Overview
- Social media posts from voters in multiple states have shown touchscreen ballot‑marking devices appearing to select the wrong candidate, prompting local investigations.
- County and state election officials and the Center for Election Innovation and Research say most incidents are due to user error or improperly calibrated touchscreens rather than deliberate tampering.
- Many of the reports involve ExpressVote ballot‑marking devices made by Election Systems & Software, which says it has not been made aware of any widespread defect this cycle.
- A widely shared video purporting to show a 2026 machine switching a vote was traced to a 2018 incident and attributed to calibration issues, not coordinated fraud.
- Officials stress that devices produce a paper record, are tested before use, and are subject to post‑election audits, and they advise voters to reselect choices, seek poll‑worker help, and replace any incorrect printed ballot; the viral reports still risk eroding trust and warrant continued local oversight.