Ahead of Election Day, a question has followed Tennessee voters through early voting: could a touchscreen record a vote for the wrong candidate? Local election officials say no, while at least one county changed its procedures after complaints.
Madison County's answer
During early voting, the NAACP relayed complaints from Madison County voters, and Daily Deskline reported on the concerns and the county's response. The county's administrator of elections, Lori Lott, told NBC 39 that she does not believe votes change and that they certainly do not flip. She also described how the machines are prepared: a three-day process covering 259 pieces of equipment.
Lott's advice to voters was practical. Look over your ballot more than once before you submit it, and make sure the choices on the screen match the choices you meant to make.
Sevier County's change
In Sevier County, The Tennessee Flyover reported that election workers began handing voters cotton swabs and other styluses four days into early voting. The change followed reports that touchscreens had selected the candidate above or below the one a voter touched. The Flyover reported that the administrator says no complaints have come in since the change.
What voters can do
The reporting above points to a few simple habits, none of which requires special knowledge.
- Read the review screen carefully before you cast your ballot.
- If a selection looks wrong, tell a poll worker right away, before you finish voting.
- Take your time. You do not have to rush because others are waiting.
Why it matters
Early voting wrapped up in Madison County on Oct. 29 with 16,171 voters. On Tuesday, voters across the county will use the same kind of equipment at their polling places. Officials have said that voters who think a machine is not recording their choices should speak up on the spot.
The reports so far describe complaints and one county's precaution. They do not establish that any vote was changed, and Madison County's administrator has said that does not happen.
Sources: NBC 39, Daily Deskline, The Tennessee Flyover