A viral video has stirred concerns on social media, showing a voter in Kentucky claiming that a voting machine malfunction prevented them from selecting Donald Trump as their choice. In the video, the individual demonstrates repeated attempts to select Trump on the screen, with the machine reportedly failing to register the input. Although the footage has drawn significant attention, with over a million views, the authenticity of the video remains unverified.
The video was reportedly filmed in Laurel County, Kentucky, where early voting began recently. According to the voter in the video, the machine allowed selections for other candidates, including Vice President Kamala Harris, but consistently failed to respond when attempting to vote for Trump. This claim prompted an investigation by county officials and Laurel County Clerk Tony Brown, who confirmed they had received a report of the incident. Brown stated that officials inspected the machine but were unable to replicate the error reported by the voter.
The machine in question is a “ballot marking device,” designed to print a paper ballot based on a voter’s selections. Following the incident, the device was taken out of service, pending further evaluation by the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office. Brown addressed the situation publicly, stating, “We had no complaints prior to or after the complaint. We have left the machine in full view and are awaiting further directions.” The Attorney General’s office also acknowledged the report, confirming that they were in communication with the county clerk’s office, who stated that “voter error” was likely involved and that the machine itself was functioning as expected.
Tony Brown’s response underscores efforts by Kentucky officials to maintain transparency and integrity in the voting process. He emphasized that voters should immediately alert poll workers if they encounter issues with a machine or their ballot. The Attorney General’s Office issued a similar reminder, encouraging Kentucky voters to report any election irregularities through their dedicated Election Fraud Hotline at (800) 328-8683.
Meanwhile, early voting has seen substantial participation across Kentucky as Election Day approaches on November 5. High-profile figures like Governor Andy Beshear and Secretary of State Michael Adams have already cast their votes and encouraged others to vote early to avoid potential lines on Election Day. “We have had occasional and sporadic instances of lines this morning when the polls opened,” said Adams. “That’s not unusual. Those lines have calmed down and are moving quickly.”
On social media, reactions to the video have been mixed, with some users expressing concerns over election security and others skeptical of the incident. Comments ranged from calls for immediate fixes to the machines to broader concerns about voting integrity. “It’s so rigged…has been for years if not decades,” one commenter speculated. Another added, “This needs to be fixed immediately.”
The use of ballot-marking devices has become increasingly common in recent elections, providing voters with a digital interface to select candidates, which then prints a physical ballot for verification. However, isolated technical issues have been reported nationwide, particularly in high-stakes elections. Election officials consistently work to ensure any malfunctioning machines are promptly addressed and replaced as needed.
As Kentucky’s Attorney General Russell Coleman reiterated, “Every Kentuckian can be confident in the security and integrity of our elections. Our dedicated team of investigators, prosecutors, and support staff is working tirelessly to protect every vote.” With just days left until Election Day, Kentucky officials remain vigilant in monitoring and responding to any reports of voting irregularities, aiming to assure voters of the reliability of the process.
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