Westchester Voting Machines Reject Ballots Over Paper Thickness

Voting operations across Westchester County, New York, encountered widespread scanner failures Tuesday morning, November 3, 2026, after voting machines began rejecting paper ballots. The county Board of Elections attributed the disruption to ballot thickness and assured voters that every eligible ballot would still be counted.

The technical problem affected polling locations throughout the county, including the Town of North Salem. Municipal officials alerted residents that scanners were not accepting ballots and instructed voters to continue participating while election workers addressed the issue.

According to the Westchester County Board of Elections, the paper used for ballots was preventing scanners from processing them correctly. Officials emphasized that voting remained operational despite the equipment difficulties.

Voters whose ballots cannot pass through scanners are being instructed to place them in designated orange emergency ballot bags. Election officials said the ballots would remain secure, undergo monitoring and be counted according to established election procedures.

The disruption comes during a closely watched congressional contest in New York's 17th Congressional District, where Democratic challenger Cait Conley is competing against Republican Rep. Mike Lawler. Both candidates urged residents to remain at polling locations and complete the voting process despite the scanner failures.

Conley addressed the technical difficulties in a social media statement, emphasizing that voters could still participate and that their ballots would count.

"There are technical issues with ballot scanners in Westchester, but don't worry: you can still vote and every vote is being counted!" Conley wrote on social media.

Lawler also sought to reassure voters while election officials investigated whether the malfunction originated from the ballot paper or the scanning equipment.

"However, every ballot will be counted. Stay on line and vote. Do not leave the polling place without voting," Lawler said.

The county Board of Elections said it was maintaining communication with New York state officials, county leadership and polling station workers while technicians investigated the problem and worked to restore normal scanner operations.

The board apologized for the disruption and reiterated that the technical difficulties should not prevent eligible residents from exercising their voting rights.

"Every eligible vote will be counted. No voter should be discouraged from participating in this election because of this issue," the Westchester County Board of Elections said.

Election officials continued coordinating with technicians and state authorities as emergency ballot procedures remained in place for ballots that scanners could not process.