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COVID-19 will present some unique challenges for Election Day 2020 on Nov. 3.
To ensure the safety of voters and election officials, some of the usual polling locations will not be available – schools and some churches, for example. And because more people are expected to use the Vote By Mail option, fewer locations may be available. Plus, the lack of poll workers will likely cut down on the number of polling stations. Expect a mailing from the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections to notify where you can vote in person.
Recruiting sufficient numbers of poll workers is a major challenge this year. In the past, many of those workers were older adults, who now may feel uncomfortable spending a day at a voting location.
To help pick up the slack, Ohio is recruiting professionals such as accountants and lawyers to serve as election officials. The Accountancy Board of Ohio and the Supreme Court of Ohio have ruled that CPAs and attorneys can earn Continuing Education credits for serving as precinct officials on Election Day.
Younger voters, college students, perhaps those voting for the first time are also encouraged to consider working at the polls. It can be a learning experience. Watch democracy in action. See how the process works at the grassroots level.
Secretary of State Frank LaRose says Ohio needs 35,000 poll workers. If you can spend Tuesday, Nov. 3 helping to ensure that your neighbors can vote safely and efficiently, please sign up. Poll workers can earn up to $275 for the day.
The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections will provide protective equipment such as face masks and hand sanitizer. All polling locations will be marked for social distancing. Poll workers attend a two-hour training meeting the day before the election.
To apply or to learn more about the responsibilities, go to boe.cuyahogacounty.us or to the Ohio Secretary of State’s web site, ohiosos.gov.
