Voting Machine Delays in Broome County (NY)
By WBNG News. September 15, 2009
Original article: http://www.wbng.com/news/local/59392262.html

The ballot marking devices are being used at every polling place.

But as Action News Reporter Julianne Sweeney tells us there were a few bumps in the road before voters could cast ballots.

The polls opened at noon, but some of the new voting machine were not ready for their debut.

It took a few extra minutes to boot up the electronic, marking machine at Catholic Charities on Front Street.

Binghamton Democratic mayoral candidate Joe Merrill had to wait to cast his ballot.

"I have my reservations about technology in this department, but I think we'll work it out." said Merrill.

At the polling place at Seton Catholic High School, the machine was out of operation for the first hour.

There was an issue with the memory card synching up with the machine.

"With any kind of technology, things happen....There always is a back up plan." said Broome County Election Inspection Chair Marlene Lausen.

Election officials at Seton Catholic say 10 to 12 voters there were forced to use emergency, paper ballots until the machine was repaired.

Here at the polling site at Davis College in Johnson City, this machine was not up and running in time for voters to use.

"Just turn it on and it will do it's things, well it didn't do it's thing." said Broome County Election Inspection Chair David Aswad.

There was a 15-minute delay until the machine rebooted and operated.

Despite these setbacks, many voters say they preferred using the electronic, marking devices.

"I thought it was quite easy. The lever machine used to confuse me quite frequently." said Diane Stratton of Binghamton.

"Gee, it sounds so easy. It was easy." said Doris Lenga of Johnson City.

The machines will be used again in the November General Election.

And election officials hope to work out any other kinks before then.

The ballot marking devices replaced old, lever voting machines.

The polls are open until 9 o'clock this evening.

Any emergency paper ballots used today will be counted Tuesday night.