Applicant(s) need to update the answer, but the system is showing a red circle over the question and not letting the user update the answer. 

As per the link question functionality, the master/parent questions get locked when the applicant or the recommender submits the post-acceptance or the request section to avoid any incorrect data from the applicant and the recommender's end.

Please release the section to the applicant so that the applicant can update the answer and request back the section to the recommender(s) with the updated information. To do so, click here and follow the Section Release help guide