Below are some tips to say safe while voting and reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Consider other ways to vote
Consider other ways to vote in your area, such as early voting or ballot drop-off boxes. Voting alternatives that limit the number of people you come in contact with or the amount of time you are in contact with others can help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
- The risk of voting in person is comparable to going to the grocery store.
- Voting my mail or dropping off your ballot are the safest methods.
Be prepared ahead of time
The Minnesota Secretary of State - Find County Election Office has links to all county election office websites. Check your local election office for the methods to vote available in your area, what you may need to bring, or additional voting information for people with disabilities.
- Check your voting location and requirements in advance because they may have changed due to COVID-19.
- Verify your voter registration information is correct in advance of reporting to the polling location.
- Contact your local or state election office for additional information for voters with disabilities.
- Make sure you have all necessary documents to avoid delays at the polling location.
- If possible, complete any registration forms prior to arriving at the polling location.
- Where possible, review or complete a sample ballot at home to speed the process of casting your ballot at the polling location.
- Bring your own black ink pen.
- Bring a stylus or similar object for use with touchscreen voting machines. Check with poll workers before using.
Try to avoid crowds
- If voting on election day, try to avoid crowds.
- If possible, vote at off-peak times, such as mid-morning.
- If you drive to the polls and your schedule allows, monitor the voter line from your car and join when the line is shorter.
Practice healthy behaviors
Practice healthy behaviors to protect yourself and slow the spread of COVID-19.
- Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms' length) of distance from others. It is important to continue social distancing even when you and others are wearing masks.
- Wear a mask, Children under 2 and anyone who has trouble breathing, is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance should not wear a mask.
- Wash sanitize your hands before entering and after leaving the polling location. See Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives.
- While in the polling location, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol frequently, especially after touching surfaces frequently touched by multiple people, such as door handles or voting machines.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in lined trash cans.
- Wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
- Stay home if you are sick.
Do not disinfect or wipe down the voting equipment yourself.
Electronic voting equipment can be damaged by cleaners and disinfectants. If you use hand sanitizer before touching the voting equipment, ensure your hands are completely dry to avoid damaging the equipment. Wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer after using the voting equipment.