At least 100 voters receive wrong ballot
PHOENIXVILLE >> It was a rough start to Election Day for Phoenixville’s Middle 1 polling location after incorrect ballots were handed out to the first 100 or so voters.
According to poll workers, the issue was discovered after a few voters noticed a candidate was missing from their ballot. Those 108 voters were given ballots for the 155th District but the precinct is split between the 155th District and the 157th District. Those voters were given the ballot for the 155th District even if their home may have fallen in the 157th District.
“I didn’t vote yet and a voter came out and said, ‘Becky Corbin was on my ballot but Kampf is my state representative,’” explained Michael Kuznar who was at the polls early this morning when the problem was discovered. “Then someone went in and they found out they were handing out the wrong ballots. Unfortunately if the election comes down to the wire and those potential votes could sway they election, we won’t have a winner tonight.”
Phoenixville Mayor Peter Urscheler said he was also working the polls early this morning when the issue was discovered and that election officials are currently working on making sure those individuals know to return to the polls before closing at 8 p.m. today.
“The biggest challenge is that the train is moving while we’re figuring it out. People need to speak to the judge of elections in that polling place before it closes today in order to do what they need to do to get this taken care of,” said Urscheler.
At the moment, Urscheler said the community is working on trying to get in contact with those people through social media and word of mouth.
“We just have people spreading the word in Phoenixville. Let people know to come back and see the judge of elections. I have the utmost confidence in the Chester County Board of Elections. As soon as it was brought to their attention they began rectifying it. I have confidence that whoever speaks to the judge of elections, those people will have the situation rectified,” said Urscheler.
The race in the 157th House District pits Democrat Melissa Shusterman against incumbent Republican state Rep. Warren Kampf. In the 155th District, Democrat Danielle Friel Otten and Republican incumbent Rep. Becky Corbin will face off for the seat.
The only polling location affected, according to Urscheler, was Phoenixville’s Middle 1 located at 153 Church St., Phoenixville.