Knox County pushes back on voting machine glitch reports. Here’s how to report ballot errors.

What This Story Is About

• Knox County election officials are pushing back on reports of voting machine glitches elsewhere in Tennessee as early voting reaches its halfway point. Knox County uses an all-paper ballot system, except for the final submission into the machine.

Why It Matters

• Some early voters in Middle and West Tennessee said their machines selected a different candidate than the one they chose. Knox County officials say their paper ballot process is designed to keep votes accurate, and voters there, including Thomas Vineyard, reported a smooth, issue-free process.

What Happens Next

• Early voting is halfway over and ends on the 29th. Mark Goins, Tennessee coordinator of elections, said if a voter believes there is an issue with their ballot, they should immediately notify a poll official before casting it.

For Context

• Knox County uses an all-paper ballot system, except for the final submission into the machine.

Catch Up

• Chris Davis, administrator of elections for the Knox County Elections Commission, said the three constitutional amendment questions on the ballot have been taking voters longer to complete.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Knox County election officials are pushing back on reports of voting machine glitches after early voters in Middle and West Tennessee reported their machines selected a different candidate than the one they chose.

Knox County uses an all-paper ballot system, except for the final submission into the machine.

Some voters describe smooth process

Voter Thomas Vineyard said his experience casting a ballot in Knox County was simple.

“Oh, super easy. It was quick. No line. Went straight in,” Vineyard said.

Vineyard said he was not worried his ballot would be changed.

“I mean, I had no issues. I pulled up a ballot online prior to coming, looked it over, and it’s the same ballot I got here,” Vineyard said.

Chris Davis, administrator of elections for the Knox County Elections Commission, encouraged voters to prepare before arriving at the polls.

“Those three constitutional questions tend to be slowing people up a little bit, so we just really encourage voters to do your homework before you come in,” Davis said.

One ballot mishap reported

Davis said the three constitutional amendment questions have taken voters longer to complete, but the county has had only one mishap during early voting.

“I think we’ve, out of 43,000 voters, I think we switched two ballots one time. So, you know, that’s one of those things, sometimes it’s a worker error. But out of 43,000 votes, everything has gone incredibly smooth so far,” Davis said.

State says safeguards in place

Mark Goins, Tennessee coordinator of elections, said in a statement that Tennessee’s voting systems are designed with multiple safeguards to help ensure ballots are recorded consistent with voter intent.

Goins said the process includes several opportunities for voters to verify their selections before casting their ballot. He said a voter’s selection is displayed on the voting machine screen when it is made. Before casting the ballot, voters are presented with a summary screen displaying all selections made during the voting session, he adds.

Goins also said voters should carefully review the paper ballot or paper record generated by the system to confirm their choices are accurately reflected before the ballot is cast.

Officials encouraged voters to cast their ballots early, saying lines are currently shorter.

Early voting is halfway over. It ends on Oct. 29.

If a voter believes there is an issue with their ballot, Goins said they should immediately notify a poll official before casting their ballot.