2024-11-05 00:22:00
On Tuesday, millions of people in Pennsylvania will go to their local polling places to vote.
Election officials want everything to go smoothly, but sometimes unforeseen events happen.
Jeff Greenburg, a 13-year veteran of elections director, said the most common unforeseen events at voting centers are usually late opening hours, lack of staff and problems with voting machines. Greenberg currently serves as senior election administration adviser to the Committee of Seventy, a nonpartisan organization specializing in voter engagement and public policy initiatives.
Anyone can report problems with the election process. They can call the county elections office, the secretary of government or a voter hotline run by a nonprofit organization.
What happens if my polling place doesn’t open on time or is understaffed?
Greenberg explained that sometimes workers arrive late or facility owners forget to open doors on time.
Voting centers will open at 7 a.m. on Tuesday and will remain open until 8 p.m. Anyone in line to vote when polls close can vote.
Voters can find their local polling place online.
“County elections offices will have contact information for poll workers and facilities in the event the doors are closed or a poll worker doesn’t show up,” Greenberg said.
Greenberg said if there is a shortage of poll workers, workers could be brought in from other locations or recruited. Pennsylvania law allows staff to fill vacancies with someone who has already voted, if that person is willing to assist.
What if there is a problem with the voting machine?
Have multiple backups so voters can cast their ballots if something goes wrong with a voting machine.
Greenberg noted that counties typically have mobile technicians who respond when issues arise. He said once a problem is reported, they ship it as quickly as possible.
Typically, reports are sent from polling places to county elections offices. If the issue cannot be resolved or requires legal intervention, the county attorney and the Board of Elections will determine whether further action is necessary.
“If there is a significant impact at a polling place, the Board of Elections can ask the county court to extend voting hours,” Greenberg added.
Every county elections office has a process for disseminating important messages on Election Day. This can be done through the county website, social media accounts or local media outlets.
“People should only seek this information from reliable sources,” he said. “Whether it’s through the county website or social media accounts, or through local media.”
Counties will also provide emergency paper ballots if machines cannot be repaired or replaced on Election Day.
Juniata County Elections Director Eva Weyrich said the county uses only paper ballots and has a machine tabulator at each polling place.
Even if there is a problem with the tabulating machines, voters can still fill out their ballots while technicians come to the polling station to fix the problem.
Weirich said the county has never had a machine fail throughout the day.
Weirich said Juniata County prefers a handwritten paper ballot system.
“We can always go back and count the ballots by hand to verify that the machines are accurate,” he said.
In 47 counties, voters filled out their ballots by hand. Another 27 have voting machines that can print voters’ choice ballots and can be reviewed after the election.
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This report is part of an explainer series focusing on Pennsylvania elections, produced in partnership with Harrisburg WITF and The Associated Press.
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The Associated Press has received support from multiple private foundations to improve its coverage of elections and democracy. More about AP’s democracy coverage here. The Associated Press is solely responsible for all content.
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This story was translated from English by AP editors with the help of generated artificial intelligence tools.
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**Interview with Jeff Greenberg: Ensuring a Smooth Election Day in Pennsylvania**
**Host:** Welcome, Jeff Greenberg, senior election administration adviser to the Committee of Seventy. With Election Day fast approaching on November 5, 2024, many voters in Pennsylvania are preparing to head to the polls. Can you share what issues voters should be mindful of on this important day?
**Jeff Greenberg:** Thank you for having me. As millions of voters head to the polls, it’s essential to be aware that unforeseen challenges can arise. Common issues at voting centers include late openings, a shortage of staff, and problems with voting machines.
**Host:** That sounds concerning. What can voters do if their polling place doesn’t open on time or faces staffing issues?
**Jeff Greenberg:** If your polling place faces any delays, voters should know that they can reach out to their county elections office directly. These offices have contact information for poll workers and facilities, and they can provide updates if there are any issues. Polls open at 7 a.m., and anyone in line at 8 p.m. when polls close will still be allowed to vote.
**Host:** And in the case of a shortage of poll workers?
**Jeff Greenberg:** Pennsylvania law permits counties to fill vacancies with individuals who have already cast their votes, as long as they are willing to step in. If necessary, workers can also be brought in from other locations.
**Host:** That sounds like a smart backup plan. What happens if there’s a problem with a voting machine?
**Jeff Greenberg:** Election officials are well-prepared for that scenario as well. Each county typically has mobile technicians ready to respond to any machine issues. If a voting machine fails, there are backup systems in place to ensure voters can still cast their ballots without interruption.
**Host:** It’s reassuring to know there are measures in place. If any significant issues arise, what recourse do election officials have?
**Jeff Greenberg:** Should a significant problem occur, the Board of Elections has the authority to request an extension of voting hours through the county court. It’s crucial that voters are able to exercise their rights without undue stress caused by unforeseen events.
**Host:** is there a way for voters to express their concerns or report issues on Election Day?
**Jeff Greenberg:** Absolutely. Voters can report problems to their county elections office or through various hotlines set up by nonprofit organizations. It’s an important resource to ensure that any complaints are documented and addressed properly.
**Host:** Thank you, Jeff, for your insights and for helping to prepare voters for the upcoming election. We appreciate your time.
**Jeff Greenberg:** Thank you for having me. Let’s hope for a smooth Election Day for everyone involved!
