Report: Polls in Berks Co. to stay open until 9 p.m. because of ‘widespread problems’

The polls in Berks County will stay open until 9 p.m. — one hour past the usual 8 p.m. closing time — because of “widespread” problems with the county’s new voting machines, according to a published report.

A Berks County judge issued the order on Tuesday, which came in response to a petition jointly filed by attorneys representing the local Democratic and Republican parties, according to WFMZ-TV in Allentown.

Anyone in line by 8 p.m. will cast a traditional ballot. Voters who arrive at a polling location after 8 p.m., but by 9 p.m., must vote by provisional ballot, as required by federal law, the station reported. The order does not affect the county’s two drop boxes for mail-in ballots. Those drop boxes still will be closed at 8 p.m., according to WFMZ-TV.