Signs warning voters to take precautions against COVID-19 will be at every Warren County polling place on Election Day this November, but following those guidelines will largely be up to each …
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Signs warning voters to take precautions against COVID-19 will be at every Warren County polling place on Election Day this November, but following those guidelines will largely be up to each individual, said County Clerk Denise Stotler.
Stotler is the chief election official for Warren County. She said voters will be asked to obey social distancing directions and wear masks, but that she can’t force anyone to wear a face covering.
“Everybody is allowed to vote. I can’t tell them ‘You have to wear a mask,’” Stotler said.
Instead, voters are being asked to respect other health-related instructions from election workers, such as only allowing a certain number of people inside at a time. Those policies will be up to the workers at each individual polling place, Stotler said.
Voters are also asked to bring their own pen if they can, to reduce the number of people handling the same writing utensils.
The election workers themselves are being provided with masks, face shields, gloves and cleaning supplies, and have been directed to put those to use throughout the day. However, Stotler acknowledged that it will be up to the election workers to follow through on that guidance.
“I can tell them how important it is, but I can’t be there to make it happen,” Stotler commented. She said several election judges have taken the initiative to help rearrange voting precincts for social distancing.
A huge number of people are expected to turnout to vote in November, making the arrangement of polling places and following health guidelines potentially consequential. Stotler said more than 1,600 Warren County residents have already voted absentee or requested a mail-in ballot.
The clerk’s office normally considers absentee participation a predictor for Election Day turnout, and the current numbers are almost four times higher than the absentee votes in the August primary elections.
“This is a hyped-up election,” Stotler commented.
Stotler believes the high absentee and mail-in numbers are also from people with potential health risks choosing to avoid standing in line on Election Day.
Stotler asked anyone who chooses to vote on Election Day Nov. 3 be extra patient and cooperate with election workers. Anyone who is in line at their polling place by 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
