Voting During COVID-19

By Diego A. Sanchez, CSP, ASP, CHST, OHST

Here in Florida, early voting has started. Take advantage of early voting to avoid the larger crowds expected on Election Day (Nov 3rd). Depending on what area of Florida you live in, there may be shorter lines at your polling place than on election day. Regardless if you vote early or on Election Day, remember to take precautions during this time. This is imperative to safeguard yourself and your loved ones from the virus.

Continue to maintain social distancing when you are in line to vote; stay at least 6 feet away from people that are not in your household. If someone else gets too close to you, please remind them to step back. Most places will have floor stickers every 6 feet to remind people where to stand. Wear your mask properly; the voting place may not let you in the building if you are not wearing a mask or not wearing it properly.

You might want to take a black or blue pen with you to use when you cast your ballot. Voting places will have plenty on hand and will most likely sanitize them after each use. However, this is a good practice just in case.

In addition, while most voting places will have hand sanitizer, take some extra with you, just in case. Ensure you sanitize your hands as soon as you are done voting and are out of the voting place. Remember that you want to keep all your loved ones safe as well.

If you are waiting to vote on Election Day, remember that the same rules will apply, and there will most likely be a longer time in line. If you don’t feel comfortable wearing a mask for long periods of time or don’t want to risk being in a crowd, there are other options to voting in person, like mail-in ballots, absentee voting, or dropping off your ballot.

To find Early Voting locations in Orange County, click here

To check the status of your Vote-by-Mail ballot, click here

Finally, please follow all the guidance and instructions from the poll workers regardless of which day you decide to vote.