Some voters report problems at polls; election commission says be careful when casting ballot

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Shelby County Democrats scheduled a news briefing Thursday after they say they received reports of problems at the polls, but the election commission says the problems may come down to user error.

Representative G. A. Hardaway, chairman of the Shelby County Democratic Caucus, says constituents have contacted elected representatives telling them that their votes have defaulted to a different candidate than the one they voted for at different polling places.

WREG was contacted by voters of both parties about this issue.

Residents from Arlington, Bartlett and Memphis near Mississippi Boulevard reported that when they use the electronic voting machines, the machine switches their vote to another option.

Deonna Rigler said it happened to her when she voted with her husband.

“It just went to a completely different party, and that’s what scared me,” Rigler said, adding a poll worker advised her to click the name, not the box.

The Shelby County Election Commission posted a video demonstration Thursday afternoon on how to properly use the touch-screen voting machines.

They said voters should make sure to press in the center of the box, on top of the selection. You can use your finger, or a stylus, which is available at all polling places, they said.

“If you aim for the box you often miss it and it’s touching the one above it, so touch inside anywhere on the candidate’s name,” Elections Administrator Linda Phillips said.

Hardaway was joined at the news conference by Venecia Kimbrow, an election commissioner. She said many of the county’s machines are new and were calibrated just before going into service.

“They are stand-alone equipment; there are no signals being transmitted between machines. We have some of the best equipment in the country,” Kimbrow said.

But she’s not ruling out the concerns some are having.

“We really just want them to call in, give us your name, don’t leave your machine. We want to document what that machine number is,” she said.

Early voting for the Nov. 5 election opened Wednesday in Tennessee.

“We are committed to a smooth and transparent voting process. To date, no voting irregularities have been identified,” Phillips said in a statement. “We encourage all voters to carefully review their ballot before casting it. Poll workers are on site at all precincts to assist as needed.”

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