(CNN) – Some voting machines are not working properly in Chesapeake, Virginia because of wet weather, according to voters and the State Board of Elections. Spokesman Ryan Enright confirmed the rain is throwing a wrench in the works in a few places that use optical-scan paper ballots.
He said ballots were getting soaked as water drips off wet voters walking into polling stations. That makes the scanner unable to read a ballot.
The Virginia State Board of Elections is encouraging all voters to dry off before filing out ballots to avoid problems.
And to solve the problem of wet ballots, the polling station is collecting them in a secure container next to the polling machine. Once dried, these ballots will be tabulated by officials, Enright said.
He added that while this will mean a longer processing time for election officials, it should not affect voters and their wait time.
From CNN Politics
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I got in line at 5:35 in the pouring rain, and finally voted at 7:00..other people I work with waited 3 hours in line. The weather isn't discouraging people here. I wouldn't want to see how long the lines will be at 5:00pm.
I live in Chesapeake and its a sad thing that the Republicans in this state are that hard pressed for votes. This is Florida all over again. OBAMA/BIDEN 2008. Lets get it!!!!
Ouch
Here we go again. Voting problems at the polls. Looks like they are trying to steal it again. I predict were are going to see this happen in more states. Not just Virginia...
I guess the republicans made it rain too....Come on people, quit whining!
I find it ridiculously hard to believe that America, one of the most technologically advanced and intellectually gifted nations of the world STILL cannot get it right when it comes to voting!! Soaking wet ballots? Give me a break! Penguins in Antarctica would have less problems voting.
unbelievable...in this country we cannot figure out how to make the voting process work.
We either ned to go to paper ballots, or go back to the old fashioned lever machines. I am 54 years ond never rememeber having issues with the count of the old type machines.
Funny though that all the voting issues are in swing states that mccain needs...
do not give up wait and vote..
@ John in Ohio:
That's right, Republicans can make it rain. Grow up.
I voted in the Larchmont section of Norfolk, VA this morning and a few stations had to be rebooted and paper ballots issued...I hope there aren't any problems to arise from that.
As if we weren't the laughing stock of the world for the last 8 years based on our last President- we are surely the laughing stock today knowing that the biggest proponent of democracy in the world-can't even get their own voting system to work correctly!!!
What a joke!
I just voted in Chesapeake, VA on an electronic touch screen machine. Why couldn't they have this available for all voting stations. There is no need to have paper ballets, now when everything is done by computer. This is suspect. Let's stop the trickery, and grow up. Don't steal this one...may the best man win!!
Obama '08
Hey Noah, it was on the front page of cnn.com earlier today. Now shut up.
What did the republicans make it rain?? How are they responsible for the wet ballot causing problems. You have to love Obama supporters no brain idiots. Yes it is a conspiracy republicans control the weather!!! Bush must be making it rain!!
Not this time! God Bless America!
VOTE!
! Get out there and exercise your God-given privilege as a U.S. citizen !
VOTE!!
We, all the citizens of the United States of America, thank you.
VOTE!!!
I live in Chesapeake Va. I stood in line for 3 hours in the rain. A towel would not have been enough for the 100's of up out there. We were young old and black and white. The lady holding the umbrella for me was voting for McCain and I for Obama. We are all out there together. So really it was not the media or the machines.
Yes blame the Republicans of "stealing" the Virginia election because of the rain!!
i cant believe you stupid republics are calling everything liberal media...think of this fox news is always saying false things about obama because they are the most bias media out there. There will be false comments and other things on both sides get over it and stop complaining. If you want to complain then complain about mccain being a racist running a racist campaign. I cant see how anyone can support mccain when his own party doesnt support him. All i have to say is think before you vote
We can see corruption when it comes in the form of wet ballots. That is what happened in Florida when the popular vote did not matter and we got stuck with Bush. Whats next republicans? History repeating itself? We don't buy it. Barrack the vote
I'm sick of the way things are going, Republicans won't steal my joy! OBAMA 08!
Noah – look at the NY Times homepage.
The republicans are trying to steal the elections??????
Lets think about that comment…… first the Democrats refuse to enforce a photo ID to verify the identity of the voter, and right after we have ACRON registering hundred of thousands of illegal voters. THINK!!!
Its amazing to see how angry the right-wingers are knowing they are probably going to lose this election. Turn Virginia blue!!!!
This is where my precinct is.
Everyone should do it like we do in Oregon. Our ballots are mailed in under a tightly controlled process. No lines, no going out in bad weather, no leaving work or the kids, no hanging chads or polling place/voter irregularities. It makes so much sense I wonder everyone doesn't do it!