Story perspectives

Hermitage voting machines defaulted to Blackburn, officials say

By Drooid · Oct 23, 2026, 6:25 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Stella Parton said her Hermitage Library voting machine defaulted to Marsha Blackburn, requiring three corrections.
State officials reported the system has three verification steps and only one matching complaint among about 400,000 early votes.
Mark Goins urged voters who notice irregularities to inform a poll worker or county election commission before casting the ballot.
Other voters on Facebook and X reported machines repeatedly changed their choices to Republican candidates, forcing multiple attempts.
A poll cited shows Marsha Blackburn leading Jerri Green by 12 points in the Tennessee governor's race.

History

Historical Context

The 2000 United States presidential election, decided by the Florida recount in November 2000, exposed critical flaws in voting machines and ballot design. Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris certified results after a 5,000-vote margin, while the US Supreme Court halted recounts in Bush v. Gore, 7-2. Today's Tennessee voters reporting machines that switch selections to Republican candidates echo the 2000 malfunction concerns, prompting officials to demand multiple verification steps. The 2000 crisis spurred the 2002 Help America Vote Act, mandating paper trails and audits, a precedent shaping current calls for transparent ballot processes.

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Story summary

Stella Parton said her Hermitage Library voting machine defaulted to Marsha Blackburn, requiring three corrections.
State officials reported the system has three verification steps and only one matching complaint among about 400,000 early votes.
Mark Goins urged voters who notice irregularities to inform a poll worker or county election commission before casting the ballot.
Other voters on Facebook and X reported machines repeatedly changed their choices to Republican candidates, forcing multiple attempts.
A poll cited shows Marsha Blackburn leading Jerri Green by 12 points in the Tennessee governor's race.

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