Illinois Department of Public Health
Provides Guidance for State Polling Locations
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[September 15, 2020]
In preparation for the 2020 elections, the
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has issued guidance to
protect the safety and health of voters as they cast ballots at
polling locations throughout the state during early voting and
Election Day. The “COVID-19 Guidance for Election Polling Places”
guidance can be found here.
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“Voting is a right and a privilege,” said IDPH
Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “While the safest way to cast a ballot
this year is voting by mail, we are and will continue to take the
necessary steps to ensure that Illinoisans can exercise their right
to vote in person, in the safest possible environments during this
COVID-19 pandemic.”
In accordance with the guidance, all local election authorities will
be required to develop written COVID-19 prevention plans for all
polling sites within their jurisdiction. Plans will contain specific
COVID-19 safety and training instructions along with the names of
individuals responsible for implementation of the plan.
Election authorities are being strongly encouraged to relocate polls
previously housed in long-term care facilities and senior living
residences to protect voters and residents – particularly those who
are most vulnerable.
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All locations will have signage to encourage voters
to wear masks and maintain a distance of 6 feet, while inside the
polling places. If voters show up to a polling place without one,
election authorities are required to offer them a face covering
outside of the polling place. Polling booths will be set up at least
6 feet apart and foot traffic will be one-directional.
Additional recommended preventative actions in the guidance include
using Plexiglas barriers between election officials and voters,
large print instructions to facilitate communication, routine
cleaning of frequently touched surfaces, and polling place personnel
to remind voters to maintain physical distance. While election
officials are prohibited from preventing a voter without a face
covering from casting a ballot, the guidance requires they take
every reasonable action to separate noncompliant voters, ensuring
they are socially distanced from those voters who are compliant.
[Illinois Office of Communication and
Information] |