{"id":117607,"date":"2020-10-14T02:02:51","date_gmt":"2020-10-14T09:02:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dherbs.com\/?p=117607"},"modified":"2022-04-14T00:53:33","modified_gmt":"2022-04-14T07:53:33","slug":"how-to-vote-safely-in-person-this-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dherbs.com\/articles\/how-to-vote-safely-in-person-this-year\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Vote Safely In Person This Year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
The United States presidential election is approaching and the world is in the middle of a pandemic. Because of COVID-19, voting by mail or dropping your mail-in ballot off at a polling station is highly encouraged. Come Election Day, the goal is to have minimal crowds at polling stations, but some people love the act of voting in person. People may not trust the mail or they feel a certain pride after voting at a polling station. If you feel the need to cast your ballot in person, there are things you can do to stay safe and protected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s important to exercise your democratic right to vote, as the people dictate which direction the country\u2019s healthcare system, economy, foreign and domestic policies, and more will go. Voting in person this year will depend on a variety of factors, including personal risk, the state of COVID-19 in your state\/region, and your ability to enforce practices that keep you safe at the polling station. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Assess The Risks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You need to evaluate whether it is safe for you to head to a polling station to cast your vote this year. According to epidemiologists, it\u2019s best to establish how the virus is spreading in your area before you vote in person. If it\u2019s spreading like wildfire, it may not be the best idea to head to a polling station. After determining the daily cases in your area, you have to consider your personal health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you have a pre-existing health condition? Are you a senior citizen? Do you even feel safe to wait around people at the polling station (because voting in person will definitely take longer this year)? It ultimately comes down to how comfortable and confident you are in your health and your ability to assess the COVID-19 situation in your area. All of that said, Dr. Annabelle de St. Maurice, MPH, says that voting at your local polling place is relatively low risk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n