The Richmond Times Dispatch reports on the extension of the voter registration deadline when the voter registration system failed to perform and allow citizens to register online.

Virginia Department of Elections officials said the website problems were caused by an unprecedented traffic surge and online voting promotions by Facebook and Google. An unknown number of people who tried to register online ahead of Monday’s deadline were met by a “File not found” error message.

The Republicans discussed past hearings on the issue and responded to the failure:

In a statement, House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell, R-Stafford, said Republican leaders accept the court’s order but added, “The entire episode was unfortunate, predictable and avoidable.” “Local registrars attempted to warn the McAuliffe administration this was going to happen, and the General Assembly’s Privileges and Elections Committees attempted to bring these issues to light at a joint hearing last week,” Howell said. “In both cases the Department of Elections brushed aside legitimate concerns instead of taking the prompt action that was needed.” Howell called on McAuliffe to consider a leadership shake-up at the elections agency and said the legislature should order a review when it reconvenes next year.