Explained: FACT FOCUS: False accusations and unverified claims quickly spread about Election Day voting

A ballot-scanning breakdown occurred in Westchester County, New York, delaying vote counting though voting continued.

ballot-scanning breakdown

A malfunction in machines that read and tally paper ballots, requiring manual handling instead.

election judge

A temporary poll worker trained to manage all aspects of voting at a polling place.

emergency bags

Containers used to securely hold ballots that couldn't be scanned, for later counting.

projection

A media outlet's call declaring a likely winner or outcome before all votes are officially counted.

polling place changes

Notifications about where voters are supposed to go to cast their ballots.