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* UPDATED x1 * A sizzling headline, but not a meaty story - yet

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* From a Tribune story entitled “Illinois counties rush to finalize early voting sites amid looming election deadlines, COVID-19 concerns”…

Illinois election authorities are confronting higher levels of pushback from polling sites wary of hosting this year because of concerns and closures related to COVID-19. With early voting scheduled to begin Oct. 19, and the deadline to finalize sites set for early September, election administrators don’t have much time left.

“It’s been difficult,” McHenry County Clerk Joseph Tirio said. “We have received word from a number of locations — and that changes from day to day — that no longer wish to participate.”

But, scroll down and it’s really not that dire in other counties surveyed. Will County has lost two early voting sites, but they’re both expected to come back into the fold. Lake County isn’t having serious problems. Cook County claimed securing sites was “a little bit more work” than in the past. College of DuPage has withdrawn as an early voting site, but that was the only problem mentioned.

If positivity rates, cases, hospitalizations and deaths continue to rise, then yeah, fear will definitely spread and we could see some very big problems.

Please, wear a mask, keep your distance, wash your hands and use actual common sense.

*** UPDATE *** Press release…

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.

“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.

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.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Aug 28, 20 @ 11:19 am

Comments

Vote…like you mean it.

Comment by Dotnonymous Friday, Aug 28, 20 @ 11:45 am
The hallmark of a functioning democracy is its ability to have elections.

Sizzle? Yep. Steak? Not right now.

The premise, today, that one million plus voters have requested ballots will ease the strain of locations, early in person voting will also take a chunk from the universe.

What can’t be acceptable is this idea of shrinking location numbers with voter anticipation far greater for Election Day.

This is a Def Con 3 type of signal, we’re away from peace and calm but still far away from alarm and worry.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 28, 20 @ 12:11 pm
Since most of the schools are empty - why aren’t we asking the districts to use their gyms and field houses? You could feasibly put multiple polling sites in there.

Comment by Dee Lay Friday, Aug 28, 20 @ 12:14 pm
- Dee Lay - Friday, Aug 28, 20 @ 12:14 pm:

The city and Cook could even try large vote centers like some other places (i.e. United Center, Wintrust, Sears Center, St. Xavier, Chicago State, etc.). Houston is doing one for the general. Kentucky had a huge one in Lexington for their primary.

Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Aug 28, 20 @ 12:51 pm
Dee Lay
Its too far ahead to make guesses about what schools will be having remote or in school classes in November.
If things calm down somewhat, hopefully more schools will be in school learning.

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Friday, Aug 28, 20 @ 2:46 pm
—- Since most of the schools are empty - why aren’t we asking the districts to use their gyms and field houses? You could feasibly put multiple polling sites in there. —-

The election Bill passed in May requires schools to close and let election authorities use them as polling places.

Comment by Hush Friday, Aug 28, 20 @ 2:51 pm
— Its too far ahead to make guesses about what schools will be having remote or in school classes in November.
If things calm down somewhat, hopefully more schools will be in school learning. —-

Election Day is a state holiday this year. They won’t be in school that day no matter what.

Comment by Hush Friday, Aug 28, 20 @ 2:51 pm
Election Day is a state holiday this year. They won’t be in school that day no matter what.

Forgot that. Thanks.

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Friday, Aug 28, 20 @ 2:59 pm
Dee Lay–A lot of schools are not empty. For many districts, they are requiring staff to be teaching from school. Right now, most schools have only said they are shutting down for Quarter 1 (ends sometime in October) and will make a decision about Quarter 2 at a later date. Election day generally falls in the second quarter of school.

You suggested the gyms or field houses but a lot of those spots don’t have good ventilation (especially elementary schools).

Comment by M Friday, Aug 28, 20 @ 3:09 pm
Finding judges to work the polling places is going to be the problem. All of the keyboard warriors talking about “Pack the Polls” should contact their Election Authority about serving on Election Day.

Comment by God's Country Friday, Aug 28, 20 @ 3:36 pm
I found out a couple months ago that my church was considering not being a polling place. We’ve only had one precinct lately. I hit the roof and sent an email to the committee that makes the decisions basically using every argument about free elections and preserving democracy. We’ll be a polling place.

Comment by FormerGOPer Friday, Aug 28, 20 @ 3:43 pm