Cameron County Department of Elections early voting clerk Rebecca Salazar adds the second of two locks to the ballot box Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, before the day's opening of the early voting polling location for the Texas midterm elections in Harlingen, Texas. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald via AP)
Cameron County Department of Elections early voting clerk Rebecca Salazar adds the second of two locks to the ballot box Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, before the day's opening of the early voting polling location for the Texas midterm elections in Harlingen, Texas. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald via AP)
Denise CatheyIt's Election Day, and you've decided you're going to vote in person. You get there and — choose your own adventure — maybe the power is out at the building or there aren't enough paper ballots or poll workers, or poll watchers somehow interfere with ballot casting.
There are only so many options voters have. Wait; or leave and come back later if your schedule allows for it. Planning for the unforeseen could be helpful.
Many voters will see no trouble at all casting a ballot. For others, in some states and the effects of about former President Donald's claims about losing in 2020 are .
WHO DECIDES HOW TO HANDLE DISRUPTIONS?
Elections in the United States are decentralized, with county and local officials across 50 states responsible for carrying out the balloting and tabulating votes. So where a disruption unfolds will determine which official decides how to handle it.
In Wisconsin, where Trump and others were quick to inaccurately allege fraud, as part of their training.
WILL MY VOTE COUNT?
Election watchers and civil rights advocates point out that voter intimidation, which could include aggressive questioning about citizenship status, is illegal. They advise looking up your state officials and reporting such behavior.
If you're at the polling place where you believe you're registered but are being turned away you can request a provisional ballot, which will be counted after officials determine your eligibility to cast a ballot.
Also, don't get out of line if you're already in it when polls close, experts say, because you should still have the opportunity to cast your ballot.
WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?
There's nothing like a good plan, experts say.
Voters are facing this year after redistricting, so making sure you know who you're voting for up and down the ballot is key, says Jeanette Senecal, the League of Women Voters' senior director of mission impact. Also, if you can, try to head to the polls at off-peak times, like the late morning and after lunch.
“Checking your name, avoiding the crowd, knowing what's on your ballot — all of those things can help voters have a less stressful, easier Election Day experience,†she says.
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AP journalist Mike Catalini can be reached at
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Check out to learn more about the issues and factors at play in the 2022 midterm elections. Follow AP’s coverage of the 2022 midterm elections at:
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