Printing 'malfunction' slows in-person absentee voting in Palm Beach County

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. - Some Palm Beach County voters gave up on in-person absentee voting line on the eve of the election. Other people were turned away when an elections office printing machine 'malfunctioned', according to those in line.

Still, there was much determination among those in line to fulfill their civic duty. Frustration before voting gave way to elation after voting. Ballots that were cast are now en route to the tabulation center in Riviera Beach.

The malfunction with some of the elections equipment at the West Palm Beach elections main office slowed voter lines even more. Those in line were left standing in line for up to six hours with red tickets hoping it would hold their place to cast an in-person absentee ballot.

Voters were told by elections officials that some kind of printing issue with some of the equipment had occurred. That issue stopped the line movement for about 45 minutes. Those who had already waited for hours said they could not give up on voting then.

"It has been worth the wait," said Katherine Jarrett of West Palm Beach. "We thought we were going to have to not vote tonight but they got the machine fixed and I'm just so grateful," she said.

Voters were told that a technician had to be called into the West Palm Beach to fixed the problem. In-person absentee voting continued late into the night.

Dan Corcoran

WPTV Newschannel 5/WFLX FOX 29

dcorcoran@wptv.com

561.714.0307