The district of an incumbent New York House Republican who polls have shown to be mostly tied with his Democratic opponent experienced serious voting machine issues early Tuesday morning on Election Day 2026.
Westchester County, New York, which is part of the district of Republican Rep. Mike Lawler, experienced “widespread voting machine problems across the county,” according to News 12 Westchester reporter Tara Rosenblum.
The paper ballots “are too thick for the machines to accept,” she wrote in a post published to the social media site X.
Election officials were reportedly aware of the malfunction.
“The Westchester County Board of Elections says an issue with the thickness of paper ballots is preventing voting machines from accepting them at polling locations throughout the county,” News 12 Westchester confirmed.
The station reported that the Board of Elections had asked voters to remain in line, complete a paper ballot, and submit the ballot to election workers.
In a published statement, the Westchester County Board of Elections said that completed ballots would be placed “in a secure bag.”
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“Poll workers are correctly allowing voters to fill out a paper emergency ballot,” they said. “Your vote will count.”
The board also said that any voter who “would rather use a machine” could return to vote later once the machines are fixed.
However, NBC News correspondent Julie Tsirkin warned in a social media post that “if the issue isn’t fixed, the race may not be called tonight.”
Lawler, who’s battling Army veteran Cait Conley, posted to social media early Tuesday morning indicating that he was aware of the problem.
“There is a problem with every ballot scanner in Westchester County,” he wrote. “We do not yet know the exact cause of the issue, whether it is the ballot or the machine. The Board of Elections is working with their vendors to resolve it.”
“However, every ballot will be counted,” he added. “Stay on line and vote. Do not leave the polling place without voting.”
In a social media post, Conley also urged voters to remain in line.
Meanwhile, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced via social media that she was “monitoring this issue” and was “in touch” with election officials. She likewise urged voters to remain in line and trust the process.
“Westchester voters can still safely fill out and turn in their ballots at their polling locations,” she wrote. “Your votes will count.”
According to News 12 Westchester, voting issues were reported at the Hendrick Hudson Free Library in Montrose, at the Ukrainian Youth Center in Yonkers, at the Hudson Museum polling site, and at Ridgeway Elementary School in White Plains.
This article originally appeared on The Western Journal and is reposted with permission.
