Lynchburg, Va. – Casting your ballot on election day will be a bit different because of the coronavirus pandemic. Election officials said major health and safety considerations are now a part of the process.
Virginia’s June primary will take place on Tuesday the 23rd.
Lynchburg Registrar/Director of Elections Christine Gibbons detailed these updates to the process:
- Voters will receive gloves
- Booths can be disinfected after each voter
- Pens will only be used once
- Election officials will provide manila folders for ballot delivery to workers
- Markers will be on the ground to keep 6-feet between voters
- Curbside voting is available
- Masks are suggested, not required
- Medical reserve corps will be present to help disinfect and maintain social distancing measures
“With an election like this, the past turnout, like in 2018, we had 139 voters who voted absentee – in total for the whole election. We have in total close to 750 voters who have voted absentee,” explained Gibbons. “I still need to receive about another 200 ballots back from our voters. It may be that they’ve decided to vote in the polls. If they have decided to do that they need to make sure they bring that absentee ballot they requested.”
Gibbons is asking for public feedback on the process ahead of November’s general election.
Click here for polling location information.
Polls are open from 6 a.m. - 7 p.m. for the June 23 primary.