Computer problems slow counting of ballots
ToolsRelated ContentBy KVAL News and Web StaffEUGENE, Ore. -- Ballot-counting software in Lane County crashed around 4:30 p.m. on Election Day, setting election officals back a couple of hours. The counters failed to send counts to the central count machine, said Annette Newingham with Lane County Elections. The elections office had to recount ballots after restoring the system. "All of the ballot counters went down temporarily," Newingham said. "We have a good backup plan and recovered back to a certain point and 3:30 and ended up being able to continue at 6 o'clock." That contributed to the cliffhanger nature of the Eugene mayoral and north Eugene county commission races, where the candidates remain separated by less than 300 votes as ballot counting resumes this morning. The U.S. Senate race also hangs in the balance, as Republic Gordon Smith leads Democrat Jeff Merkley by only a few thousand votes statewide. As of noon Wednesday, just over 55 percent of Lane County ballots had been counted. The system had a backup and was up and running again by 6 p.m., but election workers had to recount ballots. The glitch set ballot returns back by a couple of hours. Election workers put in 20 hour shifts before being relieved this morning. Computer problems weren't the only factor slowing the count. "We were very lucky to have this backup plan," Newingham. "It's just one of many things that happen with elections. We have longer ballots, they are taking a little bit longer, they don't fit as well in the box. That slows things down." |
Upload directly from your mobile device. Learn howYouNews
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled.
Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
Stay Connected |
Connect with KVALViewer PollMost Popular
|
KVAL, 4575 Blanton Road,