A Kentucky voter took to social media this week to share a troubling experience with a touchscreen voting machine that allegedly switched his vote for President Trump and JD Vance to the opposing candidates, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. The incident, which he recorded and posted online, showed him repeatedly pressing the box for Trump-Vance, only to have the touchscreen highlight the Harris-Walz option instead. The video quickly circulated online, with many viewers questioning the accuracy and reliability of touchscreen voting machines.
Nick Sorter, a popular political commentator on X (formerly Twitter), amplified the video, asking, “Why does this always seem to happen in one direction and not the other?” The video sparked a wave of concern among viewers, with many calling for a switch to paper ballots.
🚨 NEW: Some voting machines in Kentucky are NOT ALLOWING voters to select President Trump.
Instead, when they tap “Trump,” Kamala Harris ends up being selected.
Add it to the list of reasons to switch to paper ballots.
Why does this always seem happen in one direction and not… pic.twitter.com/2QOO93DS1v
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) October 31, 2024
Following the viral video, Laurel County Clerk Tony Brown confirmed on Facebook that the machine in question was indeed malfunctioning. According to Brown, the Kentucky Attorney General’s office visited the polling center to investigate the device. After several minutes of testing, officials were able to replicate the issue under specific conditions, revealing that pressing a precise spot between the options could cause the machine to select the opposing candidate. However, Brown emphasized that they were unable to reproduce the glitch consistently after that initial occurrence.
In his statement, Brown explained how the ballot marking device works: the voter selects their choices on the touchscreen, reviews the final ballot twice, and has the opportunity to receive a new ballot if any errors are found. Once confirmed, the machine prints the completed ballot, which the voter can review again before placing it in the scanner for counting. Brown noted that Kentucky law allows each voter up to two spoiled ballots, meaning they can request replacements if they make a mistake.
Addressing the unusual glitch, Brown expressed disappointment, stating, “I hate that this has occurred here in Laurel County. We strive to have accurate, secure, and safe elections.” He assured voters that no other reports of issues with the machine had been received before or after the incident, and that the device was thoroughly tested and returned to service.
While Brown and the Attorney General’s office were quick to respond, this incident highlights growing concerns about touchscreen voting machines. Many Americans are now calling for increased vigilance, encouraging voters to double-check their selections and ensure their ballots are recorded accurately. As Election Day approaches, this situation serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accuracy in every aspect of the voting process.
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