Test votes inflated an Ohio county’s early election tally
A real early report showed more votes than ballots in some races. The county said it had left test votes in the reporting system for one precinct. Officials said the error did not change who won any race.
The viral claim
Vote totals higher than the number of ballots cast in Wyandot County show that extra votes were counted in the election.
How we reached the verdict
AFP and Lead Stories checked the early figures and the county’s explanation. The screenshots show a real mismatch in the initial report. The county traced it to figures from a practice election that were still in the system. The screenshots show the reporting error, but they do not show that anyone cast extra ballots.
Sources
- Wyandot County Board of Elections · Primary evidence
- AFP Fact Check · Reporting
- Lead Stories · Reporting