New York reports widespread voting problems with new machines

The campaign of Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), who faced a primary challenge amid an ethics scandal, launched a voter education effort
earlier this month throughout his district to teach voters how
to use the new electronic machines.

And Rangel’s campaign didn’t appear too concerned about voting problems in its district Tuesday.

In Harlem, one staffer from a rival campaign described his observation of the turnout as “low but overwhelmingly pro-Rangel.”

Voters streaming out of the polling place in Harlem where Rangel cast
his own vote Tuesday morning with little problem, did complain about
the new machines though.

Harlem voter Nathan Ingram said he almost had to vote with an emergency ballot because of confusion over how to use the new system.

“Im not sure the workers knew exactly what to do, but they didn’t explain it enough,” he said.

Another voter complained that the type on the ballot was too small and
said he almost voted for the wrong candidate in a state assembly race.

Later Tuesday, as the lines tapered off, the complaints dwindled, at
least in Rangel’s district. Harlem voter Anna Barrow described the new
electronic machines as “a breeze.”

Still, early in the evening the campaign embarked on a last minute
truck caravan through the heart of district with some 40 or so
volunteers to round up last minute voters.

The voting problems touched other competitive races as well,
including the Republican primary to challenge Rep. Mike McMahon (D-N.Y.).

The one borough where the fewest number of voting complaints emerged was Staten Island.