November 1, 2024
A voter in Kentucky set social media ablaze after he posted a video showing a touchscreen voting machine that would not allow him to select Donald Trump and JD Vance as his choices. Instead, when he attempted to vote for the Trump-Vance ticket, the machine appeared to select the Kamala Harris and Tim Walz option instead.
The video was widely shared on X, with commentator Nick Sorter questioning why such issues often seem to affect one political direction. The video quickly gained traction as viewers expressed frustration and concern over potential voting irregularities, with many calling for a return to paper ballots.
After the video went viral, Laurel County Clerk Tony Brown responded on Facebook, confirming that the video was indeed legitimate and that the machine in question had malfunctioned. Brown explained that while the incident was real, the issue seemed to be specific to how the voter interacted with the touchscreen, pressing between the boxes, which unintentionally caused the machine to register the opposite selection. Brown noted that, despite several attempts, officials were only able to replicate the malfunction once.
Statement from the Clerk’s Office
Brown’s detailed post on Facebook aimed to reassure voters that, while a malfunction had occurred, there were multiple checks in place to ensure that voters’ choices are accurately recorded. He explained that Kentucky uses ballot-marking devices that allow voters to insert their blank ballots into the machine, review their selections multiple times, and confirm them before submitting the final printed ballot into the scanner for counting.
In his post, Brown stated, “We strive to have accurate, secure, and safe elections that we are proud to provide to our citizens. This incident, while unfortunate, is not representative of the usual performance of our machines.”
Brown also posted a video showing himself testing the machine without issues. He reiterated that the machine had been removed from service immediately after the incident and that the Attorney General’s Office had since investigated.
Attorney General’s Involvement
The Kentucky Attorney General’s Office dispatched representatives to inspect the machine and verify the reported malfunction. After testing, they confirmed that the machine did, in fact, experience an isolated glitch, though attempts to replicate the issue yielded inconsistent results. The AG’s office emphasized that the machine has remained in full view and will undergo further examination to ensure no additional errors occur.
Public Reaction and Concerns
The incident has sparked discussions around election integrity, with many voters calling for increased transparency and reliability in voting systems. Some individuals have questioned whether similar malfunctions may have occurred undetected in other machines, prompting calls for more oversight and transparency.
“Why does this always seem to happen in one direction and not the other?” asked Nick Sorter in his X post, echoing a sentiment felt by many commenters.
A Call for Vigilance
Election officials encourage voters to remain vigilant, reminding them to carefully review their selections before submitting their ballots. This Kentucky incident highlights the importance of ensuring that all votes are correctly recorded and that any technological issues are promptly addressed. As election day nears, election integrity remains a pressing issue, with many urging voters to pay close attention to their voting process.
The incident underscores the significance of transparency in electoral processes, and for many, it raises the question of whether further reforms, such as a shift to paper ballots, are necessary to ensure the highest standards of election security and public trust.
Sources:
🚨 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
