Computer coding mistake caused ballot shortages in Chicago

Chicago has long relied on a complex system to ensure every voter receives the correct ballot for their specific address. On Tuesday, a technical failure in that system disrupted voting at multiple locations across the city. The Chicago Board of Elections confirmed that a coding error in their software caused incorrect quantities of specific ballot styles to be sent to certain polling places. This mistake created shortages of paper ballots at sites on the North, South, and West Sides, leading to long lines and voter confusion well after polls closed.

The Board explained that the issue stemmed from a transposition of numbers in split precincts. These are polling locations situated on district lines where voters from different neighboring districts cast different types of ballots. In these specific locations, the computer system calculated the total number of ballots correctly but swapped the quantities for the individual styles. For example, a location might have received too few ballots for one district and too many for another, leaving some voters without the specific form they needed.

Voters experienced the impact of the shortage throughout the day. Eleazar Garza, who voted in Pilsen, told reporters he was kept waiting for hours. Meredith Anderer in the First Ward was told her polling place had run out of paper ballots entirely. Tahya Bailey in West Chatham described feeling irritated by the delay. First Ward Alderman Daniel La Spata witnessed the problem directly at the Goethe Elementary School polling location. He stated that the Board was notified of the shortage at 3:30 p.m., but the necessary paper ballots did not begin printing until two hours later.

The Board has not yet determined the full extent of the shortage. Chicago contains a total of 1,291 precincts, of which 491 are split precincts. While not all split precincts were affected, the Board is still investigating exactly how many locations ran out of one or more ballot styles. Spokesperson Julie Metea noted that the total number of ballots provided to each precinct was correct, but the distribution among the different styles was wrong in some cases. This error is described by the Board as the first of its kind in the city's history.

Alderman La Spata emphasized the stakes of the election. He pointed out that many of the new school board races were decided by margins of less than one percentage point. He suggested that the shortage could have affected outcomes in these close contests. La Spata urged the public to attend the Chicago Board of Elections budget committee hearing scheduled for Nov. 9 to voice their concerns. He stated that trust in the election process is easily broken and difficult to repair, urging the Board's leadership to prioritize restoring public confidence.

The Board's IT department has already implemented additional automated validation checks. These new system safeguards are designed to identify and prevent similar issues before ballot quantities are sent to printing vendors. The ongoing investigation will continue to identify the total number of precincts that experienced shortages. The Board has requested an on-camera interview to discuss the matter but has so far declined multiple requests from media outlets.

Julie Metea, the Board's spokesperson, issued an apology to voters on behalf of the agency. She acknowledged that the error slowed lines at certain precincts. The Board thanked voters for their patience and fortitude in casting their votes despite the delays. The agency commended the dedication of those who stuck with the process through the disruption.

The Board remains committed to transparency as it continues its investigation. It has stated that it will provide further details as the investigation reveals the full scope of the impact. The additional checks implemented by the IT department are now active to ensure accuracy in future election cycles.

Voters who encountered shortages on Tuesday have been asked to monitor updates from the Board. The Nov. 9 hearing will provide a forum for public comment on the incident and the Board's response. La Spata will be present to represent the First Ward and other affected areas. The Board has not yet released a final count of the affected precincts.

The coding error involved the computerized calculations used to generate ballot style quantities. The transposition occurred only in split precincts where multiple ballot styles were stocked on site. The Board has confirmed that the total ballot count for each location was accurate, but the specific breakdown by style was incorrect in the impacted areas.