Voting is underway in Iowa, and hundreds of thousands of Iowans are expected to make the trek to their local polling location.Long lines have already been spotted across the state, which can lead to headaches for voters and poll workers alike. Problems with voting machines have already been confirmed in at least one Iowa county. Voting issues confirmed in Story CountySome polling places in Story County are experiencing problems with voting machines, according to Story County Auditor Lucy Martin.Voters are still encouraged to cast their ballots, but those at locations dealing with machine issues may be asked to place their ballots in an emergency bin.The Story County auditor’s office also says it will request an administrative recount for impacted polling places. Polk County voting issues not widespread, auditor saysPolk County Auditor Jamie Fitzgerald says reported problems at Polk County voting locations are mostly due to user error by voters. One reported machine problem in Beaverdale was due to a procedural error while clearing some equipment out of the machine, according to the county auditor’s office.Fitzgerald said voters should feel confident in their votes because Iowa’s system relies on paper ballots, and assured voters all ballots will be counted. Fitzgerald says the worst-case scenario is voters will be asked to put their ballots into an emergency box. Those ballots will then be run through the voting machine by both a Republican and a Democrat, with a poll worker monitoring.How to report voting issues in IowaThe state has set up avenues to report issues at polling locations or with election security.The Iowa Secretary of State’s office has an election security tipline for anyone who notices voting-related issues or witnesses “questionable activity related to an election.” You can also call the voter hotline at 1-888-SOS-VOTE.You can also reach out to your county auditor’s office here.
Voting is underway in Iowa, and hundreds of thousands of Iowans are expected to make the trek to their local polling location.
Long lines have already been spotted across the state, which can lead to headaches for voters and poll workers alike. Problems with voting machines have already been confirmed in at least one Iowa county.
Voting issues confirmed in Story County
Some polling places in Story County are experiencing problems with voting machines, according to Story County Auditor Lucy Martin.
Voters are still encouraged to cast their ballots, but those at locations dealing with machine issues may be asked to place their ballots in an emergency bin.
The Story County auditor’s office also says it will request an administrative recount for impacted polling places.
Polk County voting issues not widespread, auditor says
Polk County Auditor Jamie Fitzgerald says reported problems at Polk County voting locations are mostly due to user error by voters. One reported machine problem in Beaverdale was due to a procedural error while clearing some equipment out of the machine, according to the county auditor’s office.
Fitzgerald said voters should feel confident in their votes because Iowa’s system relies on paper ballots, and assured voters all ballots will be counted.
Fitzgerald says the worst-case scenario is voters will be asked to put their ballots into an emergency box. Those ballots will then be run through the voting machine by both a Republican and a Democrat, with a poll worker monitoring.
How to report voting issues in Iowa
The state has set up avenues to report issues at polling locations or with election security.
The Iowa Secretary of State’s office has an election security tipline for anyone who notices voting-related issues or witnesses “questionable activity related to an election.” You can also call the voter hotline at 1-888-SOS-VOTE.
You can also reach out to your county auditor’s office here.
