US Elections 2020: How to Vote Safely During the Pandemic

With over 2 million cases of coronavirus gripping the United States, the pandemic has caused plenty of disruption to primaries and the election itself. With experts predicting that the virus is here for the long-run, it isn’t possible to just postpone the election. Instead, states will need to think about how to make voting safer. Voters can also equip themselves with knowledge on how to vote safely during the pandemic. There are several options available to voters, and several precautions they can take. 

How to Vote Safely in the Upcoming Election

The first thing to do to vote safely is to vote by mail if you can. The New York Times reports that voters in most states will be able to vote by mail. In fact, five states are only accepting mail-in ballots right now. California Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced he planned to send all 20.6 million registered voters in the state mail-in ballots for the upcoming November election, making the state the first to change its voting structure in response to the pandemic. However, people will still be able to vote in-person in California if they so choose to, according to CNN. 

The New York Times reports that over two-dozen other states, including Washington D.C, will allow voters to request a mail-in ballot for the November election. Other states will allow for mail-in votes, but voters will need to offer up a “valid excuse” to receive a mail-in ballot. Some states will accept concerns over the pandemic as a valid reason to get a mail-in ballot, however. A federal judge ruled that Texan voters were eligible to claim absentee ballots under the “disability” provision in the state. Texas republicans argue this could lead to voter fraud, but there is no evidence to support that claim. 

If you can’t vote by mail – or don’t want to – then you should still be able to vote in-person. You should take some precautions if you plan on voting at a physical polling station. You should take the chance to vote early if you have the option to, as early voting reduces the total number of people going to the polls on any given day. 

Some states allow voters to vote from the roadside instead of entering the place, so people can vote without having to leave their cars. Check ahead to see if your local election commission or state election commission will let you partake in curbside voting. 

Follow Social Distancing

Whether you plan on voting on election day or earlier with early voting, make sure that you keep six feet of space between yourself and other people when voting. Large groups are still at risk, and so you should do what you can to stay away from others. You can get coronavirus from breathing in the same air as an infected person or from contaminated surfaces – these are the two main infection vectors. 

The CDC says the virus has an easier time spreading through interpersonal contact than through contaminated surfaces, but it is still possible. Don’t forget that doctors are still learning about the virus, and the latest guidelines can change daily. Wash your hands before and after voting and use hand sanitizer if you have it. 

The most important thing you can do to vote safely is to be mindful of different surfaces that you touch. In particular, avoid touching your face as much as you can, especially if it’s been a while since you washed your hands. It takes a little effort and mindfulness, but you can do it. The virus may also contaminate clothing, such as if someone coughs on you or sneezes on you. Don’t forget to wash your clothes after you get home from voting. 

Even with more states opening up again, the current data recommends against doing this. This is why you should do what you can to keep yourself and those around you safe; wear a mask/face covering to prevent the disease from spreading and maintain social distancing practices. 

Take Personal Responsibility for Yourself

Some states are lifting social distance requirements, which is giving people a false sense that the virus is going away. This is likely to make people think they can freely socialize again when they should be sticking to some standard of social distancing. States continue to find ways to keep voters safe, but a little personal responsibility goes a long way in this kind of situation.