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In the midst of scattered complaints from both the electorate and the right to vote of both parties, that their ballot papers did not, at first, correctly record their choice, whether it be the democratic Beto O & # 39; Rourke or Republican Ted Cruz for the US Senate, local and local election officials recommend voters to take voters. their voting time and check the accuracy of the verification screen before voting.
Election officials said the problems resulted from a user error when voting on Hart eSlate machines widely used in Texas – including in Travis, Hays and Comal counties – and did not result malfunction or malfunction of the machine.
"Hart eSlate machines do not work badly," said Sam Taylor, director of communications at the Texas State Secretary's Office. "Reported problems are the result of a user error." In general, the voters hit a button or use the selection wheel before the screen is rendered. "
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Taylor said the office was aware of a handful of complaints and that voters had been able to correct their ballot before voting.
Concerns arise as voter turnout increases during the first week of advance voting in the state. Many counties report a record number of early voters for a mid-term election. In some counties, such as Williamson, early voting from Monday to Thursday has exceeded the first four days of advance polls in the November 2016 elections.
Advance voting continues until Friday. Election Day is November 6th.
Votes on right
On Tuesday, Keith Ingram, the election director at the state secretary's office, sent a notice to county clerks and election administrators to handle complaints and advise local authorities on how to address these issues.
"A number of people who voted on Hart eSlate machines said that when they voted in a straight line, it seemed to them that the machine had changed one or more of their selections in favor. a candidate from another party, "Ingram said in the statement. . "This may be due to the fact that the voter acted on the keyboard before a page appeared entirely on eSlate, which deselected the candidate's pre-filled selection of that party."
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Specifically, the Hart eSlate system uses a keyboard with an "Enter" button and a select button.The "Enter" button of a Hart eSlate selects the choice of a voter. Selecting a Hart eSlate allows the voter to move When voting on a Hart eSlate machine, it is important that the voter use one or the other of the buttons and not both Simultaneously, and the elector does not click the `Enter 'button nor the button on the page selection dial is fully rendered," continues the warning. "An elector should note his answer on the keyboard before proceeding with a new action.It is also important that the voter verifies that his selections are correct before voting."
"Voters should always check their screen carefully before voting, and if an elector has problems, he or she must immediately inform the poll clerk so that problems can be resolved and reported," Ingram concluded, informing those responsible. Local elections to be posted in the polls to remind voters to check the accuracy of the summary screen before voting.
The US state heard an Austin voter declare that she had voted directly, but the display screen showed that O & # 39; Rourke had not been selected. After consulting with a clerk, she corrected it.
Call for action
Travis County Republican Party President Matt Mackowiak said: "We have heard several specific complaints from Republican voters in Travis County who voted without a vote but did not see Cruz appear on their ballots, and the office of the Secretary of State has been notified, confirm that their votes are correct before voting, and that, if there is an error, they must immediately inform the observer of the poll. "
CBSDFW.com reported Thursday that nearly 10 voters in Tarrant County also complained that their direct votes did not represent their property. Heider Garcia, Tarrant County Election Administrator, gave the same advice to voters to take the time to check the results before voting.
KTRK-TV in Houston interviewed an elector Thursday in Houston and another in Fort Bend County, both of whom said they voted for a democratic vote, but only to see Cruz's name checked on their screen of control.
"We have heard the electorate tell us this many times," said John Oldham, Election Officer for Fort Bend County, KTRK.
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Texas Democratic Party President Gilberto Hinojosa has accused the Secretary of State of not being more proactive in avoiding the problem faced by some voters. He asked officials "to act immediately to inform voters that they double-check their votes".
But Secretary of State Taylor's spokesperson said the office "has already trained election officials at our annual elections law seminars, instructed electoral administrators to post additional signs in multiple languages, obliged county officials to keep a detailed and meticulous diary ". all the faulty machines and remove all the faulty machines, "
"We will continue to educate Texas voters using existing resources and urge all Texans who vote to take their time, slow down and carefully consider their ballot before voting on one," said Mr. Taylor.
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