Some Mpls. Precincts Dealing With Mechanical Issue
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO/AP) -- The city of Minneapolis says voting machines in a small number of its precincts are experiencing mechanical issues.
City Clerk Casey Carl says the issue is affecting about 10 of the city's 117 precincts. Voters are still being allowed to turn in their ballots, which are being kept in the election machines' auxiliary compartments until they can be counted.
Parkway United Church of Christ was one precinct that reported problems shortly after the polls opened.
"Every vote does count and I really, truly, want mine to be counted. So, it was kind of disappointing to feel like, maybe with machines not functioning, that it could be my vote is not counted," said Aaron Kosola, who voted at Parkway United Church of Christ.
The ballot counter wasn't the only problem Kosola noticed while voting. He also tried to use the Automark machine, which is a computerized way to cast your ballot. The system gave him problems while trying to mark certain candidates.
"Whenever you would touch the touch screen it wouldn't necessarily choose the candidate you were picking. That was disconcerting, but I did make it through that OK," Kosola said.
The first problem was reported in one precinct at about 8 a.m., and seemed to be an anomaly. Other precincts began calling in with similar issues at about 9:30 or 10 a.m. The city was still working to resolve the problem by midday.
"That heavy turnout means a lot of use of those machines. Those machines will break down and there are procedures for how they're repaired and swapping them out," Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie said.
Ritchie said the issues won't cause any voter delays.
(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
