Chicago’s election process faced significant challenges as some precincts ran out of ballots, an issue attributed to a coding error. This problem led to the printing of fewer ballots than required, contrary to state law mandates.
The Chicago Board of Election Commissioners issued an apology, acknowledging the mistake and its impact on voters. The office is still assessing the exact number of precincts affected.
On election day, residents expressed their frustration to various media outlets and City Council members due to the long delays. One voter reported returning three times to cast his vote, spending over five hours in the process. Election judges highlighted shortages in certain ballots early in the day, leading to ongoing difficulties.
Specific Precinct Challenges
Logan Square precincts experienced ballot shortages by 9 a.m., affecting voting for four hours, as reported by Alderman Daniel La Spata. Similar issues were noted in other areas.
A specific incident at the 35th Ward, 17th Precinct, involved voters waiting to use a touch-screen machine due to limited paper ballots. A discrepancy in the delivery amounts of a specific ballot type posed challenges prior to the polling place opening.
State law requires that at least 10% more ballots than registered voters be printed for each precinct. Additionally, an ample supply of ballots should be maintained for rapid distribution when necessary.
The error stemmed from complexities with split precincts where political jurisdictions are divided. This division necessitates various ballot styles, which led to a miscalculation in printing needs.
“For every precinct in the city, the board provided the correct number of total ballots, but in some split precincts the quantities of the various ballot styles were transposed,” stated the election board.
Among Chicago’s 1,291 precincts, 491 are split, where this issue may have occurred. Some voters in these areas were unaffected, while others faced shortages if they did not arrive early.
Alternative Voting Methods
Polling places typically offer touch-screen voting machines as an alternative. However, the demand for these surged, leading to lengthy waits. Some voters traveled to other locations, encountering further lines, especially downtown where waits extended beyond three hours.
The board attempted to remedy the situation by printing more ballots and dispatching extra touch-screen machines. Despite this, complaints persisted about inadequate resources for several hours.
This error was unprecedented for the election board. They assured that their IT department had established new safeguards to prevent future issues. The investigation into the incident’s scope continues.
In their statement, the election board expressed regret to voters for the delays. They commended voters’ perseverance and patience during the disruptions.
Leave a Reply