Jupiter Voter Says Touchscreen Machine Kept Showing the Wrong Candidate
A Jupiter voter says a touchscreen voting machine at the Jupiter Community Center kept showing the wrong candidate while she tried to cast her early-voting ballot, CBS12 reported.
Amanda Mathis told the station that when she tapped her choice in the first race on her ballot, the machine displayed a different candidate. She said it took about four tries before her selection registered correctly. CBS12 did not name the race or the candidates.
"I grew up with the original iPod, man, I'm the touchscreen generation," Mathis said, adding that she works for a software company. "The technology wasn't working for me."
Mathis said she reported the problem to a poll worker and then emailed the Supervisor of Elections Office. She said the reply she got was a form response telling her she hadn't followed protocol. She told CBS12 she is not pushing conspiracy theories and only wants officials to take the issue seriously.
What the elections office says
Palm Beach County's supervisor of elections told CBS12 that touchscreen trouble can come from several things, including long fingernails, very sensitive screens and missing styluses. The office recommends using a stylus when one is available.
The supervisor also said the machines have an advantage over paper. "It doesn't allow you to make an overvote," the supervisor said. "With these, you're able to change it on the screen right away."
The office sends equipment to each site based on how voters there have voted in past elections. Sites where more people asked for paper get more paper ballots.
You can ask for paper
Voters who would rather fill in ovals on a paper ballot can still request one. When CBS12's reporter went to vote at the Jupiter Community Center, poll workers directed him to the touchscreens. Ask for paper when you check in and show your ID.
Whichever method you use, review every selection on the summary screen or ballot before you cast it. If something doesn't look right, tell a poll worker before you submit.
Early voting
Early voting runs through Sunday, November 1, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Jupiter-area sites are the Jupiter Community Center at 200 Military Trail, FAU Jupiter at 5353 Parkside Drive and the Tequesta Recreation Center at 399 Seabrook Road. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.