How has COVID-19 affected Election Day?

Increased early voting, younger poll workers and masks are the trend amid the COVID-19 crisis

Just as COVID-19 flipped 2020 on its head, typical Election Day processes have shifted as well. A record number of people are working to avoid the polls on Election Day by voting or mailing in their ballots ahead of time. And if you do plan to vote in person on Election Day, be sure to equip yourself with necessary safety precautions.

Early voting

With just days to go, more than 75 million people – or one-third of the registered voters – have voted nationwide, or 99% of the total 2016 early voting numbers. Illinois by Oct. 29 already soared past 2.76 million people voting early or by mail, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections. NPR suggested up to 70% of the votes this election could be cast by mail.

This is a significant increase overall because, according to Election Administration and Voting Survey data, more than 120 million Americans voted in the 2018 general elections, which was a turnout rate of 52% among the eligible voting population. The same data showed the 2018 general elections turnout increased in nearly all states when compared to 2014.

Though it’s become the most popular option this year, the last deadline is approaching quickly: online voter registration ended on Oct. 18, the deadline to request a mail-in ballot was Oct. 29, and the last day to vote early is Nov. 2, the final day before the election.

Even if you aren’t registered to vote, you can still vote on Election Day in Illinois. Illinois allows same-day registration and voting, all at your polling place. You will need a photo ID and proof of current address, such as a recent utility bill.

If you already have a mail-in ballot, be sure it is postmarked by Nov. 3, though it is suggested you do this and place it in the mail sooner, so that it is received by Nov. 17. The last day for election authorities to accept mailed ballots is Nov. 17, and anything received after that date will be rejected.

If you’re not sure what your local election authority is, or where you can early vote, use our tool here.

Poll workers

COVID-19 is not only keeping more people from voting in person, but also shrinking the typical poll worker pool. There is a shortage of poll workers across the nation.

Senior-age citizens generally make up the largest group of workers and volunteers on Election Day, but they are also one of the highest-risk age groups to contract the coronavirus, causing many to abandon their posts. According to the Election Assistance Commission, 58% of poll workers were 61 or older in the 2018 general election. Over one-quarter of them were 71 or older.

Illinois is allowing eligible U.S. citizens as young as 16 to serve as election judges and poll workers to avoid further shortages. Election judges and poll workers are essential for smooth election processes, helping people fill out correct ballots, managing long lines and keeping polling places clean and disinfected throughout the day.

Power the Polls is one organization working to recruit younger people to work this year’s election, with an original goal of signing up 250,000 new poll workers by Sept. 1. It nearly doubled its goal so far with nearly 500,000 poll workers signed up nationwide between ages 18 and 35.

If you’re interested in election positions still available in Illinois, click here.

Election Day

Despite the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, it’s still easy to vote in Illinois as you normally would. First, the ACLU of Illinois highlighted Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s new law, Senate Bill 1863, was passed to make this Nov. 3 a state holiday, hoping to make voting conditions easier and safer during the pandemic. It also expanded early voting hours beginning on Oct. 19, allowed for curbside voting for all voters, and ensured each election authority had a universal voting site where anyone in the jurisdiction can vote on Election Day.

The Illinois Department of Public Health also established guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19 at polling places on Election Day. For starters, every local election authority is required to develop a written COVID-19 prevention plan, including:

• Cleaning and disinfection protocols, including voter access to hand sanitizer
• Appropriate physical distancing through traffic flow guidelines and placement of physical barriers where distancing is not possible
• Ensuring workers do not have symptoms of COVID-19, wear face coverings and abide by physical distancing rules
• Ensuring all voters wear face coverings and abide by physical distancing

To be extra safe, you can consult your local election authority before Election Day to ask any additional questions regarding safety expectations or rules.