Ballot Scanners Fail Across New York’s Westchester County

The New York Attorney General’s Office said it is monitoring a widespread technical issue with ballot scanning machines in Westchester County that may force the county’s election workers to count votes by hand.

None of the county’s voting machines were operating on Tuesday morning, authorities said. It is unclear when they will be back online, though New York Attorney General Letitia James said county officials are working to resolve the issue.

“Westchester voters can still safely fill out and turn in their ballots at their polling locations. Your votes will count,” James said on X.

New York state Sen. Pete Harckham, a Democrat who represents parts of Westchester County, said the issue stems from the thickness of the ballot paper.

“They will be able to scan ballots later,” Harckham said in a video posted to social media.

The Westchester County Board of Elections could not immediately be reached for comment.

Westchester County is one of the most populous counties in the state and sits just outside of New York City. Polls show the race between Republican Rep. Mike Lawler, who is running for reelection in the district that encompasses much of the county, and Democratic candidate Cait Conley is a toss-up.

In a statement posted to X, the Westchester County Board of Elections said it is communicating with state and local officials and poll workers to address the issue.

Voters are being encouraged to remain in line and vote. Their ballots will be placed in orange emergency ballot bags that will remain secure and monitored, the board said.

Officials will then count the votes in accordance with applicable election procedures.

“Let us be absolutely clear: Every eligible vote will be counted,” the board said, apologizing for the inconvenience posed by the issue.

“No voter should be discouraged from participating in this election because of this issue. Your voice matters. Your vote matters. Please stay in line and vote.”

Lawler also confirmed an issue with the ballot scanners and encouraged voters to stay in line.

“We do not yet know the exact cause of the issue, whether it is the ballot or the machine,” Lawler said. “The Board of Elections is working with their vendors to resolve it.”

Some Republicans almost immediately suggested that the malfunction was part of a coordinated attack by Democrats to rig the midterm elections, an insinuation that follows President Donald Trump’s debunked claims of widespread voter fraud across the country.

“No surprise. The Democrats in NY will do anything and everything to cheat,” Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-New York), who serves as chair of the House Election Integrity Caucus, wrote on X.

Conservative commentator Laura Loomer, a Trump confidante, echoed Tenney’s remarks.

“Democrats are already trying to steal the election in New York today,” she wrote. “What are the odds the ballot machines in Westchester County aren’t working?”

She added: “Democrats only know how to cheat.”