Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
‘We have fallen short’: Westchester county exec vows investigation amid ballot chaos
By
Ben Feuerherd
and
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Nov 3, 2026 at 9:28 a.m. ET
Modified Nov 3, 2026 at 10:06 a.m. ET
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Photo by LEONARDO MUNOZ/AFP via Getty Images
By
Ben Feuerherd
and
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Nov 3, 2026 at 9:28 a.m. ET
Modified Nov 3, 2026 at 10:06 a.m. ET
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Westchester County executive Ken Jenkins is demanding an investigation into county-wide ballot problems that plagued voters and poll workers in a battleground area that could determine control of the House.
Voters and officials reported that voting machines were not accepting paper ballots throughout the county early Tuesday morning, but local leaders urged voters to stay in line and that their votes will be counted. The county elections agency said that once ballots are filled out, they will be placed in emergency ballot bags, which will be secured and monitored by poll workers.
“Voters should remain in line and exercise their right to vote,” Jenkins said in a statement. “Every eligible voter will have the opportunity to cast their ballot, and every vote must be counted. I have directed County officials, including representatives from our Law Department, to monitor the voting process and ensure that voters can cast their ballots without interference and that every vote is properly and accurately counted.”
But not every voter sounded so sure.
“Not great,” said Karina De La Rosa, a voter in Sleepy Hollow, NY after leaving her polling place. “We're already hearing that the Republicans are, you know, they want to mess with what's going on right now because there's going to be a blue tsunami, so they say.”
De La Rosa, told Gothamist she didn’t know there was a problem with the machine until she was done casting her ballot and a poll worker told her to put the ballot in a red bag.
“He's like, ‘Well, you have to put it in the sack,’” she said after voting. “ I made a face.”
She said the workers at the site were familiar faces and all seemed prepared, but poll workers across the county are managing chaos.
The Westchester Board of Elections initially said in a statement that a paper thickness problem prevented the devices from accepting ballots, but later corrected the statement and removed mention of the issue. The county board is responsible for the ballots and the machines which are supposed to be tested before Election Day.
Westchester, just north of New York City, is one of several counties voting in the marquee congressional race between Republican Rep. Mike Lawler and Democratic challenger Cait Conley. Gov. Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James – both Democrats – are also seeking re-election against their Republican challengers, County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Saritha Komatireddy.
James said in a statement on social media that the attorney general’s office is also monitoring the issue.
Lawler tweeted about the issues Tuesday morning, encouraging his supporters to remain in line.
“Every ballot will be counted,” he wrote. “Stay on line and vote. Do not leave the polling place without voting.”
His challenger, Cait Conley, similarly encouraged voters to stay at the polls and said the issue was being handled and resolved in a bipartisan way.
“The Polls are open and operational, and every vote cast will be counted. Please stay in line and have your voice heard as they work to resolve the issue,” she said on social media.
Jenkins said the county would be holding an investigation into the issue.
“Once these issues are resolved, I will convene a bipartisan team to conduct a thorough review of the decisions and failures that led to this debacle, determine where accountability lies and ensure that this never happens again,” Jenkins said in the statement.
“Westchester County voters deserve a fair, secure and seamless election process. Today, we have fallen short of that standard. The voters deserve better, and I intend to make sure they get it,” he added.
This is a developing story and has been updated.
Tagged
Politics
new york
Ben Feuerherd
Ben Feuerherd covers public safety and policing for WNYC and Gothamist. He previously covered federal courts for The New York Post and The Messenger. His work has also appeared in POLITICO, the Daily Beast and NBC New York. Got a tip? Email [email protected].
Read more
Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Child dies in raging Upstate New York measles outbreak
It’s the first measles death in the state in 30 years.
By
Caroline Lewis
Published Nov 3, 2026 at 11:52 a.m. ET
Medicaid is changing. We want to hear from NYers about what's ahead.
Upcoming changes could push hundreds of thousands onto the rolls of the uninsured.
By
Caroline Lewis
News
Medicaid is changing. We want to hear from NYers about what's ahead.
Upcoming changes could push hundreds of thousands onto the rolls of the uninsured.
By
Caroline Lewis
A typo. A missing screw. These are the small snags keeping NYC families in shelters.
By
Karen Yi
Early Addition: Why Sweetgreen is pivoting to wraps
By
James Ramsay
How to spend $20M in East Williamsburg? A discussion begins.
By
Willow Higgins
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .