Ballot Scanner Problems Reported Across Westchester County; Voting Continues

Ballot scanners are down at polling locations throughout Westchester County on Election Day because of an issue with the paper ballots, the county Board of Elections said, but voting is continuing.

The Board of Elections said the issue is preventing voting machines from accepting ballots at polling locations throughout the county. The board corrected an earlier statement that attributed the problem to the thickness of the ballots and said the exact cause has not yet been determined. It said it is working with vendors to resolve the issue.

Voters are still able to cast their ballots. Completed ballots are being placed in designated orange emergency ballot bags, which the board said will remain secure and monitored and will be counted in accordance with election procedures.

Congressman Mike Lawler said there were issues with every ballot scanner in the county. "We do not yet know" the cause, he said, urging voters: "Do not leave the polling place without voting." Every ballot will be counted, he said.

New York Attorney General Letitia James said her office is monitoring the situation and is in touch with the state and local boards of elections. "Westchester voters can still safely fill out and turn in their ballots at their polling locations," she said. "Your votes will count."

Polls in New York opened at 6 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. There was no immediate word on when the scanner issue would be resolved.