Audit logs were supposed to be the fail-safe of elections, an indestructible record of votes to assure the accuracy of electronic voting machines.

DAYTON — The maker of Montgomery County's electronic voting machines is blaming a damaged memory card for the loss of five ballots on Election Day.

"It is something that not only is Montgomery County going to have to consider, but the entire state," said Steve Harsman, director of the board of elections.

The Lester Higgins Workshop polling center wasn't open at 6:45 a.m. when John Ring of Canton Township went to vote.

Voters in Ohio County who headed to the polls early today were greeted by long lines of fellow voters and delays with several voting machines.
At mid-morning Ohio County elections officials said the major complaint came from voters who said more machines should have been available.

Things must be going fairly well at voting locations as the complaints about voting glitches and other problems are relatively low. Unlike in 2004, when the Dispatch voter hotline rang nonstop during the morning hours, only a handful of complaints have been lodged.

Though action to correct those voting machine malfunctions is being taken, election officials throughout the Northern Panhandle should take additional precautions.
"Early voting" began last week in West Virginia. It allows voters to go to their county courthouses and cast ballots in advance of election day, Nov. 4.
But in at least three counties, including Ohio, early voting has not gone entirely without challenges. Putnam and Jackson counties have reported headaches similar to that here in Wheeling.

Having lost before the U.S. Supreme Court in a lawsuit involving the verification of new voter registrations, Republicans now are turning to the Ohio Supreme Court.

David Myhal, a Republican from New Albany, filed a lawsuit this afternoon asking the state's highest court to issue an order related to instances when new voter information doesn't match records in state or federal databases.

Using data from 28 local election offices, the Advancement Project says some precincts with large minority populations in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri, Florida and Michigan could have long lines Nov. 4 unless they provide more machines, stations and staff. Faced with long waits, thousands of voters could give up and go home, the group says.
"There are disparities that need to be fixed," says Judith Browne-Dianis, co-director of the Advancement Project.

In a narrow interpretation of Ohio law, Democratic Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner says many of the McCain forms have not been completed properly. If the box stating the person is an eligible elector -- or qualified voter – is not checked, Brunner said, the application is no good.
Even though the box is unneeded, by not checking it voters are essentially admitting they’re not eligible, Brunner said.