Computer issues cause delays at one Burke precinct; voter intimidation reported in Morganton

Because of computer issues, the voting precinct at Pilot Mountain on U.S. Highway 64 in Morganton will stay open until 8 p.m. tonight.

Director of Elections for Burke County Kenny Rhyne said the Pilot Mountain precinct had computer issues Tuesday morning and a sworn affidavit was filed with the North Carolina State Board of Elections about the delay.

In an emergency called meeting, the North Carolina State Board has ordered the Pilot Mountain precinct to remain open until 8 p.m. Tuesday. All other precincts will close at 7:30 p.m.

"This will be the only precinct with extended hours," Rhyne said.

Rhyne said there were some people who left the precinct and went to the Burke County Board of Elections to vote a provisional ballot. He said provisional ballots will be approved.

He said there was an issue with a printer at another precinct but that was quickly resolved.

Rhyne said there was an incident of voter intimidation around midday at the precinct at the CoMMA Performing Arts Center in Morganton. He said the chief precinct judge wrote up an incident report about a man in the precinct telling some Hispanic voters that they weren't supposed to be voting and they were illegal.

Rhyne said the man was told to vote and leave the precinct, which he did.

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