Long Island election officials push back on voting machine 'conspiracy' theories
The concerns surfaced following News 12's reporting on new voting machines being used in both counties this year.
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As early voting continues across Nassau and Suffolk counties, some voters are voicing concerns about the security and integrity of the election process.
The concerns surfaced following News 12's reporting on new voting machines being used in both counties this year. Social media users have posted a variety of claims and suspicions about the equipment and the voting process.
One commenter, Mike on "X," posted "pre-programmed to favor Democratic candidates?" Another commenter, Tiffany Morales, claimed on Facebook "Yeah, that "TOUCH SCREEN" system reserved JUST FOR SUFFOLK is ensuring that Republicans get the vote when DEMOCRAT is selected." A third commenter, Stephen, wrote, "Let the conspiracy theories begin."
Election officials in both counties strongly reject those claims and insist the voting process is secure.
The Nassau and Suffolk County Boards of Elections note that both agencies operate under a bipartisan structure, with Democrats and Republicans sharing equal authority and oversight throughout the election process. Each county has both a Republican and Democratic elections commissioner.
"All the equipment, ballots, everything is under lock and key," said Nassau County Republican Board of Elections Commissioner James Moriarty. "Each side has a key, so it's not as though one side can go in and do something without the other. So everybody works in a cooperative manner."
Officials also addressed concerns about Suffolk County's new touch-screen voting system. As previously reported by News 12, voters using the machines still receive a paper ballot generated from their selections. Voters can review that ballot before finalizing and submitting it.
Election officials further emphasized that the machines are not connected to the internet.
In a joint statement, Suffolk County's Democratic and Republican elections commissioners John Alberts and Erin McTiernan said, "A bipartisan team oversees the process from the very start from checking voter registration forms to reviewing absentee ballot requests and finally, programming the voting machines that are used during Early Voting and Election Day."
Nassau County Democratic Board of Elections Commissioner James Scheuerman said the bipartisan structure helps ensure accountability.
"Bipartisan agency means there's Democrats watching Republicans, Republicans watching Democrats to make sure everything is fair," he said. "I think it's the best way to run an election."
Officials also outlined security measures that take place after voting ends. Once polls close on Election Day, police in both counties take possession of memory sticks from each polling location and transport them to predetermined upload sites. Those locations are monitored by Board of Elections staff members from both major political parties.
