WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A top election official warned of a potential "tsunami" on Election Day because of serious problems facing overburdened state and local officials preparing for an unprecedented turnout at the polls November 4.
Election officials say they expect very long and often slow-moving lines on Election Day.
Doug Lewis, executive director of the National Association of Election Officials, told a House panel Wednesday that he is reminded of what Hurricane Ike did to Galveston as he looks at the potential for election disaster.
"Galveston knew what was coming. They did everything they could, but they were overwhelmed," he said.
Lewis and top election officials from Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia all warned members of two House subcommittees that the lack of resources, lack of trained poll workers and new mandated -- but untested -- voting procedures, combined with waves of new voters, could cause havoc.
They all predicted most voters could expect at the least very long and often slow-moving lines.
Lewis said election officials continue to be overloaded with complicated new requirements for checking voters at the polls -- yet on average, receive about three hours of training.
The election officials placed some of the burden for preparations on voters -- insisting they should be prepared, be certain of their registration, know where to go and know what to expect and what identification to have.
The election officials also urged members of Congress to avoid highly inflammatory partisan allegations, saying voters must have confidence in the integrity of the voting system.
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