Election Day tracker: Ballot counting machines fail in Story Co., votes will be hand counted instead

Good Election Day afternoon to you all, but especially to J. Ann Selzer, who could (depending on Iowa’s outcome) end up predicting something no other pollster did, and henceforth be crowned the queen of polling.

How are we feeling? Would hearing from an excited voter help?

@iowastartingline This Iowa City voter has an important message for those thinking of staying home today. #Iowa #IowaNews #IowaLife ♬ original sound – Iowa Starting Line

1. Voting today in Iowa? Here’s how to do it, what’s on your ballot, and a couple guest posts on what’s at stake this year. (Make sure you’re there by the time polls close at 8 p.m.—if you’re in line by then, you’re legally allowed to vote!)
   Did you forget to mail back your absentee ballot? Don’t worry, you can drop it off! Iowa law says your ballot must be at your county auditor’s office by the time the polls close. Put it in the drop box or take it right inside to an election official; either works!
2. Already voted? Here’s exactly how your vote gets counted in Iowa, and some freebies and discounts you can use today only!
3. Want to track results? Here’s how we’re covering elections at Iowa Starting Line and how The Associated Press declares winners across the country. (AP will have a brand-new results livestream tonight too, for us election geeks!)
4. Seeing an issue with voting? Tell us about it!
5. Trying to not be anxious? Here, have the latest Iowa Poll, showing some surprising leads from Democrats in our red state.

Issues voting

So far, most issues we’ve heard of—from long lines to poll workers mistakenly telling people they had the wrong precinct—have been temporary and/or cleared up.

But in Central Iowa’s Story County, voting machines that count ballots failed in several precincts, per the Des Moines Register. That will mean election officials will have to hand count those after the polls close, likely meaning a delay in results from that county.

Every voter that casts a ballot is still getting their vote counted, officials noted. The machines not working only means a hand count will be required at the end of the night.

@iowastartingline Some precincts in Davenport started 30 minutes late on Election Day because the county auditor brought the wrong machines. 🎥: @ZachOrenSmith #Iowa #IowaNews #IowaLife ♬ original sound – Iowa Starting Line

Iowa Poll shifts toward Harris

Saturday’s Iowa Poll showed Vice President Kamala Harris leading former President Donald Trump, 47% to 44% among likely voters—a lead that is still within the margin of error.

The bombshell was a surprise since neither candidate is treating Iowa as a particularly competitive state.

Harris is strong among Iowa independents and women. The poll showed independent women backing Harris by a 28-point margin and senior women supporting her by a 2-to-1 margin.

Third District shifts to Baccam

Analysts at Cook Political Report rated Central Iowa’s 3rd District a toss-up at the beginning of October. But by Nov. 2, the latest Iowa Poll conducted by J. Ann Selzer showed 48% of likely voters favored a Democrat over a Republican (41%).

“I’m feeling it now. I know you are, too,” said Lanon Baccam, the Democratic candidate running against Rep. Zach Nunn.

“And for that Iowa Poll that came out, that was exciting,” Baccam added. “I don’t think anyone in this room is surprised, because you all have been putting in the hard work day after day, making sure we can get into the position we are right now.”

First District widens for Bohannan

The Iowa Poll numbers are even more decisive in Southeast Iowa’s 1st District.

Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks now trails Democratic challenger Christina Bohannan, 53% to 37%.

What both candidates said during a recent debate is still one of our most-read stories on Starting Line.

Results and misinformation

In 2020, we had to wait four days to finally get the results from the presidential election.

If that happens again, we know that Trump is widely expected to prematurely declare victory regardless of the vote count, because he and his MAGA movement have spent years preparing to install him in office regardless of what the people want.

So if we’re waiting again for results tonight, don’t panic; know your history!

@iowastartinglineIf we don’t get election results immediately tonight, it is FINE, we have been here before.

♬ original sound – Iowa Starting Line