Minor voting problems arise in Georgia House 129 race
Ledger-Enquirer. December 1, 2009. By CHUCK WILLIAMS
Original: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/breaking_news/story/927849.html

A small number of voters casting ballots early this morning in the runoff race for the vacant Georgia House District 129 seat encountered delays at several Columbus precincts, Muscogee County Elections Director Nancy Boren said.

All of those caught in the delay were able to vote, but about 10 voters had to cast provisional ballots, Boren said. Those votes will not be counted with the rest of the votes today, but instead will be tabulated on Friday when the election is certified.

The runoff to replace Vance Smith, who resigned to become commissioner of the Department of Transportation is between Columbus businessman Kip Smith and Pine Mountain businessman Steve Earles. Kip Smith, Vance Smith's son, got more than 49 percent of the vote four weeks ago in the four-person special election.

The district includes part of northern Muscogee County, part of southern Troup County and almost all of Harris County, which makes up about half of the district.

The Columbus precincts are Northside Baptist Church, 959 54th St.; St. Mark United Methodist Church, 6795 Whitesville Road; the Fraternal Order of Police lodge, 8827 Heiferhorn Way; and Wynnbrook Baptist Church, 500 River Knoll Way. Voting continues until 7 p.m. today.

When the Columbus polls opened at 7 this morning, the computers that were used to look up the voters were moving slowly. What should have taken seconds, was taking minutes to complete, Boren said. The problem was fixed about an hour later, Boren said. The machines were operating properly at mid morning. The main problem was at Wynnbrook, where there were the most voters, Boren said.

"Everyone was able to vote because we have backup procedures in place," Boren said.