Luckily, there are a couple of solutions to the problem, but some hope this doesn’t have a lasting impact on how Tennesseans view election integrity.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Early voting is supposed to be more convenient, but some in Tennessee say a problem with the touchscreen machines is making things more difficult.
Voters have reported the problem in both Davidson and Shelby Counties. Officials said those who are using their fingers to cast their ballot on the touchscreen machines have reported their vote not registering, and instead, “jumping” to a different candidate.
Memphis state Rep. Antonio Parkinson told News 2 he and other lawmakers have received multiple complaints from voters who experienced the issue.
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“When you have constituents that come out from the voting polls and they tell you that this is what’s happening, there’s a real concern in their face and in their voice about the process,” Rep. Parkinson said.
Davidson County election administrator Jeff Roberts told News 2 the problem is new, but, it’s not related to the integrity of the machines—which are all carefully tested prior to being put out at polling locations. However, officials’ decision to not distribute the plastic stir sticks voters can use to make their selections this election is an attempt at being more environmentally conscious.
As a result, voters are using their fingers to try to press the small box located in the upper left-hand corner of the candidate’s name, which may cause the machine to select the candidate above.
“Sometimes you can get it, and sometimes it flips up to the one above it because you’re touching that line,” Roberts said. “This is the first election since COVID when we didn’t use the stir sticks, we knew pretty quickly what the issue was.”
Luckily, there are a couple of simple fixes: either use a stir stick, which Davidson County election officials have since started giving out to voters again after learning of the touchscreen problem, or press the name of the candidate instead of the small box. Davidson County officials have also posted signs on every voting machine instructing voters where to tap to make their selection.
The Shelby County Election Commission posted a video on social media showing voters how to use the touchscreen.
“My question to [the Shelby County Election Commission] was if they cannot press the box for their candidate, then why do we even have the box on the screen?” Rep. Parkinson said.
Rep. Parkinson wants to see more election commissions across the state working to educate voters about the problem. He is also reminding voters to double-check their ballots for accuracy before casting them and hopes this issue doesn’t make Tennesseans lose faith in the election process.
“The State of Tennessee is one of the worst in the country when it comes to voter turnout,” Rep. Parkinson said. “We don’t need anything else to make people feel like it is unnecessary or a chore to go out and cast their vote and be a part of the process.”
According to the director of communications for the TN Secretary of State’s Office, there have been no other reported problems during early voting so far.