Developments and High Interest Cause Election Troubles
Next week, the polls will close for this enormously popular election. Millions of Americans have already turned out to vote in one of the highest voter-interest elections in recent memory.
The season has not been without its problems, however.
The increased voter turnout has resulted in longer lines at the polls. New voting technology has caused its own share of problems with voters and volunteers inexperienced with the programs. Voter registration and identification have experienced changes as well which may cause difficulties for participants as well.
A study released last week by the Pew Center finds that while significant changes have been implemented since the notorious foul-ups in the 2000 election-voting administration still remains a challenge.
“Sky high interest, coupled with changes in voting machines, record numbers of new registrants in many places and new procedures including voter identification rules in some states will mean voters and election administrators could have a long day on November 4,” said Doug Chapin, director of electionline.org.
Record numbers have turned out for early voting in many sections of the United States. This leads some to believe that Election Day could be a nightmare for both line-waiting voters and weary administrators.
Key states, including Florida and California, have replaced voting machines purchased as recently as six years ago because officials are concerned with security and reliability issues. Optical scanners in some south Florida counties mark the third new voting system in as many presidential elections.
All of these factors add up to headaches for the elections administrators, which means that some state results may take longer to post than normally expected.
“Many polling places will hit capacity and poll workers will hit capacity and poll workers will be tested. Results from some counties could take longer than usual,” said Chapin.
