The reporting errors were presumably a consequence of the results tapes not being programmed to a format that was compatible with state reporting requirements. Attempts to correct this issue appear to have created errors. The reporting errors did not consistently favor one party or candidate but were likely due to a lack of proper planning, a difficult election environment, and human error.
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The discrepancies did not affect the outcome of any of the elections, but they did add to a growing list of defeats for Trump’s election lies.
Tapes are used all the time for data storage, far more than discs.
Just to be clear, they look more like ADAT/VHS cassettes than they do those big spools of reel-to-reel you see in movies with old mainframes. Pretty sure the only people who use those tapes anymore are the computer museums with working examples on display.
I know it’s still in use but for long-term storage and not a daily driver. Seems rather odd to use tape at such an early stage in the process. Once the election is done and settled then sure, put it on tape and stow it.