The 2020 election has finally arrived, and, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a number of states have given voters the option of mailing in their ballots or voting absentee. If you’re able to drop off your ballot at a designated location or postmark it by the deadline established in your state instead of waiting in a line full of people, medical experts strongly recommend doing so. “All politics and controversy aside, from an infectious-disease standpoint, if you mail in your ballot, you are less likely to be exposed to infection,” Chad Sanborn, MD, a pediatric infectious-disease specialist at Kidz Medical Services in Florida, told POPSUGAR.
However, it’s important that you make your voice heard in this election, regardless of the laws in your state. So, if your best or only option is to cast your ballot in person at your polling place, here are some steps you can take to keep yourself as safe as possible.
Related: 5 Things to Know Before Heading to the Polls, Especially If You're a First-Time Voter
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Pack Your Bag With Essentials
Anthony Barile, MD, infectious-disease medical director at Health First in Florida, explained that there are things you can bring with you to ensure you avoid germs as much as possible. For example, he recommends contacting your polling location to ask if you can bring your own black pen or stylus for the voting machine. “If you can, make sure these items are part of your essentials when you go to vote,” Dr. Barile told POPSUGAR. “The less shared surfaces or items you have to touch, the better.”
And, of course, hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol should be in your bag at all times, and Election Day is no exception. “Use [hand sanitizer] after touching surfaces like the voting machine, pens, or door handles,” Dr. Barile said.
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Try to Avoid Peak Times
If possible, Dr. Sanborn recommends avoiding the “prime hours” of first thing in the morning before work and late in the day after work. “Each voting precinct will be different depending on part of the country, population density, and demographics,” Dr. Sanborn told POPSUGAR. “As far as infection risk goes, you don’t want to be at the polling place when everyone else is.”
Plan ahead by asking around about which times are typically the busiest at your polling location. If you can, go during “off” hours when there are fewer people and shorter lines.
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Wear Protective Eyewear
“Since COVID-19 has the ability to spread by aerosol transmission and respiratory droplets, being in the vicinity of an infected person can actually result in transmission through the eyes,” Kevin Lee, MD, eye physician and surgeon from the Golden Gate Eye Associates within the Pacific Vision Eye Institute, told POPSUGAR. “For instance, if someone who has the coronavirus sneezes, the droplets can actually enter through one’s eyes.”
For this reason, Dr. Lee recommends wearing glasses as a protective barrier or shield from respiratory droplets.
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Wear a Mask, and Practice Social Distancing
“Do not go to vote unless you wear a mask,” Dr. Barile said. “Abide by social-distancing measures, and stay at least six feet apart from others.” Even if you can avoid voting at peak hours, it’s likely you’ll still be around other people at the polls. Dr. Barile explained that this is when safety measures are most important because it’s up to all of us to do our part to help limit the spread of COVID-19.
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Minimize Contact as Much as Possible
Makeda Robinson, MD, an infectious-disease specialist at Stanford University, explained that, in order to minimize the exchange of germs, you should present your ID by holding it up visibly or placing it in a neutral area where it doesn’t need to be passed back and forth between you and the poll worker. “You can even politely tell the poll worker what you are doing so they know you’re trying to stay safe,” Dr. Robinson told POPSUGAR.
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Be Efficient
“If you’re voting in person, you want to do everything you can to make your voting process safe and efficient,” Dr. Barile said. In order to reduce the amount of time you spend at your polling site, make sure you have all your necessary documents in order ahead of time and complete any registration forms before going to vote.
Additionally, “review and fill out a sample ballot at home before voting,” Dr. Barile said. “By doing this, you’re familiarizing yourself with the ballot and can vote quickly and efficiently.”
