BREAKING UPDATE: Court allows Cambria County to extend voting for 2 hours after early voting machine failure

A Pennsylvania county is able to extend voting hours until 10 pm EST after filing for an extension after software issues have plagued voters across the area, a court has ruled. Cambria County, Pennsylvania, saw widespread issues with machines being unable to scan ballots and count votes on Tuesday morning.  

According to WETM, voters noted that there were widespread issues with voting at different polling locations in the county within the vital battleground state. Some polling locations are now putting ballots in locked up boxes in order to be scanned later and some are telling voters to come back to vote after the machines have been fixed. 

Cambria County commissioners filed an emergency request to extend voting hours to 10 pm and the request was granted by the court for Cambria County. Polls are scheduled to close at 8 pm in the state.

In response, Cambria County's election official Ron Repak stated, "The Cambria County Board of Election learned early this morning that a software malfunction in the County’s Electronic Voting System has prevented voters from scanning their ballots. This should not discourage voters from voting at their voting precincts. The Board has filed a Court Order extending the time to vote within Cambria County." 

"No one should be turned away from the polls if they wish to cast their vote. Cambria County Board of Elections took measures to have IT specialists called to review the software issue. There is a process in place for issues of this nature. All completed ballots will be accepted, secured, and counted by the Board of Elections. The County Board of Elections has express voting machines at precinct locations to continue to allow voting electronically, while still allowing hand ballots to be cast.”

“The County Board of Elections will continue to monitor this issue and take any necessary action to ensure that all voters have an opportunity to cast their ballots. We thank the community for their patience and support while this issue is rectified. In summary, all votes will be counted and we continue to encourage everyone to vote," he added.  

GOP Chairman Michael Whatley posted in response to the problems: "We understand that there are some line delays on the ground. We need you to stay in line. We need you to fill out your ballot in full and deliver it. Our Pennsylvania lawyers are all over this issue and will ensure fairness and accuracy in the process. Stay in line! Deliver your ballot!"