Strategies for ensuring safety while casting ballots during a health crisis
Out and About: Voting Safely in the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election
In these challenging times, with the U.S. presidential election looming and the world grappling with a pandemic, it's crucial to know how to exercise your democratic rights and stay healthy. Here's some advice to help you navigate the polls this fall while keeping yourself and others safe.
Remember, voting is vital — it decides the direction our country takes in areas such as economics, healthcare, and foreign policy. This year, the election has an added layer of excitement because it'll occur during a global health crisis. Let's break down some smart moves to make your voting experience seamless and secure.
Casting Your Ballot
While efforts to maintain clean polling stations and implement safety procedures are primarily in the hands of poll workers and election officials, there are many precautions you can take to stay safe. Remember:
In-Person Voting
First, examine your health before heading to the polling station. If you're feeling well and show no symptoms, you may choose to vote in person. Here are some tips to ensure a smooth voting experience:
- Prepare Ahead: Check that you have all the necessary documentation for voting in your area and fill in any forms in advance if possible. Keep in mind that doing so may help eliminate unnecessary delays and save time standing in line.
- Go Early: To avoid long lines, think about voting early if that option is available in your jurisdiction. For those choosing to vote on election day, visiting the polling station during off-peak hours, such as mid-morning, might reduce waiting time.
Find more information on voting procedures, required documents, and IDs here.
Extra Mile: Along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) safety measures, practice some additional precautions:
- Keep Distance: Maintain at least 6 feet of distance from others when standing in line and wear a mask or face covering in public settings, especially when indoors and in crowded places. Remember that children younger than 2 and people with difficulty breathing should not wear masks or face coverings.
- Sanitize Regularly: carry hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content and wash your hands before and after entering the polling station, if possible. Good hand hygiene helps kill viruses and harmful bacteria.
Voting by Mail-In Ballot
Mail-in voting is another option that allows you to cast your ballot from the comfort of your home. However, check with your local or state election office to confirm if this is an option in your area. Regardless of how you choose to cast your vote, remember to follow proper practices. For instance, if you decide to drop off a mail-in ballot in person, be in good health, wear a mask or face covering, and use hand sanitizer after touching any surfaces, like the mail slot.
Absentee Ballots
If you feel unwell or have recently felt sick, it's best to avoid going out to the polling station to protect your health and the health of others. In such cases, consider voting through an absentee ballot. Check if this is an option in your state and learn how it works here.
Health Matters
As we exercise our democratic right, it's important to recognize that voting rates vary across different population groups. According to recent research, white people are less likely to vote compared to Black, Latinx, and Asian American individuals. These racial and ethnic disparities may also impact access to quality healthcare. Research suggests that people with health issues are less likely to vote, but it remains unclear why this might be the case.
Why Vote?
One theory proposes that people experiencing poor health might feel more socially isolated, which could negatively affect their motivation to participate in elections. However, voting in elections can have far-reaching effects on health policy and access to adequate healthcare. For example, this year's U.S. elections focus on complex healthcare-related issues, such as the future of Medicare and the fate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Your vote can shape these debates and impact the quality of healthcare for years to come.
"We are at a crossroads in America with this election. The impact of the results will be huge. We need a president who will unite us around the fact that good quality healthcare is a right that shouldn't depend on how much money you make, what you look like, or where you live."
- Dr. Angela Bell
Stay informed and vote smart! Make what's important to you known and keep yourself and others safe this election season.
Want to learn more about your voting options? Check out VoteAmerica, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to increasing voter turnout. Click here to learn more about registering to vote, voting by mail, requesting an absentee ballot, or finding your polling place.
Stay safe, and let your voice be heard!
- In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and the upcoming U.S. presidential election, maintaining both public health and democratic rights is crucial.
- While various viral infections, including COVID-19, circulate, practicing general hygiene and social distancing measures, such as wearing masks and sanitizing hands, is essential during in-person voting.
- Depending on your local laws, you may have the option to vote by mail-in ballot or absentee ballot if you wish to minimize your exposure to others during the election season.
- The health-and-wellness, foreign policy, and economic decisions made during the election involve various aspects of public life, making it vital for all citizens to participate in the voting process.
- In this critical election year, staying informed about the state of other viral infections, politics, and general news is essential for making thoughtful, well-informed decisions regarding your vote and public health.
