Voting hours extended in Pennsylvania county hit by software glitch
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Voters waiting in line to cast their ballots in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Nov 5.
PHOTO: AFP
WASHIGNTON - A Pennsylvania court approved a request on Nov 5 to extend voting hours in a strongly pro-Trump county after voting machines in the key swing state experienced an Election Day software glitch.
The ruling means the polls will stay open for an additional two hours in a county that broke roughly 70 per cent to 30 per cent in favour of Trump in 2020, in a pivotal state that could decide the outcome of this year’s presidential race between Trump and his Democratic rival, Ms Kamala Harris.
The case was brought by the local board of elections, who said a “software malfunction” at electronic voting machines had “prevented voters from scanning their completed ballots,” according to court documents filed on Nov 5.
In response, the Cambria County Court of Common Pleas ordered that voting hours be extended from 8pm to 10pm local time.
“This morning’s ballot processing issues in Cambria have resulted in delays - this is unacceptable, plain and simple,” Republican National Committee chairman Michael Whatley said in a statement, after the case had been submitted.
“Our legal team acted immediately to support extended hours to give voters the opportunity to vote - we need voters to STAY IN LINE!” he added. AFP
