHOU reports. The Harris County Election Office directed voters to another polling place after the Melrose Park location was closed.
(More 2022 midterms stories.)

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