Navigating the Election During COVID-19
By: Sophia Andritsos
(Credit: Teach the Vote)
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic is significantly changing the logistical procedures and outlook for the 2020 election across national, state, and local levels. Due to the ongoing pandemic, this critical election will have significant political, economic, and social implications on our generation and countless generations to come.
Although many traditional aspects of national, statewide, and local campaigning have moved to virtual settings, candidates and voters alike are navigating a very uncertain democratic process. However, there is a very notable benefit to this unprecedented situation—an increase in mass voter education and engagement initiatives. While voter suppression is still rampant, the pandemic has encouraged the creation of a powerful countermovement encouraging the everyday American to become more informed on the voting process. More voters are making an effort to educate themselves on all of their options to successfully cast their ballots this November—including their state's voting regulations and their county’s voting procedures. Many voters plan to vote early, cast their ballot-by-mail, and wear masks to the polls for the first time in their lifetimes.
On a local level, as the beginning pandemic was met with the primary election season during the summer, many local county elections departments had to adapt to coronavirus mitigation protocols for local polling places very quickly. For the presidential election, local elections officials have adapted previous safety precautions to more comprehensive alternatives to account for greatest public confidence.
In El Paso, the County Elections Department has implemented the new “Vote Center” program—allowing El Paso voters to cast their ballots at any of the 150 newly-established polling locations, instead of strictly at their designated precinct polling locations. The early voting period in Texas has been extended from October 13 to October 30. During the last week of early voting, El Paso is offering extended hours of operation until 10 PM for the city’s 10 highest-traffic voting centers. The city is also offering curbside voting at every polling place in the city during early and regular voting. This will protect individuals who may be sick or have increased vulnerability to COVID-19, and may not qualify for a vote-by-mail ballot. Although there is limited access to vote-by-mail in the state of Texas, El Paso County still maintains its vote-by-mail drop box location at the Courthouse.
The most notable accommodation the county is making is by ensuring that proper COVID-19 protection protocols are in place at each and every polling location. Each and every voter will be given a Vote Safe El Paso kit. Every polling location will offer a limited supply of disposable masks for voters on-site, social distancing markers, and a clean team that is routinely disinfecting polling machines. The county is particularly encouraging that the safest way to ensure your vote is cast is to vote early—whether in person, or by mail.
Another unique aspect of this election is that the youth—particularly those who are voting for the first time—are navigating a seemingly more difficult process. As young people comprise an age demographic that is historically underrepresented in turnout during early voting periods and on Election Day, the ongoing pandemic might further discourage young people from showing up at the polls.
However, as the current pandemic is met with increased levels of social unrest and a reckoning for racial justice with the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, many young people have been turning to protesting as a form of political activism. Consequently, this is reason to believe the youth will turnout in greater numbers for this election. Despite the many uncertainties that exist from COVID-19, many young people are using this pandemic as a motivator to make sure their votes are cast in this election.
One example of increased political engagement among youth was seen in the Texas Midterm Election in 2018. Beto O’Rourke’s unprecedented Senatorial campaign led to historic democratic participation among young people in Texas, as early voting among voters under 30 increased by 500 percent. In analyzing the reasons why voter engagement among young people increased so dramatically, many attribute this trend to increased access to the political process for young people inspired by the grassroots nature of the campaign. Could the unconventionality of the pandemic, met with increased voter education efforts and the rise of a global social justice movement lead to a similar trend in 2020?
Although our country is facing an unprecedented election season, the most important action every citizen can take is to ensure they are doing their part to participate in our democracy. GO VOTE and GO VOTE EARLY! For important election dates, application forms, sample ballots, and polling location information, please visit epcountyvotes.com. For any questions, please contact the El Paso County Elections Office at (915) 546-2154.
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic is significantly changing the logistical procedures and outlook for the 2020 election across national, state, and local levels. Due to the ongoing pandemic, this critical election will have significant political, economic, and social implications on our generation and countless generations to come.
Although many traditional aspects of national, statewide, and local campaigning have moved to virtual settings, candidates and voters alike are navigating a very uncertain democratic process. However, there is a very notable benefit to this unprecedented situation—an increase in mass voter education and engagement initiatives. While voter suppression is still rampant, the pandemic has encouraged the creation of a powerful countermovement encouraging the everyday American to become more informed on the voting process. More voters are making an effort to educate themselves on all of their options to successfully cast their ballots this November—including their state's voting regulations and their county’s voting procedures. Many voters plan to vote early, cast their ballot-by-mail, and wear masks to the polls for the first time in their lifetimes.
On a local level, as the beginning pandemic was met with the primary election season during the summer, many local county elections departments had to adapt to coronavirus mitigation protocols for local polling places very quickly. For the presidential election, local elections officials have adapted previous safety precautions to more comprehensive alternatives to account for greatest public confidence.
In El Paso, the County Elections Department has implemented the new “Vote Center” program—allowing El Paso voters to cast their ballots at any of the 150 newly-established polling locations, instead of strictly at their designated precinct polling locations. The early voting period in Texas has been extended from October 13 to October 30. During the last week of early voting, El Paso is offering extended hours of operation until 10 PM for the city’s 10 highest-traffic voting centers. The city is also offering curbside voting at every polling place in the city during early and regular voting. This will protect individuals who may be sick or have increased vulnerability to COVID-19, and may not qualify for a vote-by-mail ballot. Although there is limited access to vote-by-mail in the state of Texas, El Paso County still maintains its vote-by-mail drop box location at the Courthouse.
The most notable accommodation the county is making is by ensuring that proper COVID-19 protection protocols are in place at each and every polling location. Each and every voter will be given a Vote Safe El Paso kit. Every polling location will offer a limited supply of disposable masks for voters on-site, social distancing markers, and a clean team that is routinely disinfecting polling machines. The county is particularly encouraging that the safest way to ensure your vote is cast is to vote early—whether in person, or by mail.
Another unique aspect of this election is that the youth—particularly those who are voting for the first time—are navigating a seemingly more difficult process. As young people comprise an age demographic that is historically underrepresented in turnout during early voting periods and on Election Day, the ongoing pandemic might further discourage young people from showing up at the polls.
However, as the current pandemic is met with increased levels of social unrest and a reckoning for racial justice with the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, many young people have been turning to protesting as a form of political activism. Consequently, this is reason to believe the youth will turnout in greater numbers for this election. Despite the many uncertainties that exist from COVID-19, many young people are using this pandemic as a motivator to make sure their votes are cast in this election.
One example of increased political engagement among youth was seen in the Texas Midterm Election in 2018. Beto O’Rourke’s unprecedented Senatorial campaign led to historic democratic participation among young people in Texas, as early voting among voters under 30 increased by 500 percent. In analyzing the reasons why voter engagement among young people increased so dramatically, many attribute this trend to increased access to the political process for young people inspired by the grassroots nature of the campaign. Could the unconventionality of the pandemic, met with increased voter education efforts and the rise of a global social justice movement lead to a similar trend in 2020?
Although our country is facing an unprecedented election season, the most important action every citizen can take is to ensure they are doing their part to participate in our democracy. GO VOTE and GO VOTE EARLY! For important election dates, application forms, sample ballots, and polling location information, please visit epcountyvotes.com. For any questions, please contact the El Paso County Elections Office at (915) 546-2154.
