Tips to stay safe while voting in-person during the pandemic

Voting

It’s safe to say nothing has been typical in 2020 and that includes the voting process. While many people are choosing to mail their ballots this year, many others will still vote in-person.

Kentucky and Indiana are both offering early in-person voting this year, which helps make the process a little safer. Spreading the in-person voting process out over several weeks will help minimize large crowds and long wait times.

Coronavirus is most commonly spread person to person through respiratory droplets produced primarily when someone infected with the virus cough, sneezes or talks. You may also contract the virus by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it, and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

If you’re heading to the polls in-person to cast your ballot, have a plan to make sure the process is as efficient as possible. To minimize your time inside the location, decide your voting choices ahead of time.

Here are some tips for staying healthy while voting:

  • Wear a mask.
  • Stay at least 6-feet away from other people.
  • Bring hand sanitizer with you and use it often.
  • Vote during off-peak times to avoid crowds and long wait times.
  • Have any items you need, like photo ID, easily accessible so you don’t spend time looking for it when you’re inside.
  • Determine your voting choices beforehand to limit the amount of time you’re inside the location.
  • If the voting location is busy when you get there, wait in your car until the crowd gets smaller.
  • Wash your hands when you leave the voting location.

If you feel sick and would like to be tested for COVID-19, UofL Health is offering free COVID-19 testing at several locations. To sign up, click here.

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Article by:

Tony Weaver, M.D.

Tony Weaver, M.D., specializes in internal medicine and geriatrics for UofL Physicians – Primary Care Associates, in Shelbyville, Ky. Dr. Weaver recently joined the Shelbyville practice and comes from Morehead where he was on the medical staff at St. Claire Regional Medical Center, and he served as an associate professor for the University of Kentucky Healthcare. He is a graduate of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and completed his residency at the Medical College of Virginia.

All posts by Tony Weaver, M.D.
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