Western legislators seek same-time poll closings

Western congressmen, angered by projections of President Reagan's 1980 victory before the voting even ended in their states, Tuesday urged passage of legislation to set same-time poll closings across the country.

But the head of the National Election Service, which supplies ballot results for the press, said resulting delays could undermine ballot security.

A University of Michigan study was quoted in testimony before the House Administration Committee. It said voter turnout in Western states, with later poll closing times, can be affected by the broadcast of projections and actual results in Eastern time zones.