Sam Wood reports:
10:20 a.m.
Readers and Inquirer reporters attempting to cast ballots this morning found long lines across the region created by broken machines.
One of two machines was down at a busy Delaware County polling site. About 50 people already had voted by 9:15 a.m. at the Temple Israel on Spruce and Bywood Avenue in Upper Darby, which is heavily populated by immigrant and first time voters. Many of those freshly-minted voters had difficulties using the one machine that still functioned. "Hell of a day for one of the machines to be down," said one poll worker.
In South Philadelphia, both voting machines were broken at 4th and Ritner, smack dab in the middle of a John Dougherty strong hold. "The dirty tricks have begun," said Frank Keel, spokesman for the Dougherty campaign, who sees a conspiracy. "Democratic State Rep. candidate Christian DiCicco is the poll watcher," Keel said. "Coincidence? We don't think so."
One reader wrote: I got to my polling place before 7 a.m.; 2nd ward, 27th division: as the polls were opening, one of two machines for my division was malfunctioning: electrical problem. Hmmmm....isn't Dougherty an electrician?
In the city's Spring Garden section, home to State Sen. Vincent Fumo, both machines were down at St. Andrews Lithuananian Church at 19th and Wallace. Voters grumbled when they learned their provisional ballots would not be counted tonight.
Rendell, Nutter and the "100 Mayors". That may work in Pennsylvania but in the nation people are waiting and voting for Unity and Guts. If Hillary had guts she would of ran in 2004.— Tanksleyd
omba name is not on some ballot what the hell is going on this can not be happening people we must stand up and be heard .— dru- I went to vote at 7:30am and one of the machines was broken. This was in Delaware County, at a different polling place than what is mentioned above.— daisygarden34
- MontoCo suburbs - 7:30AM 10 minute wait due to one machine out - very unusual for us - Hmmm.....— maildls
- It appears Hillary and her Republican Bunch are screwing with the electorate once again. We, the people, should demand an investigation into the Dirty Tricks and suspend the election, pending everyone getting their vote recorded, by mail or other means. Enough of the Bush error politics; Hillary has completed her transition into a Republican.— jvwheel
- Voting at ward 40 divison 30, actual sign you in, check ID poll workers were handing out pieces of papers with all of the candidates listed, and 2 candidates highlighed with yellow highlighter. Those 2 candidates were Dougherty and Obama. so, bash Hillary all you want, if she is being "dirty" she's not alone.— LeeBird
- Any concerns about ballot fraud or poll irregularities can be reported to the Committee of Seventy @ 866-OUR-VOTE— diligentdogs
- Hmmm, paper can't malfunction, can it? Pennsylvania, please do something about those infernal Republican voting machines before November, will you? Here in Oregon, with mail-in paper ballots, there hasn't been a whiff of scandal in all the years we've been doing it.— portwes
- ALL PEOPLE ENGAGED IN EXPOSING VOTER FRAUD SHOULD SEE http://www.uncountedthemovie.com/trailer.html BUY THE DVD AND SHARE IT. ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN STOLEN EVERY TIME SINCE 2000. LET'S GET REAL AND GET IT OUT!— Aiconart
The Inauguration: Jan. 20 blog brings you coverage of President-elect Barack Obama's transition into office.
It's written by political journalists from the Philadelphia Inquirer. Send us your comments -- and news tips -- at this address.
Thomas Fitzgerald joined The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2000, and has covered Harrisburg as well as city, state and national politics for the newspaper. He was a “boy on the bus” in the 2004 presidential campaign and during primary contests in 2000 and 1996.
Nathan Gorenstein has covered politics and government in the city, state and nation for the Inquirer. He's worked in the city hall bureau, had a stint on the business desk, and once covered the suburbs. After serving as assistant regional editor, he was named editor of the "Politics" web site.
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