LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Voters across Louisville were delayed the morning of Election Day due to technology issues.
Polls opened at 6 a.m. on Tuesday in Kentucky and multiple polling locations were plagued by long lines.
Director of Communications for Jefferson County County Clerk's Office Ashley Tinius said several computers were slow to start this morning however, they sped up as the morning went on.
When the e-pollbooks started up Tuesday morning, the system had to download all 113,000 people who voted early in Jefferson County to ensure no one was voting twice, she said.
Tinius maintains the machines at no point ever crashed, it was just moving slowly.
Jefferson County Clerk Bobbie Holsclaw posted on social media acknowledging the delays this morning but reassuring voters the lines will move quicker as the day progresses:
WHAS11 Reporter Jim Stratman and Photojournalist Addy Hill witnessed lines that spanned throughout the parking lot at Ascension Lutheran Church, a polling location in east Louisville.
Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams responded to the delay in a social media post:
Mayor Craig Greenberg also released a statement on the voting delays:
"We are hearing reports of early morning issues at some polling places across Jefferson County. The Jefferson County Clerk’s Office oversees the voting locations and process. We have reached out to them to express our concern, and I encourage you to report any problems you experience to them at 502-574-6100. My understanding is that these issues are currently being resolved, so please remain in line or return to the polls later today.
To all local employers, please provide flexibility and understanding to your employees today so everyone can exercise their right to vote.
We encourage the Jefferson County and State Boards of Elections to keep the polls open longer and provide all available accommodations to ensure that everyone gets a chance to vote in this important election.
Several viewers called WHAS11 News reported long lines at other polling locations across Louisville. Despite the initial delay, everyone who called was able to place their ballot."