Some Palm Beach County voters have reported problems with touch voting machines and ballot options during the second week of early voting, prompting responses from election officials and party leaders.
One resident, who declined to appear on camera, said a touch machine selected a candidate she did not intend to choose on three separate attempts. Supervisor of Elections Wendy Sartory Link said voters can ask for a stylus. She said crowded ballots with closely spaced races can lead people using their fingers to hit the wrong box.
The Republican Party of Palm Beach County also passed along a complaint that some voters were not offered a paper ballot when they asked for one. Link disputed that, saying every polling location has at least one ballot-on-demand printer. She said poll workers tell voters in line about the options, although many voters do not learn of them until they reach the machine.
Party chairman Carl Cascio said the party relays voter messages to the supervisor so problems can be fixed. He said state law requires a paper ballot upon request.
Link also pointed to a scheduling app that lets voters book an appointment to vote. Early voting sites in the county accept ballots from any location, but on Election Day voters must go to their assigned polling place.
