PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Delaware County and other parts of Pennsylvania, had ballot shortages that led to voting delays in Tuesday's primary election. Election officials say that's because turnout was better than expected.
The county admitted that there were more in-person voters than anticipated, with 6% of precincts having even more voters than total ballots in areas where extra ballots were ordered.
The head of Delaware County’s Election Bureau Jim Allen says they not only thought they had enough ballots printed heading into primary day, but more than needed.
But that was not the case, because some precincts ran out. He says, as more ballots were being printed, some voters were able to use other equipment or emergency ballots.
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Read the full statement below from Jim Allen, director of the Delaware County Bureau of Elections:
"The County's ballot order not only complied with but exceeded the state requirements. There are reports that turnout exceeded even those extra ballot orders in about 6% of the precincts. At all times, however, registered voters were able to vote on precinct equipment that generated paper ballots and emergency ballots as the County worked to print and deliver more paper ballots. The County regrets that some voters had longer wait times and will exceed the state requirements even more for the November election."
The Delaware County GOP jumped on the situation, Chair Tom McGarrigle saying it was mainly Republicans who were affected by "voter suppression techniques." They are calling on the district attorney to investigate.
Delco election officials say this was not partisan. Democrats ran into the shortages as well.
Acting Pennsylvania Secretary of State Veronica Degraffenreid acknowledges this happened in several counties and, in the aftermath, they’ll try to figure out what could be done differently.
"We look forward to talking to those counties, learning from how they calculated how many ballots they would have available," she said.
There were no widespread problems, she emphasized, and the elections were fair and free overall.
Delco officials say every registered voter who showed up was able to get a ballot in, and they’ll try to make sure things go more smoothly in November.