US election: Hundreds refuse to vote in Pennsylvania county as ‘software issues’ spark outrage, polling hours extended

Voters in parts of Pennsylvania were forced to use paper ballots Tuesday morning after a software glitch affected vote-scanning machines. The incidents gave new impetus to accusations of voter fraud, with reports that many voters refused to vote or “ruined” their ballots after learning of the situation.

County officials said the issue has caused some confusion among voters, with some leaving without voting and long lines in some locations. Officials, however, insisted that no one would be disqualified from voting and that all ballots would be counted.

Local resident John Sturtz told The Mirror that about a hundred people refused to vote after seeing the situation, while “tons” of voters ruined their ballots after hearing the new instructions – essentially voting but refusing to throw the ballot in the bin.

Videos obtained by the Daily Mail show chaotic scenes inside a polling station as voters are forced to leave their ballots in a box under voting machines after a malfunction.

“The State Department is in contact with Cambria County officials. Voters are continuing to cast paper ballots as normal while the county addresses the issue with scanning at polling places. We are working with the county to resolve this technical issue and remain committed to ensuring free, fair, secure and secure elections,” the Pennsylvania Department of State wrote on X.

A later report said voting in the county had been extended until 10 p.m. local time. A Pennsylvania judge has ordered polling places to remain open for two more hours in Cambria County after local officials sought an extension.

“Voters in line before 8 p.m. will be able to vote using the county’s regular voting system. Voters who line up after 8:00 p.m. will cast a provisional ballot. then reporting their unofficial results.

(With participation of agencies)