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Cambria County, PA - Voting hours in Cambria County have been extended from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. by court order following significant issues with the Electronic Voting System (EVS).

Election officials reported that a software malfunction prevented voters from scanning their completed ballots, causing confusion, long lines, and some individuals leaving polling locations without voting. The issue was identified early Tuesday, leading to voter frustrations that continued until the court granted the extension at around 11 a.m.

With the extension in place, officials have made provisions for voters who arrive after 8 p.m. to cast provisional ballots. These ballots will be recorded and reviewed by the county board of elections to determine if they will be counted.

Problems are not confined to Cambria County alone. Similar issues with tabulator machines have been confirmed in Bedford County, and there are unconfirmed reports of voting difficulties in Blair, Somerset, and Luzerne counties. Election authorities have reassured the public that all votes will ultimately be counted and that ballots are being securely stored in lockboxes until they can be scanned.

Several polling locations in Cambria County have reported disruptions. Affected areas include the United Methodist Church in Elton, St. Francis Church, and the Lower Yoder Municipal Building. At these sites, voters have been instructed to place their completed ballots in lockboxes due to malfunctioning tabulator machines.

To manage and mitigate the problem, express voting machines have been set up at various precincts to allow electronic voting, ensuring that hand ballots can still be cast. The Board of Elections is closely monitoring the situation, with IT specialists working on the software issues.

In Bedford County, election officials have identified similar problems and dispatched support teams to resolve them. They emphasized that the ability to vote has not been impacted and that all precincts are being addressed.

Cambria County officials, including County solicitor Ron Repak, have encouraged voters to continue casting their ballots, assuring the public that all measures are being taken to secure and count every vote. The Board of Elections remains committed to providing all voters the opportunity to participate in the electoral process, thanking the community for their patience and support during this challenging time.