Virginia's Voting Dilemmas

It seems Virginia is having widespread trouble, according to reports from the Election Protection Coalition comprised of over a dozen rights groups. Touch screen machines have been experiencing glitches, and ballot-scanner paper jams are creating problems in Richmond, Alexandria, Newport News, Chesapeake, and Vienna. Additionally, some polling places such as Virginia Beach were not open on time, leaving voters waiting. The weather has also added to voters' frustrations. Apparently touch-screen machines are very sensitive to the water on voters' hands from the rain, causing machines to break down. Water stains on traditional ballots have also rendered these votes illegible. Additionally, some machines couldn't be operated due to failure to supply extension cords to the machines. It seems to me that whoever is in charge of such polling locations should feel embarrassed for not recognizing such fundamental problems. They have had two years to organize the orchestration of election day; how do you not understand how to open your voting place on time, or fail to provide resources to operate the machinery? Even if such a simple problem arises, one should plan to have volunteers take care of these hang-ups. Such lack of organization left some voters in the rain for up to 8 hours. 

But beyond dilemmas at the voting booths, Virginia (along with Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Maryland) has experienced underhanded tactics as well. There are reports of automated phone calls with incorrect voting locations. Hopefully this will not deter too many voters from exercising their basic democratic right.