A poll worker inspects a voting machine at a polling centre in New York. (EPA Images pic)NEW YORK: Ballot machines malfunctioned in a hotly contested House race in New York state Tuesday, prompting right-wing influencers to fling unfounded allegations of US midterms voter fraud even as local election officials insisted all ballots would be counted.

President Donald Trump and his allies have previously spread unproven claims about voting machines, alleging that they are faulty or unreliable.

The Westchester County Board of Elections said it was aware of an issue involving paper ballots that is preventing voting machines from accepting ballots at polling locations throughout the county.

The board "wants to reassure every voter that your vote matters, your ballot will be secure and your vote will be counted," with ballots instead placed in emergency bags, it said in a statement.