DENVER -- Tuesday's primary elections in the state were not without problems. There were troubles with the new electronic voting machines, whether it was election workers not knowing how to use it or with phone lines that were down.

Some voters at one voting center were told to leave and come back later after the Qwest phone and Internet lines went down.

Charlie Sparks showed up at Corona Presbyterian right when the polls were supposed to open but he couldn't vote right away.

"They were telling me right outside, 'Well, there's no sense in going in because the computers are down,' is what they were saying," Sparks said. "So they were having a Tai Chi class. I went over and did that."

When he returned, there was some progress.

"They said, 'Now, if you get in there and you push some buttons and it isn't working, don't vote,'" Sparks said.

The Denver Election Commission said all things considered, there weren't major problems.

"As you would expect when you have 47 sites going live all at the same time, there were a couple of minor hitches," said Alton Dillard, with the Denver Elections Commission.

"I got into different districts than what I am, so I got to vote for people that I'm not supposed to. Got to vote in a contested district that I'm not a member of," said voter Dave Misner, laughing.

The new machines do have at least one fan. Denver's mayor seemed to have no problem with them.

"In all honesty, I think it makes it more enjoyable," said Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.

And those who did have problems seemed to take it all in stride.

"Well, everybody should know when they buy new computers there's always bugs. Every computer I've ever used had bugs in it. So, we're just going to have to see how the bugs go away," said voter Cathy Donohue.

The election commission said after all the glitches were quickly worked out, everyone who came out to vote was able to cast their ballot. It just took little longer for some.

Election commissioner Susan Miller said that there were similar issues in Jefferson County. One of the polling places in that county had to open late because of confusion about how to run the new electronic machines.

Secretary of State Gigi Dennis said the primary election ran smoothly, with only minor issues arising.

"Overall, the election across the state is running very smooth," Dennis said. "Some minor issues cropped up early this morning as election judges opened the polls. However, those issues are typical with any election,” Dennis said.