[Pittsburgh, PA] Scattered problems reported with voting machines

[sugapablo]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06311/736320-100.stm

Voters in scattered areas of Allegheny County reported this morning that poll workers were having trouble starting the new electronic voting machines.

Polls opened at 7 a.m., and callers reported problems at Whittier Elementary School in Mount Washington, St. Thomas Church in Richland, and locations in Penn Hills and Perry Hilltop.

In all cases, the voters said poll workers were having problems starting up the machines. Some voters were leaving without casting votes.

During the spring primary, when the machines were first used in the county, http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06137/690798-85.stm">poll workers reported problems getting the machines to register a zero-vote count. The zero-vote count is necessary to serve as a baseline and ensure no votes are stored on the machines before official voting begins.

Greater Pittsburgh is very Democratic. In my district, a GOP candidate for Congress isn't even on the ballot (although there is a Green Party member).

I voted just fine. No lines. Easy machine. Friendly old lady poll workers.

Edit: I should say "GOP candidate for the House"

[spinbaby]

1. According to the Trib, only "minor" problems

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_478596.html

Of course, we all know who owns the Trib...

[sugapablo]

2. Yes, for those unfamiliar

The "Trib" is a notoriously conservative newspaper.

In fairness, I believe the problems weren't "major", but if these problems, combined with others, show a trend...it would be good for me to post this.

[distantearlywarning]

3. I think we must be in the same district.

Anyway, I had no problems voting this morning either. The poll workers seemed to know what was going on, and the machines were working fine.