For people who are in quarantine through Election Day, there are two main ways to vote. Dillingham election judge Pat Walsh breaks it down.
The last day to vote this election Tuesday, Nov. 3. But what should people do if they are in quarantine through Election Day but didn't request a by-mail ballot?
There are a couple options. One is to vote what’s called a “Special Needs Ballot” on Election Day.
Here’s how it works. The voter sends a representative to the polling place to pick up a ballot for them. That representative then signs the outside of what’s called “Special Needs Ballot Affidavit Envelope”. They then take this envelope to the voter. Inside that envelope are a ballot, secrecy sleeve and another envelope.
“There’s an affidavit and paperwork the representative fills out," explained Pat Walsh, one of the election judges in Dillingham. "We give a ballot, a secrecy sleeve, and an envelope to this representative. The representative goes to the voter."
Then the person in quarantine fills out the ballot in private. Once they finish voting, they put the ballot in the secrecy sleeve, place that inside the envelope provided and seal it. The voter then gives the sealed envelope to their representative, who returns it to the polling place.
The ballot has to be returned to the polls by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3, and the same person has to pick up and return the ballot.
Walsh encouraged everyone involved to be as safe as possible.
“We ask that the representative really be mindful of social distancing and the contact," she said. "If this person’s under quarantine, maybe leave the package on the porch or something, so that they aren’t contaminated. And then when they bring the envelope back with the ballot, we’re asking that they come through the back door [of City Hall] so we can keep that person away from the other voters that may be in line. So we’re trying to be as safe as possible.”
The other option for voting while in quarantine is to request an online delivery ballot. You can request a ballot online until 5:00 p.m. Nov. 2. You will need to have access to a computer and a printer, and you can return the ballot by mail or by fax. Keep in mind that if you return it by fax, then you are voluntarily waiving your right to a secret ballot. Those who are not in quarantine can also drop their ballot off at Dillingham City Hall.
For more, you can go to the Division of Elections website or contact your local polling place to find out how to vote in your community.
Contact the author at isabelle@kdlg.org or 907-842-2200.
