Texas Sees Long Lines as Early Voting Begins, Technical Glitch Halts Voting in Houston Suburb

[diva77]

By Matthew Impelli On 10/13/20 at 1:02 PM EDT
https://www.newsweek.com/texas-sees-long-lines-early-voting-begins-technical-glitch-halts-voting-houston-suburb-1538716

SNIP
While a number of polling places experienced long lines due to a large voter turnout, Fort Bend County faced a different situation, as a technical glitch prevented polls from opening at their scheduled time.

Fort Bend County Judge KP George responded to the glitch, writing, "I am extremely disappointed with the technical glitches that riddled Fort Bend County Election machines this morning."

I am extremely disappointed with the technical glitches that riddled Fort Bend County Election machines this morning. Those who are responsible will be held accountable. In an era voter where suppression is real, I will authorize a full investigation and call for accountability. pic.twitter.com/ZD5Hf2y37D
— County Judge KP George (@JudgeKPGeorge) October 13, 2020

"Those who are responsible will be held accountable. In an era voter where suppression is real, I will authorize a full investigation and call for accountability," George added in his tweet.
SNIP

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Fort Bend County machines malfunction for a brief period as early voting begins

https://www.ksat.com/news/texas/2020/10/13/fort-bend-county-machines-malfunction-for-a-brief-period-as-early-voting-begins/

Voting machines across Fort Bend County were down Tuesday morning when polls opened at 8 a.m. due to a computer glitch as early voting began across Texas.

The majority of machines were back online as of 9:15 a.m., the county elections office said.

Fort Bend County Judge KP George, who is on site at the Smart Financial Center mega voting site, acknowledged "glitches in the voting system" that hampered the start of of early voting and vowed a full investigation.

"I assure you those who are responsible will be held accountable," he said in a video posted to Facebook.

Voters in Tarrant County likewise experienced long lines after a poll worker tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the county to temporarily shutter three early voting locations while officials worked to find replacement workers.

Only one location — the Euless Family Life Senior Center — remained closed as of 9:30, according to the Tarrant County Elections Office.

SNIP
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Fort Bend County recently purchased new "voting" machines -- BMDs similar to those causing problems in GA, CA, etc. They were first used in the May 2020 election.

Fort Bend County to use new voter machines in May 2020 local elections, increases poll worker wages
By Jen Para | 11:26 AM Jan 29, 2020 CST

The Fort Bend County Commissioners Court approved the use of new voting machines for the May 2 local elections at the Jan. 29 regular meeting.

Fort Bend County’s voting system is about 15 years old, and with the option for straight-party voting going away in 2020, newer technology and additional machines were needed, said John Oldham, elections administrator for Fort Bend County, in a previous interview with Community Impact Newspaper.

The county selected Elections Systems and Software’s machines and purchased about 1,700 at a total cost of approximately $7.8 million, an amount approved by Commissioners Court during an Oct. 8 meeting.

[BKDem]

1. Were there hours-long lines to vote during the Obama years?

I don't seem to recall them.

[Walleye]

2. I think it is a democracy glitch

[matt819]

3. Another question. . .

Don't these delays also affect trump voters? Sure, in definitively Democratic areas, voter suppression is likely to affect mostly Democratic voters. But in larger areas, voters of all political stripes would be affected, no?

It's like those bogus ballot boxes. Is there a secret newsletter that went to republicans telling them not to use those boxes? If not, then they will be as affected by this voter suppression tactic and Democrats.

[kacekwl]

4. " Technical Glitches " hampering voting in Chicago today also.

Funny how that always seems to happen. Amid hours long lines on top of that. This after 200+ years of voting in this country we never seem to be able to make it work properly.

[OregonBlue]

5. ES&S are the machines that have modems that connect to outside servers. Interesting

that they failed so conviently.

[Budi]

6. Are those Ivanka Putin's machines?

Took a moment of interruption to change the control switch I guess.