On Election Day, voters in two heavily Republican Pennsylvania counties faced widespread issues with voting machines, causing confusion, long lines, and raising concerns about potential voter disenfranchisement. The malfunctions occurred in Cambria and Bedford counties, both of which strongly supported former President Donald Trump in previous elections.

Early Voting Problems Spark Concerns

Cambria County Solicitor Ron Repak confirmed a software malfunction in the county’s electronic voting system early Tuesday morning. Voters in Cambria, where Trump secured 68% of the vote in 2020, experienced difficulties scanning their ballots. The issue also affected Bedford County, where Trump won 83% of the vote.

“This should not discourage voters from voting at their precincts,” Repak assured in a statement. “The Board has filed a Court Order extending the time to vote within Cambria County.”

Voter Reactions and Emergency Measures

Nathan Anderson, a Trump supporter from Johnstown, Cambria’s largest city, encountered the malfunction firsthand. “I was able to turn in my ballot, whether or not it gets scanned, I’ll never know,” he said, expressing concerns shared by many voters who left their ballots with poll workers for later scanning.

To address the problem, election officials sought a court order to extend voting hours until 10 p.m., two hours past the regular closing time. The petition cited voter confusion and long lines, emphasizing that some voters left without casting their ballots. A judge quickly approved the extension, stipulating that ballots cast after 8 p.m. would be provisional.

Political Implications in a Crucial Swing State

Pennsylvania, holding the most electoral college votes among swing states, is pivotal in the 2024 presidential race. Trump’s narrow loss in Pennsylvania in 2020, by just over one percentage point, makes the state a critical battleground. The current deadlock in the polls between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris heightens the stakes.

Cambria and Bedford counties, with populations of 131,000 and 47,000 respectively, are central to Trump’s campaign strategy. Both counties were visited by Trump and Harris during their campaigns, underscoring their importance.

Concerns Over Election Integrity

The voting machine issues have reignited concerns over election integrity. Trump, who has previously made unsubstantiated claims about voter fraud, urged his supporters to stay in line despite the delays. “Voter enthusiasm is THROUGH THE ROOF because people want to Make America Great Again,” he posted on Truth Social. “STAY IN LINE! The Radical Communist Democrats want you to pack up and go home.”

Republicans worry that the malfunctions could provide grounds for legal challenges. Trump’s allies are prepared to scrutinize any irregularities, and the situation in Cambria and Bedford could become a focal point for potential lawsuits.

Ensuring Ballot Security

Repak emphasized that the county’s response illustrates the system’s capacity to safeguard voter rights. IT specialists were deployed to address the malfunction, and measures were taken to secure all completed ballots.

“Express voting machines are available at precinct locations to allow continued electronic voting, while hand ballots are also being cast,” Repak explained. “The County Board of Elections will monitor the issue to ensure every voter can cast their ballot.”

Local voter Jessie Anderson, who opted for early voting, expressed relief at her decision. “I’ve never voted early before, but with all the warnings, I wanted to make sure my vote counted,” she said.

Statewide Response and Ongoing Efforts

The Pennsylvania Department of State acknowledged the issues and pledged to work with local officials to resolve them. “Voters are continuing to vote by paper ballot while the county resolves the in-precinct scanning issue,” the department stated. “We remain committed to ensuring a free, fair, safe, and secure election.”

As Pennsylvania remains a statistical tossup, both Trump and Harris are vying for victory in this crucial state. The latest RealClearPolitics polling aggregate shows Trump with a slight 0.6 percentage point lead over Harris, underscoring the high stakes in Pennsylvania’s electoral outcome.

The resolution of the voting machine issues and the handling of provisional ballots will be closely watched as the election results unfold.