The states vary widely in providing a procedure to be followed if a voting machine is found not to be working during an election. "When any voting or counting device becomes inoperative in whole or in part while the polls are open, the officers of election shall immediately notify the electoral board. If possible, the electoral board shall dispatch a qualified technician to the polling place to repair the inoperative device. All repairs shall be made in the presence of two officers of election representing the two political parties or, in the case of a primary election for only one party, two officers representing that party. If the device cannot be repaired on site, the electoral board shall, if possible, substitute a device in good order for the inoperative device, and at the close of the polls the record of both devices shall be taken, and the votes shown on their counters shall be added together in ascertaining the results of the election. No voting or counting equipment, including inoperative equipment, shall be removed from the plain view of the officers of election or from the polling place at any time during the election." Va. Code §24.2-642.
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The states vary widely in providing a procedure to be followed if a voting machine is found not to be working during an election. "When any voting or counting device becomes inoperative in whole or in part while the polls are open, the officers of election shall immediately notify the electoral board. If possible, the electoral board shall dispatch a qualified technician to the polling place to repair the inoperative device. All repairs shall be made in the presence of two officers of election representing the two political parties or, in the case of a primary election for only one party, two officers representing that party. If the device cannot be repaired on site, the electoral board shall, if possible, substitute a device in good order for the inoperative device, and at the close of the polls the record of both devices shall be taken, and the votes shown on their counters shall be added together in ascertaining the results of the election. No voting or counting equipment, including inoperative equipment, shall be removed from the plain view of the officers of election or from the polling place at any time during the election." Va. Code §24.2-642.
Cite this term
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Inoperative Equipment. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 20, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/inoperative-equipment
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