Elections officials detail McHenry County election problems

The Illinois State Board of Elections says primary election problems at McHenry County polling places might have led to some voters not casting their ballots.

The state election officials’ report was requested by state Rep. David McSweeney. The Barrington Hills Republican says the March 15 problems were “an absolute fiasco.”

One major issue was related to electronic poll books. The report says one or more memory sticks used to install a voter database had a defective file. The defects weren’t discovered until after the books were sent to polling places, which caused delays.

The report also says communication was a problem, with callers having trouble reaching election judges and a public hotline.

County Clerk Mary McClellan says she’s working on solutions.