CNN Political Ticker
1196 days ago

Memory cards cause problems in Fairfax County, VA

 Paper ballots will be used until machines in Fairfax County are fixed.
Paper ballots will be used until machines in Fairfax County are fixed.

Fairfax County, Virginia (CNN) - General Registrar Rokey Suleman said a handful of memory cards did not work when machines were started this morning. He tells CNN that new memory cards have already been sent out to those precincts with problems. He said a "very, very small number of machines" were affected, and voters at those locations could use paper ballots instead until the problem was corrected.

Suleman said there are long lines everywhere. He added they expected that and are prepared for that. The 228 precincts in the county use both optical scan and electronic voting machines.

People started lining up to vote at 4:30am. The polls opened at 6am.


Filed under: Virginia • Voter Problems
soundoff (193 Responses)
  1. Seriously

    Typical republican tactic... disenfranchise the liberal areas of Virginia. People are going to get tired of these tricks Republicans...

    November 4, 2008 07:43 am at 7:43 am |
  2. Sandy - PA

    Explain how some of those machines in 2000 had NEGATIVE 5,000 votes for Al Gore.

    November 4, 2008 07:44 am at 7:44 am |
  3. JJ

    VA don't try to steal this election.

    Vote Obama/Biden

    November 4, 2008 07:46 am at 7:46 am |
  4. Ilene

    Ever notice these polling problems seem to be in toss-up states.

    November 4, 2008 07:48 am at 7:48 am |
  5. Randy

    I was first in line and tried to vote in Alexandria with a paper ballot. The scanning machine would not take it, it was if the paper was too wide for the slot. The poll workers suspended giving out paper ballots after only 3 voters. I don't trust the electronic machine, but I had no choice.

    Randy

    November 4, 2008 07:49 am at 7:49 am |
  6. andre

    I used the machines this morning at Colvin Run ES (Dranesville). Remarkably easy and lots of helpful staff). No lines here but could be elsewhere. Hard to see bases for complaint.

    November 4, 2008 07:49 am at 7:49 am |
  7. EyesWideOpen

    Virginia, Pennsylvania and Florida use electronic voting machines that incorporate no paper trail. The situation is ludicrous Even my dog can recognize that this is a recipe for disaster.

    November 4, 2008 07:53 am at 7:53 am |
  8. Errol

    Trickery in the heavy African American precinct.

    Why am i not surprised!

    November 4, 2008 07:59 am at 7:59 am |
  9. Dennis

    If McCain wins the election, just check the voting machines in Virginia, North Carolina,Ohio, Florida and the red states and you will see a different result

    November 4, 2008 08:00 am at 8:00 am |
  10. Bushwhacked in Eugene, OR

    We need to stop this crazed method of voting, using flawed machines and making people wait for hours to cast a vote.

    I've lived in many states - California, Nevada, Georgia, Washington and now Oregon for the last 12 years. We vote by mail here, and it works! In the 12 years I've been voting here, there have been no problems, no fraud, nothing but success. It works!

    Contact your state voting people and roll this tide across the country. Stop paying millions to Diebold for flawed machines that don't work.

    November 4, 2008 08:01 am at 8:01 am |
  11. Irma in North Carolina

    Lets hope and pray the american people make the right decesion today and that Obama becomes are next president. Than we can all go to sleep in peace every night knowing that we will not have four more years of bush.

    November 4, 2008 08:01 am at 8:01 am |
  12. Amy

    Why the polling machine breakdown is zipcode which are democratic heavy? wonder and ponder?

    November 4, 2008 08:02 am at 8:02 am |
  13. vic

    This voter maching problem is just plain STUPID!!!!!!!!!

    November 4, 2008 08:02 am at 8:02 am |
  14. vote! OBAMA-BIDEN NOV.4th

    VIRGINA, VOTE OBAMA-BIDEN, DO IT FOR AMERICA.

    November 4, 2008 08:03 am at 8:03 am |
  15. Pat in IL

    Sounds like VA went to the lowest bidder for voting machines.

    November 4, 2008 08:04 am at 8:04 am |
  16. oez

    here we go. someone is obvioulsy trying to rig the election. Even crappy computers don't break down so easily.

    Enough of these stupid machines.

    November 4, 2008 08:04 am at 8:04 am |
  17. HouseDiva

    ....as long as there's enough paper ballots.

    November 4, 2008 08:06 am at 8:06 am |
  18. mruth

    Well, not quite. The war in Afghanistan against al Qaeda and bin Laden will continue, even if we pull out of Iraq. And it would be a catastrophy to slap protectionist tariffs on foreign goods (more than we already do, that is)–that's precisely what caused the Great Depression! We need sensible, well-executed solutions, not hipshot populism. Go Obama! Vote for the level-headed, smart candidate (not McCain).

    November 4, 2008 08:06 am at 8:06 am |
  19. MDA

    Another problem in another county... how ironic!

    November 4, 2008 08:06 am at 8:06 am |
  20. Mothernature Houston,Tx

    Do this suprise you?

    November 4, 2008 08:08 am at 8:08 am |
  21. change fairfax

    So typical of Fairfax, they used to have 'video game day' for county employees, now they can't fix roads or make voting machines work.

    Change. We. Need!

    November 4, 2008 08:08 am at 8:08 am |
  22. Voice Better Be Heard

    There seems to be a pattern in this state. This isn't surprising since Obama is leading in this state. They better not mess this election up. Obama inspired millions and made this election exciting again. McShame and Palin(Falin) did nothing but spread lies and hateful rhetoric which showed the true ugly side of this country for the world to see. Their rallies reminded me of the era of Dr. King and JFK. They need to be history like the '60s. Obama/Biden '08 is the ONE ticket that will bring REAL change.

    This One is voting for That One!

    November 4, 2008 08:09 am at 8:09 am |
  23. Marvin Tillman

    First u have to entice the American companies that make many of our foreign good in other countries to make back to America

    November 4, 2008 08:09 am at 8:09 am |
  24. Barbara - 65 yr old white female in NC

    Voted early

    Obama/Biden '08

    November 4, 2008 08:10 am at 8:10 am |
  25. Marvin Tillman

    First we have to entice the American companies that make many of our foreign good in other countries to make back to America

    November 4, 2008 08:10 am at 8:10 am |
  26. The World for Obama

    What, exactly does "fixed" mean and who is doing the "fixing".

    Totally unacceptable. The voting machine are unreliable and likely manipulated by the Republican owned companies which build them.

    Funny how many voting machines don't work, yet you can go to the grocery store hundreds, or thousands of times without a failed or incorrect scan.

    November 4, 2008 08:10 am at 8:10 am |
  27. Willy Brown

    Bush is not running but you liberals wouldn't know that! McCain will win.

    November 4, 2008 08:10 am at 8:10 am |
  28. Mothernature Houston,Tx

    This is sad!

    November 4, 2008 08:10 am at 8:10 am |
  29. Cincy Voter

    Republicans for the steal. *thumbsdown*

    November 4, 2008 08:11 am at 8:11 am |
  30. jon

    teresa has no concept of "price". No free trade means higher prices. Always.

    November 4, 2008 08:14 am at 8:14 am |
  31. Rose

    Seems to be a trend , where dems are leading the polls are breaking.
    Imagine that..

    November 4, 2008 08:16 am at 8:16 am |
  32. Give me a break

    Lets not mistake incompetency for conspiracy...I work for the government...most of these types of problems are the result of people not knowing what the hell they are doing, not some conspiracy

    November 4, 2008 08:17 am at 8:17 am |
  33. Chuck

    paper ballots don't break or flip votes. we need national election standards that give each voter a receipt that can be used to verify that a vote has been counted.

    November 4, 2008 08:18 am at 8:18 am |
  34. Rob

    Democracy is comming to the USA

    Sail on oh mighty ship of state
    to the shores of need
    past the reefs of greed
    thru the squalls of hate
    Sail On

    November 4, 2008 08:18 am at 8:18 am |
  35. Adil - Falls Church,VA

    I can't say I'm not surprized, we have 665,000 voters this season. At least they have paper ballots as a backup measure. I get off of work at 3 and I hope I can cast my vote in time.

    November 4, 2008 08:18 am at 8:18 am |
  36. DH

    Electronic voting machines are too easy to manipulate, period. At least with an ATM, you walk away with SOMETHING in your hand (cash, or at least a printed receipt) but with electronic voting machines... nothing.

    Give me a voting machine as simple to operate as an ATM, one that matches numerically my printed ballot receipt to its digitally stored counterpart.

    If our banking system can do it, so can our electoral system.

    November 4, 2008 08:18 am at 8:18 am |
  37. 60 YO white female , Springfield, VA

    I just voted in Fairfax Co, VA. It was an hour wait and I had no problem.
    OBAMA 08!!!

    November 4, 2008 08:18 am at 8:18 am |
  38. nelly c.

    Remember Americans, the whole world is watching! Once you start cheating this election, nobody loses but you!

    November 4, 2008 08:20 am at 8:20 am |
  39. Cliff

    I'm in Fairfax County, and my polling place (precinct 208) had no problems. Of the ~3000 registered voters, almost 300 were lined up at 6am.

    There were 2 Republican and 2 Democrat poll watchers there. We had both paper ballots and electronic voting machines. Everything was going smoothly.

    I was out in an hour, thanks to great work by the poll workers.

    November 4, 2008 08:20 am at 8:20 am |
  40. Maggie Muggins From Selwyn

    Sooner or later America is going to have a serious problem. It is entirely conceivable if the Republicans steal this election you might see civil unrest as I just don't think people are going to take it any longer.

    November 4, 2008 08:21 am at 8:21 am |
  41. Mark in Iowa

    Do you think these machines were destined to break.
    Do think they were going to send in new memory cards that will
    vote the way they want them to vote, like the special on tv about voting how those machine will give you any out come you program into it, I just hope when they get these machines they are tested before and after with a independent verifer, So that the votes that people cast are theirs and not somone trying to steal a election, been there done that.

    November 4, 2008 08:22 am at 8:22 am |
  42. Rania

    To the Mason Community:
    Please note that election day has been moved to November 5th. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.
    Peter N. Stearns
    Provost

    I go to George Mason University in Fairfax, VA this email was sent out this morning from GMU. The school doesn't know who sent it or how, but this is insane!

    November 4, 2008 08:23 am at 8:23 am |
  43. Jeff in Virginia

    I voted on an optical scan card in Falls Church, VA this morning with no problems. The polling place was running both touch-screen and optical-scan machines.

    We got in line around 5:20. By 6am, the line was wrapped around the block. I hope everything goes smoothly!!

    November 4, 2008 08:23 am at 8:23 am |
  44. p.n.raju

    DEAR FELLOW CITIZENS

    TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR GOVERNMENT
    DO NOT REELECT THE SITTING MEMBERS OF EITHER PARTY
    DISCONNECT THE LOBBYING SYSTEM AND CORRUPTION
    TIME FOR EMPOWERMENT OF YOUR GOVERNMENT

    RAJU

    November 4, 2008 08:24 am at 8:24 am |
  45. Ron Van Der Maarel

    With ALL these smart, computer folks in our country you would think that they could do alot better. Voting is so important to all of us and it is disgusting to hear about these problems. Like others i do not trust these machines! Let's go back to paper !

    November 4, 2008 08:24 am at 8:24 am |
  46. William - AZ

    How many machine "anomalies" will we see in the battleground states? How can it not be obvious that a paper trail should be required? How come the United States of America is not the world leader in secure, confident elections?
    I voted a week ago by mail. No muss, no fuss, no lines, no machines.

    November 4, 2008 08:24 am at 8:24 am |
  47. Sharon from Dumfries Virginia

    Here we go again, wasting no time this year. Drama begins at 7:00am.

    November 4, 2008 08:25 am at 8:25 am |
  48. Here we go...

    Trickery in the heavy African American precinct. The devil is truly busy today. We shall overcome and be on way to victory!

    November 4, 2008 08:25 am at 8:25 am |
  49. Independent white female patriotic voter

    for God's sake did they not prepare some backup memory cards. I have some for backup, how can a polling place in he USA not have them ready? Oh my God, sometimes I wonder how prepared we are !

    November 4, 2008 08:25 am at 8:25 am |
  50. Nick

    I voted this morning in Northern Virginia. I got to the location at 5:30 but there was already a line stretched outside the building. There were only 2 electronic machines and they must not have been working. Paper ballots were used in that Fairfax location.
    ...
    BUSH & REPUBLICANS SENT MY JOB TO INDIA IN 2005, EVERYBODY AT MY OFFICE WAS ANGRY. 2 PEOPLE IN ITALY, 1 IN GERMANY AND 3 OF US IN AMERICA LOST OUR JOBS. WE NEED TO STOP THE ANCIENT OLD MAN IDEAS FLOATING AROUND AMERICAN POLITICS AND GET A SOME NEW MINDS INTO THE GOVERNEMENT!!!

    Obama 08
    Warner 08

    November 4, 2008 08:25 am at 8:25 am |
  51. CW in MD

    I voted in Prince George's County Maryland. Got there at 5:30am and was second in line. Voted about 13-14th because me and the person in front of me let a few elderly and handicap folks go before us. I was in and out in 10 minutes. What a glorious day this is!!!

    November 4, 2008 08:25 am at 8:25 am |
  52. Linton

    Hmm, this is understandable, I work for a school system in Va, around the Mt. Vernon/Fort Hunt area to be precise and there are 3 voting centers less than 2 miles apart. Presently, one of the sites/centers is very slow. There was a crush of people around 7:00 am, the crowd has since dissipated and now people coming in spend less than 5 minutes to vote. Unbelievable, why can't it be the same everywhere?

    November 4, 2008 08:26 am at 8:26 am |
  53. Gib

    So with the national debt hitting the ten trillion dollar mark you think that we should take any money saved by getting out of the war or any other form and just continue to spent it? Only this time just give it out as a handout? Makes plenty of since to me. Buying american made goods is definately a good idea, but if we continue to spend money like it's growing on trees we'll in a lot worse trouble than we already are.

    November 4, 2008 08:26 am at 8:26 am |
  54. Gib

    So with the national debt hitting the ten trillion dollar mark you think that we should take any money saved by getting out of the war or any other form and just continue to spent it? Only this time just give it out as a handout? Makes plenty of since to me.

    November 4, 2008 08:27 am at 8:27 am |
  55. Braham Singh

    This is ridiculous. If people fall for voting machine trickery again, we will get the government we deserve.

    November 4, 2008 08:27 am at 8:27 am |
  56. wakeupamerica

    Virginians don't let McGimmick steal this election. Use a paper ballot. Go VOTE. Turn Virginia blue.

    Obama/Biden '08

    November 4, 2008 08:27 am at 8:27 am |
  57. Lets Dance Together

    Weren't all these machines and paper tested yesterday sucessfully.

    November 4, 2008 08:28 am at 8:28 am |
  58. Michael "C" Lorton, Virginia

    Maybe someone needs to implant a memory card in the cranium of those responsible...it would be a start.

    November 4, 2008 08:29 am at 8:29 am |
  59. Larry

    Must be a strong Republican district-–See any ACORNS laying around?

    November 4, 2008 08:29 am at 8:29 am |
  60. Patrice

    I'm not understanding, with all of the technology that we have, why isn't the US on the same voting system? Things will never be right until the voting system has changed. I just feel that people are people and they are going to do what they want to do because it is all about money and greed. I feel, yes we have the right to vote, but does it really count?

    November 4, 2008 08:31 am at 8:31 am |
  61. Fairfax Eric

    I don't think any issues or trickery will deter us VA voters. Democrats have VA on lockdown.

    Let's go win an election!

    OBAMA BIDEN

    November 4, 2008 08:32 am at 8:32 am |
  62. Yes We Can!!!

    Public School PS152 in Harlem NY, there's a line but the staff is amazing(teachers & volunteers). Theres a sense of pride and calm every where. I am so proud!!!! America you are amazing!! Obama your grandmother left early so she could thank God in advance you are beautiful. Everyone black and white is holding there head high today. I will cry my heart out and purge myself of these last 8 miserable years.

    November 4, 2008 08:32 am at 8:32 am |
  63. Wrath

    The GOP will try anything – I hope we have appropriate numbers of monitors to ensure we get the person we all vote for...

    November 4, 2008 08:33 am at 8:33 am |
  64. Susan NJ

    I just don't trust the election officials to be fair. I cannot believe that this could happen again and hope the Obama lawyers are all over VIrginia making sure this is corrected.

    November 4, 2008 08:34 am at 8:34 am |
  65. G. Robinson

    I just voted here in PA and I voted OBAMA.

    November 4, 2008 08:34 am at 8:34 am |
  66. anthony lienser

    I live in an ethnically diverse part of alexandria, va. I've been in line 2 hrs and counting!

    November 4, 2008 08:34 am at 8:34 am |
  67. JT

    I voted for Barry so I can get extra money from my taxes and free health care. If he wins and does not give me his promises, he will not get my vote in 2012.

    November 4, 2008 08:35 am at 8:35 am |
  68. Brian G, Sugar Land, TX

    Why were all electronic voting machines anywhere not triple checked weeks before the elections? There is some BS going on.

    November 4, 2008 08:35 am at 8:35 am |
  69. Wrath

    The GOP will try anything – I hope we have appropriate numbers of monitors to ensure we get the person we all vote for...

    November 4, 2008 08:35 am at 8:35 am |
  70. Erika

    Why am I not surprised!Good Ole Boy State!

    November 4, 2008 08:36 am at 8:36 am |
  71. Noah

    Almost all voter fraud and suppression occurs on the Democrats side, not Republicans. That is a statistical fact. In the 2004 election, over 1 million absentee ballots cast by military members were not counted. Since we know that the military typically votes for Republicans 3 to 1 we know why those ballots were not cast.

    November 4, 2008 08:36 am at 8:36 am |
  72. Maggie from Virginia

    Memory card problems. I'm starting to worry.

    November 4, 2008 08:37 am at 8:37 am |
  73. Brian in NC

    The statistical possibility of 5 out of 7 machines "malfunctioning" is completely off the charts. This is an intentional act that, once investigated, should end in arrests and long term prison sentences.

    Its time we started to USE the laws put in place when someone breaks them. That includes EVERYONE. Especially those in Washington who think they are above the law. Are you paying attention George and Dick?

    November 4, 2008 08:38 am at 8:38 am |
  74. Dzster

    If the election gets stolen THIS TIME....I don't believe that most Americans will stand still for it and let it go down again that way. Too much at stake, Americans are too disgusted with the Republicans who have totally RUINED this nation! Those "conservatives" may not realize that they have pushed Americans as far as Americans are going to let themselves be pushed. Something has to give this time around!

    November 4, 2008 08:38 am at 8:38 am |
  75. VA Woman for Obama!!!

    I voted in Fairfax County this morning. Go Obama!!!!

    November 4, 2008 08:38 am at 8:38 am |
  76. RC

    McCain is on amphetemines. No normal person his age acts like a Nazi SS soldier running amock like he does on stage. Something aint right about McCain,

    November 4, 2008 08:39 am at 8:39 am |
  77. Rowena

    I just voted in Ohio using a touch screen machine. Except for people "accidentally" walking off with the cards for the machines, I had no problems. The machine prints out a paper receipt that you can read to verify your votes before you cast them and you can change it up to two times if you need to. I'm very proud to be American and thrilled that I just helped make history!

    Obama/Biden '08!

    November 4, 2008 08:39 am at 8:39 am |
  78. Laura In Alexandria, VA

    I was there at 5:20 am and there were at least 200 people in front of me. Last evening, there were people making calls rfom private numbers to tell us our polling location, it was the wrong one!

    November 4, 2008 08:40 am at 8:40 am |
  79. Constantine

    WHY IS IT THAT YOU CAN LOG IN TO HALF OF THE .GOV WEB SITES BUT WE STILL CAN'T VOTE ONLINE??? A CAVEMAN CAN DO IT!!

    November 4, 2008 08:40 am at 8:40 am |
  80. dg

    the naacp did tell them they needed more machines and they said they dont need them, u can never have too many

    November 4, 2008 08:41 am at 8:41 am |
  81. James B. New Jersey

    Cast your vote then call your friends and remind them to vote. They can't steal the election if everybody votes. If the machines are "fixed" the democractic turnout is the best prooof that something is wrong if things turn out suspect. Vote and bring along as many others as you can......................

    November 4, 2008 08:42 am at 8:42 am |
  82. Frank

    regarding that GMU email that election has been moved to Nov. 5th(most likely from McCain supporters). People who actually believe that, don't even deserve to be voting anyways because they are probably dumb enough to know who is more qualify as a president!

    November 4, 2008 08:42 am at 8:42 am |
  83. WELCOME TO THE OBAMA SHOW

    DON'T WORRY ACORN SUPPORTERS WILL HELP WITH THE PAPER BALLOTS AND ERASERS!!!!!!!!

    November 4, 2008 08:42 am at 8:42 am |
  84. Dafer M

    If the country with the best democracy cant protect the individual freedom of casting a ballot than how on earth is it supposedly teaching other countries to look towards democratization think we should start counting heads like old days …the person name in public and his vote , even if it takes a whole month!

    November 4, 2008 08:43 am at 8:43 am |
  85. Formerly undecided voter

    Doesn't anybody TEST these things before election day???

    This is totally inexcusable!!!!!!!

    November 4, 2008 08:43 am at 8:43 am |
  86. SB in NoVa

    Let's go Fairfax voters! You can do it!! Don't let them get away with messing with our votes. Remember how the McCain family feels about Northern VA – Communist Country! Stick with it – YES WE CAN!!!

    Obama Biden voter in Loudoun!
    TURN VA BLUE!!!

    November 4, 2008 08:44 am at 8:44 am |
  87. Contempt

    Is everyone afraid to wake up in the morning?

    If anything negative happened overnight it must be a republican conspiracy.

    November 4, 2008 08:45 am at 8:45 am |
  88. Bev

    I am truly scared that something is going to happen in the key "red" states, i.e., Florida, Virginia, where there will be a controversy regarding votes not being counted, machines going down, etc. It's happening now. I PRAY nothing happens like it did in 2000! The republicans are so good at stealing elections.

    Bev, Tonawanda NY

    November 4, 2008 08:47 am at 8:47 am |
  89. Stacy from Loudoun County VA

    I live in neighboring Loudoun County, I am so glad I voted absentee this year. Thank goodness my wife and I had twins around election day!

    November 4, 2008 08:47 am at 8:47 am |
  90. Kathy C

    I live in Florida and we have paper ballots that are run through and scanner. We have never had problems in our county, We only had 6100 new voters in two weeks of early voting out of 113,000 early voters (by mail too) and in our county of 365,000 . The kids did not show up says our election supervisor. There were more for John Kerry she said. Too bad, happens everytime.

    November 4, 2008 08:47 am at 8:47 am |
  91. ToddDC

    I voted in DC this morning......
    I got to the polls at 6:30 – a 1/2 hour before they opened, and there were already about 100 people in front of me...I waited for an hour and a half to vote...IN DC!!! I never have to wait that long!!! And when I was done, the line to get into the building was STILL around the block!!!

    I smell CHANGE!!!!

    November 4, 2008 08:48 am at 8:48 am |
  92. David Sohn

    The Orange Hunt precinct in Fairfax County apparently had a problem with the optical scan devices earlier this morning when I went to vote at 6 AM. We were told there had been a minor problem but that the scanner was fixed and so paper ballots were again being use around 6:25 AM. The touch-screen devices seemed to have no problems by the time I voted at 6:45 AM.

    November 4, 2008 08:48 am at 8:48 am |
  93. bruce

    has to be a better way
    I am in PA and was at my polling place at 7am when they opened and the line was huge...took me an hour and I was #110 and when i left they line was still as long as when i started...huge turn out and from discussions I had in line many first time voters.

    November 4, 2008 08:48 am at 8:48 am |
  94. Carlos

    Voted early this morning in Purcellville VA, (301) In a small town of about 6000 residents the line was at least 200 people by 6 AM. Once the polls opened the coordinators did a good job of shuffling people to empty slots. There line for paper ballot was full, and the line for electronic voting (1 machine) was two people. I chose paper.

    November 4, 2008 08:48 am at 8:48 am |
  95. Lee

    This is the miracle that the McCain camp was talking about!

    November 4, 2008 08:49 am at 8:49 am |
  96. WELCOME TO THE OBAMA SHOW

    TO ALL OBAMA SUPPORTERS DUE TO VOTER MACHINE PROBLEMS THE ELECTION HAS BEEN MOVED UNTIL TOMORROW.

    YOU WILL STILL BE ABLE TO VOTE FOR YOUR MESSIAH!!!!!!!!

    November 4, 2008 08:50 am at 8:50 am |
  97. party of five

    This country cannot afford to get this wrong. Please do what's right and vote. Everyone be vigilant and watch closely for voting fraud.
    Obama 08

    November 4, 2008 08:51 am at 8:51 am |
  98. SW,OHIO

    Its starting to sound like another Bush election. It was corrupted by the Republicans and their trying to do it again. I will NEVER trust another Republican, they have lost all my trust. no matter who it is . LIARS,LIARS,LIARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    November 4, 2008 08:52 am at 8:52 am |
  99. November 4 it ends.

    at last.

    I'm not afraid John and Sarah and you can't make me be afraid.

    November 4, 2008 08:54 am at 8:54 am |
  100. SC BLUE

    don't be surprised if the REPUBS don't file an injunction to stop counting the paper ballots..to insure all those votes are lost. Stay on this one CNN

    November 4, 2008 08:54 am at 8:54 am |
  101. What The? , . . . . .

    Didn't CNN do a special on switched memory cards rigged to vote for
    Republicans? I would not use that "repaired" machine.

    November 4, 2008 08:54 am at 8:54 am |
  102. SFC Drennan

    look people dont give up on what we know we need to do,,, make your vote count, stand fast, stand strong, stand together, if you see some one getting out of line because its been to long talk to them give them the push to stay in the fight,,,, look i have been in the military for 17 years and love what i do, i would never give up on my soldiers and would never let them give up on themselfs,,,, so man up TAKE THAT HILL, and we will win, huurrraaaaa

    November 4, 2008 08:56 am at 8:56 am |
  103. Vince

    I voted last week. There were no problems. In and out in an hour. Voters have to go in anticipating anything!!!! Let the last election be an indicator. You must remain diligent.
    Obama '08!!!

    November 4, 2008 08:56 am at 8:56 am |
  104. joe in pittsburgh

    typical democrat strategy, try to buy an election, lose outright and cry foul. Funny but they do the same thing when they can't pay their mortgages and car payments..

    P.S.Obama hates white Christians and Jews...

    November 4, 2008 08:56 am at 8:56 am |
  105. Catherine Scherzer

    Have the sim cards been fixed to operate correctly from the Diebold Voting Machines. I watched the special on Hacking Democracy last night on HBO. How many of these machines are being used today and how many states have them? I am so affraid my vote will be uncounted. Would you please let me know? Thank you, you guys are the best. Catherine

    November 4, 2008 08:56 am at 8:56 am |
  106. Texas Klingon

    Part of the problem is budget. The states that have these problems are filled with politicians promising tax cuts. When they get in office, they have to cut budgets somewhere. Elections don't come along that often and spending less than is really needed to manage the election properly. It costs money to run a democracy, and that money has to come from our taxes.

    November 4, 2008 09:00 am at 9:00 am |
  107. Jay, louisville kentucky

    here we go again. The GOP is going to steal another one.

    November 4, 2008 09:01 am at 9:01 am |
  108. Phil, Ashburn, VA

    VA will be blue. I am about to go out in Ashburn to cast my vote.

    November 4, 2008 09:01 am at 9:01 am |
  109. Irving Texas

    Is this where the paper ballots are thrown in the ocean and sea if voters vote for Obama? This has happened before

    November 4, 2008 09:01 am at 9:01 am |
  110. Joe Green

    Wow problems in RICHMOND and FAIRFAX COUNTY? Say it ain't so! The two districts that delivered Red State Virginia for Democrat Jim webb in 2006.

    Funny how that works, right?

    November 4, 2008 09:03 am at 9:03 am |
  111. Tulip

    This is so TRANSPARENT!! Yes we will need to boycott, they repub. ticket will stop at nothing to win, they have NO shame. Disgusting.

    November 4, 2008 09:04 am at 9:04 am |
  112. Anonymous

    John McCain said he was closing in the polls. Now we know why!

    November 4, 2008 09:04 am at 9:04 am |
  113. itsme87

    I like how everyone immediately blames republicans for "fixing" the machines just because the machines are in black counties. Maybe the black people running the machines are uneducated and don't know how to work them! And you all want a black president. Great.

    November 4, 2008 09:05 am at 9:05 am |
  114. gobama

    voted this morning in the north suburbs of Chicago, deep in Obama country. Took 15 minutes and voted with a paper but electronic was available. Still like the paper.

    November 4, 2008 09:06 am at 9:06 am |
  115. J

    John McCain said he was closing in the polls. Now we know why! Count every ballot! Stop making the US a laughing stock around the world!!!

    November 4, 2008 09:06 am at 9:06 am |
  116. Claire

    Got to the poll this morning at 5:35am!!! Vote America!

    November 4, 2008 09:08 am at 9:08 am |
  117. Sally

    Oh my God! Will you people grow up and stop your conspiracy theories no one is fixing this election sounds like a bunch of bitter democrats that lost last election ,the election process is fair let it go people.

    November 4, 2008 09:08 am at 9:08 am |
  118. Cora

    I pray that Obama is elected....hope there really is no problem with this election.

    November 4, 2008 09:09 am at 9:09 am |
  119. Chuck from MN

    RIGHT, RIGHT...blame breaking machines on the GOP. What do you do when YOUR COMPUTER MALFUNCTIONS? You blame them for that, too? FOOLS!

    Voted at 7AM, 40 people in line by the time I left. 14 booths set up where we normally have 5.

    I only hope that ACORN didn't send Michael Rodent (That's Mickey Mouse to the uninitiated) to vote at in this state.

    ACORN
    A
    Criminal
    Orgination
    Registering
    Nonsense!

    November 4, 2008 09:09 am at 9:09 am |
  120. Chip

    CNN, do us a favor and list the party affiliation of the districts with machine problems. You know, County Elections Supervisor, Chairman of State Board of Elections, Secretaries of State. Look for a trend.

    If the Republicans can make the voting machines under the purview of Democrats malfunction, those are the guys I want defending the country, not the ones that can't even protect the vote in their own district.

    November 4, 2008 09:10 am at 9:10 am |
  121. Jason in NC

    Watch the demographics of where the problems are. Mostly in swing states, in the critical precincts (read Democrat/minority). And that's also where most of the paperless voting machines are. If Obama loses, this will be why, and if we sit by and let it happen again we are all complicitous in the end of our democracy. If he loses we need to shut the country down, call a general strike, and march on Washington.

    November 4, 2008 09:13 am at 9:13 am |
  122. lmj

    I am a trusting person, but there comes a point where you really start to get a feeling that the Republicants really are trying to steal another election.

    November 4, 2008 09:13 am at 9:13 am |
  123. john

    va sucks

    November 4, 2008 09:13 am at 9:13 am |
  124. WELCOME TO THE OBAMA SHOW

    DON'T WORRY ACORN SUPPORTERS WILL HELP WITH THE PAPER BALLOTS AND ERASERS

    November 4, 2008 09:13 am at 9:13 am |
  125. john

    yes it's work in fairfax change 08

    November 4, 2008 09:14 am at 9:14 am |
  126. Desmond Sequeira

    From a non-US citizen, not black or white or red or blue. Just very concerned for the USA and the world: To-day most of the USA will prove whether it has a good God or one that spawns smear and fear.

    November 4, 2008 09:14 am at 9:14 am |
  127. Stupid is as stupid does

    Every year it's in a toss up state. Ballots geet wet, machines get broken, polls open late....it's the same story. Was there this much crap in Virginia and North Carolina last time? Not at all. But now that there's a chance for thaose states to go either way, all of a sudden there are problems. Why haven't we heard of porblems in Maine or Delaware?

    Republicans want to steal yet another election.

    November 4, 2008 09:15 am at 9:15 am |
  128. Val in Atlanta

    Let's all write to our Congress members to have Election Day declared a national holiday in the future. We need to eliminate every obstacle to voting that we can. People should not have to take a day off work and possibly lose pay because they want to vote. Here in Atlanta, there is no public school on election day so parents have to take their kids to the polling place or try to find a sitter. Spread the word and let's start a movement to have a National Holiday on the first Tuesday in November every four years!

    November 4, 2008 09:15 am at 9:15 am |
  129. Mel B. in Columbia SC

    Haven't we seen this somewhere before?

    You would think by now tha after the last 2 elections we would have invested some money in to voting machines. Why can't we have one voting system through out the country that works all the same...we have one IRS and Equifax and it seems to work.

    How can America want the rest of the world to have voting rights and we can't even get it right in our own country???

    November 4, 2008 09:16 am at 9:16 am |
  130. Gov't not the answer

    Do you ever wonder how private corporations can make secure transactions over the internet, implement an ATM/banking system that works, but the government can't administer a machine that correctly tabulates a simple multiple choice question?

    These are the people I want administering health care.

    All hail Obama!

    November 4, 2008 09:18 am at 9:18 am |
  131. inthebasement

    A man on the moon.Clueless at how to run a fair election.Unreal !!!!

    November 4, 2008 09:18 am at 9:18 am |
  132. Andy

    I have never seen so many frowns on the Republican faces...go President Obama

    November 4, 2008 09:18 am at 9:18 am |
  133. KN

    I voted in Arlington this morning with no problems. Got there at 6 am and the line was already around the block – took about an hour and a half.

    Obama/Biden '08

    November 4, 2008 09:18 am at 9:18 am |
  134. Steve

    Virginia, the new Florida! Instead of a hanging chad, now we have a "hanging" touchscreen? Can you smell it? It smells like....Republician Theft!

    November 4, 2008 09:19 am at 9:19 am |
  135. Matt

    here it comes...

    November 4, 2008 09:26 am at 9:26 am |
  136. ralph

    Every one complains about both parties. The two parties are the same. Why dont you look at third parties points? The things being sent by all of you in this post are exactly what Nader and BArr are saying. Why do you think Ron Paul threw hiw support to the third parties. Keep complaining and voting with the two parties who are in bed with corporations, this countyr will be fine. Does anyone study history this country is in this mess because of the democrats and republicans

    November 4, 2008 09:27 am at 9:27 am |
  137. VA Voter

    I voted this morning in McLean with no problem, they had machines as well as paper ballots and I was in and out in less than an hour.

    I also go to GMU and the email that we received from an unknown source posing as the school administration this morning was disappointing. The parties may have their differences, but everyone eligible is entitled to vote. Anything done to try and trick or dissuade voters of either party is a disgrace to democracy.

    Obama/Biden '08

    November 4, 2008 09:27 am at 9:27 am |
  138. No Surprise

    This is the typical republican trade-mark; deception replaces fear.

    November 4, 2008 09:27 am at 9:27 am |
  139. Wise White Guy

    Go stand in line anyway! Do your best to keep others from leaving because that is what the Republicans want. McCain has said dozens of times the last three days that if he is going to win it will depend on turnout. Make no mistake he wants the number of votes cast to be as small as possible. Don't let them steal YOUR vote or anyone else. This is the chance of a lifetime!

    November 4, 2008 09:28 am at 9:28 am |
  140. Clarence J Rowley

    Please be advise that we still have the whole electoral college to decide who the new president will be.

    November 4, 2008 09:28 am at 9:28 am |
  141. david g

    I was the first to vote at 6:00 am this morning at Longfellow Middle School in McLean. No votoing machines were in sight, and we had paper ballots there, rather than an electronic system, as in earlier elections. So I wonder if the M Walton report based on R Suleman's alleged statement is 100% accurate.

    November 4, 2008 09:29 am at 9:29 am |
  142. Citizen Twain

    We are trying to build democracies overseas and we can't even vote correctly here? Ironic. Outlandish.

    Obama will win by a landslide, so it won't matter. Cheat away Reps, it is all for naught.

    November 4, 2008 09:29 am at 9:29 am |
  143. Tired

    How many elections need to be screwed up due to these faulty machines? Why is filling out a paper ballot so bloody hard? I would vote to outlaw the machines as long as I could do so on paper.

    November 4, 2008 09:29 am at 9:29 am |
  144. Mark

    Funny how there are no reports of voting problems in California or Texas. It seems to be the closely contested states with all the problems. American's undermining their own democracy!! Unbelieveable. Maybe the rest of the world needs to send monitors to the USA to make sure elections are fair and democratic!

    November 4, 2008 09:30 am at 9:30 am |
  145. Not4MoreYears

    Do voting machines ever break in Republican districts?

    November 4, 2008 09:30 am at 9:30 am |
  146. vote obama

    wow, utterly speechless. like my momma always said, cheaters never prosper. haha

    OBAMA/BIDEN 08

    November 4, 2008 09:30 am at 9:30 am |
  147. WELCOME TO THE OBAMA SHOW

    HOW MANY OBAMA SUPPORTERS DOES IT TAKE TO PUT IN A LIGHT BULB.

    WHO KNOWS BECAUSE IF OBAMA DOESN'T TELL THEM HOW IT CAN'T BE DONE!!!!!

    November 4, 2008 09:30 am at 9:30 am |
  148. mary

    This is all very scary, I keep getting this feeling like this election is rigged. I voted but i almost feel like it is out of my hand.

    November 4, 2008 09:30 am at 9:30 am |
  149. Matt

    VA is the new FL.

    November 4, 2008 09:31 am at 9:31 am |
  150. Enough

    God help US! We have the nerve to send election monitors to other countries to monitor their election, yet in our own country, elections reeks of fraud. This is a shame!!!

    November 4, 2008 09:31 am at 9:31 am |
  151. Matt

    Get your rioting boots on people...if they steal this one, we need to teach them a serious lesson.

    November 4, 2008 09:32 am at 9:32 am |
  152. Gary SWMO

    It's a little fishy that 2 different democrat areas of Virginia are the only areas reporting problems already in Virginia. Same place that a state employee made a flyer trying to decieve democrat voters.

    November 4, 2008 09:33 am at 9:33 am |
  153. Anonymous

    Haven't they heard of testing their equipment first??? Especially on a day like today?? Hello!

    November 4, 2008 09:35 am at 9:35 am |
  154. Gov't not the answer

    Of course , there were no problems in 2006, since the outcome is what the Dems desired. If Obama wins, this will be a non-issue.

    November 4, 2008 09:35 am at 9:35 am |
  155. Larry Blevins

    Go McCain and Palin

    November 4, 2008 09:37 am at 9:37 am |
  156. Jrizzo575

    I waited 90 minutes (arrived 30 mins before polls opened) in Arlington to vote, and used a back up paper ballot because the line for paper was shorter.

    In four years voting there on Glebe Rd., never once before saw a black person. This morning, I saw about 25% black people (I am white).

    The line moved, the people were excited. GOBAMA!

    November 4, 2008 09:38 am at 9:38 am |
  157. Jill American

    The smart computer folks don't man the polls ... that's the problem.

    November 4, 2008 09:38 am at 9:38 am |
  158. Commonwealth of Virginia

    They are also having macine problems in Chesapeake VA.

    November 4, 2008 09:39 am at 9:39 am |
  159. jim in texas

    I think there is some sabotage by the dems in Texas right now. my wife had an 7am appointment with the pest control people and they keep telling her they will be there shortly and its been nearly 2 hours. we are republican and I think we are being sabotaged by a dem. any ideas on what we should do? at our age this may be the last election we get to vote in. should we report the pest control company to the government?

    November 4, 2008 09:44 am at 9:44 am |
  160. N. Lindsey

    I am hoping that this election is not stolen. There is a lot anxiety about this one. Some are talking about experience. Who has experience?

    An Incumubent maybe? We have all kinds of excuses about Mr OBama. None I feel are valid.

    I hope that we will begin to practice what the Constitution is all about, and for the so called Rright Winged Religous, the Bible states that we are all children of God?

    November 4, 2008 09:47 am at 9:47 am |
  161. vic, nj

    It funny how something always goes wrong in a predominately democratic section of a battleground state. How dont we hear of breakdowns in rural areas. Remember florida 2000.

    November 4, 2008 09:47 am at 9:47 am |
  162. Theresa

    I prediced 4 months ago that Virginia will be the next "fixed" state, following Florida 2000, and Ohio 2004. Its only 10AM and already there are problems. The least that should be done at the end of the election is a recount of the Virginia vote. (Hopefully not the sham that the Florida recount was.) Although I have faith enough to hope that it will not come to that. Vote Obama 08!!!

    November 4, 2008 09:48 am at 9:48 am |
  163. Steve, Madison WI

    I bet if you give MIT or another university a $10 million grant they will quickly develop a electronic voting machine with a paper trail and one that will not "conveniently" break down in a heavily Democratic area.

    November 4, 2008 09:50 am at 9:50 am |
  164. Niccole in Georgia

    The only places so far that they are having voting issues are states that Barack is ahead in. Typically red states that are now marginally blue. This is no coincidence. I am so disgusted.

    November 4, 2008 09:50 am at 9:50 am |
  165. Matt

    If there is widespread problems with these voting machines and John McCain somehow pulls off a victory, there will be hell to pay in this country.

    November 4, 2008 09:50 am at 9:50 am |
  166. carmen - va

    I'm in Fairfax County and I voted early.

    If Obama loses, it will not be because he didn't win.

    I'm so sick of cheating Republicans and hope this won't be the case AGAIN..

    November 4, 2008 09:51 am at 9:51 am |
  167. me

    say it aint so!

    November 4, 2008 09:52 am at 9:52 am |
  168. Rex

    These things can happen in an election sometimes.
    However I am certain that any attempt made to steal this election will fail woefully.

    November 4, 2008 09:53 am at 9:53 am |
  169. Peyton

    I just voted in Fairfax County (Pimmit Hills precinct) and all was well. Got in line at 7:15, done by 8:20. I'm so excited for Obama/Biden '08!

    November 4, 2008 09:55 am at 9:55 am |
  170. President McCain

    We are all Americans!

    November 4, 2008 09:57 am at 9:57 am |
  171. angie in NC

    I voted this morning. No problem. I was no 21 in line.
    Obama/Biden!

    November 4, 2008 10:01 am at 10:01 am |
  172. Vickie Carroll

    I just returned home after volunteering at my Polling place in Centreville, checking voter names as they came in to vote. I found the process very efficient, they were using paper ballots with no problems. Election officials were handling voter issues efficiently and courteously. After the first two hours, where the lines were long, there was a lull. I would estimate from what I heard, that most people stood in line less than an hour.

    Go Vote!! Vote Obama!!

    November 4, 2008 10:03 am at 10:03 am |
  173. Tom

    As a European living in Africa I can only say that Barack Obama as President should take care of your educational system because even your voting system is out dated and is a complete shame for the US.

    November 4, 2008 10:05 am at 10:05 am |
  174. yes we can

    American people are thinking they have the greatest democracy and
    the greatest country in the world. America is even surpervising elections in banana republics to make sure this is no cheating! They are persuated they have the greatest engineering in the world!
    Often they are looking down at other country especially at the "old Europe". At least in France and Germany we can vote without this circus. It is a shame how voters are treating in this country. What a great democracy when voters have to fight to exercise their fundamental right to vote or when their ballots are just discarted!

    November 4, 2008 10:05 am at 10:05 am |
  175. KTJ

    I'm sorry I'm a little confused as to how is this the republicans fault??

    Both democrats and republicans work the polls...I voted in Fairfax County this morning and had no problems.

    November 4, 2008 10:08 am at 10:08 am |
  176. Jackson

    Stop your whining, liberals. If you do any "civil unrest" in my neighborhood, Mr.Smith and Mr. Wesson will be there.

    November 4, 2008 10:13 am at 10:13 am |
  177. no fear

    so we're looking at VA, IN, GA, and NC all reporting problems with voting today. isn't that interesting. it doesn't seem coincidental. I just hope voters aren't deterred by these snafus. I can't help but wonder if these problems are deliberate.

    November 4, 2008 10:13 am at 10:13 am |
  178. The Thinker

    This is an opportunity for the crack staff at CNN to expose the flaws of our voting system once and for all. I hope that they don't squander this opportunity to 'out' the elected and appointed officials in our country that have decided to invest in voting technologies that are PROVEN to not be accurate, reliable, or secure. I've been taking tests my entire life by filling in ovals on a piece of paper with a number 2 pencil, and my guess is that most Americans have by now. Why do we need millions of dollars worth of unreliable electronics to vote when paper and pencil make far more sense?

    November 4, 2008 10:20 am at 10:20 am |
  179. Adrienne

    Here's what I find ironic. The people most sanguine about electoral problems are the Republicans who, to hear them tell it, are the only ones who love America and have bugger all idea about what it means to be a patriot and a democrat (small-d).

    So, to the next Republican who brushes away reports of voting problems with a wave of the hand; what, exactly, is it to be an American? To me, a core part is a commitment to the idea of free, fair, participatory democracy. I wouldn't care if it were MY party (Dem) that were to benefit from voting shenanigans, it isn't part of what our country should be about. If you don't get that, then you are a nationalist but you are not a patriot.

    Cheers
    A

    November 4, 2008 10:21 am at 10:21 am |
  180. SeriouslyBadVibes

    I voted minutes ago in Fairfax County – was in and out in 5 minutes maximum – maybe a couple folks ahead of me in the post-registration, pre-voting line.

    Computer or paper balloting allowed.

    Painless.

    Go vote! Do it NOW!

    November 4, 2008 10:25 am at 10:25 am |
  181. randy - northern VA

    I am running out to vote at 3. Hopefully my vote will count. I find it odd there are problems in richmond, fairfax co, and e-mails being sent out to George Mason students telling them to vote tomorrow.
    Oddly enough no problems in the Shenandoah Valley or south western VA.

    November 4, 2008 10:31 am at 10:31 am |
  182. Listen Up...

    I'm really concerned about those new chips. They may be programmed for John McCain.

    November 4, 2008 10:34 am at 10:34 am |
  183. al in memphis

    I understand any machine can break, but why not find this out until the day of an election.

    We can put satelite tracking technology on our dog to find them if they get lost, but we can't make a dependable voting machin

    November 4, 2008 10:46 am at 10:46 am |
  184. MEP

    This is called repressing the vote. A new uniform system is needed. It is hard to believe in this age of IT that glitches like these occur on such a key day - doesn't anyone believe in testing these systems out before millions of people use them?

    November 4, 2008 10:52 am at 10:52 am |
  185. Don

    Hey Seriously, shallow statement there. Why don't you look into the ACORN tactics of cheating and then come back with a positive statement instead of blaming something else on the Republicans?

    I guess that it is the Republicans fault that in the State of Mississippi which has 82 counties, that there are 29 counties now have more registered voters than population. Explain that one, but then I would expect just another excuse from another liberal.

    November 4, 2008 10:54 am at 10:54 am |
  186. Kamah Thoronka

    my parents went to vote in prince William county Va and when they hit the ballot for Obama it jumps to mccain. We are in the middle of this historic moment. I just hope people let it happen ss it was destined to.

    November 4, 2008 11:02 am at 11:02 am |
  187. debbie

    to theresa:
    So according to you, Obama will put everyone back to work, the economy will smell great, the world will suddenly love the U.S., we will pay every dime back to China, China will stop sending poisionous products, and finally, according to your comment, Obama can be trusted completely in everthing he says and does!
    Who is under a rock here?

    November 4, 2008 11:15 am at 11:15 am |
  188. Reverend Wrong

    "the chickens have come home to vote!!"

    November 4, 2008 11:16 am at 11:16 am |
  189. attom

    For the millionth time, why can't we standardize the NATIONAL voting system, isn't this a NATIONAL election? You'd think voting was a new concept the patchwork way this is done.

    November 4, 2008 11:26 am at 11:26 am |
  190. Adrienne

    Dan:

    Unlike Republicans, I am bothered by ANY irregularities. However, I'm curious–are those fake registrations showing up at the polls? No, at least not that I'm aware of. Are people having *real* voting problems? Yes. So which is worse, Dan? A fake registration that doesn't show up at the polls (when Mickey Mouse shows up at the polls and casts a vote, let me know) or a real voter, showing up to a real poll, not being able to cast their vote or having their vote changed by a malfunctioning machine?

    Cheers

    November 4, 2008 11:37 am at 11:37 am |
  191. P Nice

    Lay off Virginia you slackers. You hypersensitive losers need to get a grip. The best man will win, I'm tired of all you party bootlickers looking for excuses in case your candidate loses.

    November 4, 2008 11:56 am at 11:56 am |
  192. TIRED OF THE SAME

    Seriously, somebody need to something

    November 4, 2008 12:02 pm at 12:02 pm |
  193. Voting Fraud versus Registration Fraud

    Don, while Voter REGISTRATION fraud is illegal and should be punished to the fullest extent of the law, it is not the same as voter fraud – which involves the fraudulent casting of votes.

    Mickey mouse, my dog and a few dead people can all register but when they don't vote it has no impact on the election.

    Don, maybe you should look into ACORN yourself instead of just regurgitating right wing talking points.

    GOTV

    November 4, 2008 12:09 pm at 12:09 pm |

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