Tips for safe voting during the pandemic | hioscar Blog | Oscar
Tips for safe voting during the pandemic
Election Day is coming up on Tuesday, November 3rd. Confused about what to do? We’ve got some helpful advice.
General HealthClinically Speaking
7 min read
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Election Day is coming up on Tuesday, November 3rd, and this year there’s a lot to think about as we exercise our democratic right to vote, which is also a duty and a privilege.
Because we’re experiencing a pandemic with no vaccine, and no end in sight yet, there is understandable anxiety around casting ballots. It’s essential to prioritize your health and safety. Although COVID-19 poses many challenges, you’ve got more than one option for the way you choose to vote.
Confused about what to do? We’ve got some helpful advice.
Make your voice heard from home (or anywhere): voting by mail
Find out whether your state offers an option to drop off your ballot at your County Board of Elections office, or at dropoff ballot boxes at local polling locations.
Otherwise, you can vote by mailing your ballot—but it’s important to find out the postmark deadline for sending it. Be sure to look up , and follow the instructions carefully to avoid any mistakes that could disqualify or delay your ballot—such as not signing the envelope (or signing in the wrong spot), filling out the ballot incorrectly, illegible signature, and not adding return postage. Also, remember to seal the envelope with a damp rag—don’t lick it.
Most states will allow voters to track the status of their mail-in ballots online. Find out if this is available where you live, and if so, keep track of your ballot.
Finally, keep in mind that in some states, ballots must be returned by Election Day, but in others, they’ll just need to be postmarked by November 3rd. In any case, don’t delay!
How to cast your ballot in-person (and protect yourself): health & safety tips
We understand some people plan to vote in person – whether a personal preference, concerns about delays with mail-in ballots, or some combination of multiple factors. If you’re planning to vote at your local polling center on November 3rd, there are some things to keep in mind when it comes to your health, and the health of those around you!
You can expect to see the polling place looking a bit different this year: you might find new safety precautions such as floor markers to distance voters six feet apart in line; bottles of hand sanitizer; plastic shields for poll workers; and some extra space between voting machines.
Even with all these extra precautions, you’ll need to be sure about how you’re feeling physically before heading to the polls. If you’re not experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (and haven’t been exposed to anyone who is, that you know of), you could choose to vote in-person.
Make sure that you understand your state and local COVID-19 guideline (opens in new tab)s for voting. Find out where your local polling place (opens in new tab) is located, too. If you haven’t already registered to vote, about 20 states allow same-day voter registration at the polls. (ID requirements for registration will vary by state.) Familiarize yourself ahead of time with who’s on the ballot, and what is at stake. That way, you can spend less time in the booth (and in the building) on voting day.
It’s also a good idea to prepare all your documents and forms before you arrive. You might have to show a government-issued ID to poll workers. If so, find out whether you can avoid germs by holding up the ID to present it, rather than passing it back and forth with poll workers. The poll workers will have a list on hand of all the registered voters in your district.
Plan and prepare
Since heavy voter turnout is expected this year, build in extra time to vote, or vote early in the day. You can also try visiting your polling center at off-peak times—such as mid- or late morning, or in the middle of the day, rather than in the evening after work when there might be a rush. However, if you have to vote late in the day, closer to the poll closing time, don’t worry: if you’re in line when the polls close, you will still be able to vote.
You should wear a face mask and use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol) frequently, especially before and after entering the polling station. To avoid contact with objects and surfaces that others have touched, bring your own pen (and an extra one, just in case) so germs won’t be spread from one person to another, and wear gloves or use paper towels if there is anything you’ll have to touch or handle.
If you wear contact lenses, wear glasses that day instead to further protect yourself from the spread COVID-19. If you don’t wear glasses, you could wear goggles or a face shield as an extra safety measure. Also, stay at least six feet apart from other people at all times. (Keep even more distance from those who aren’t wearing face coverings in public – whether outdoors or indoors as areas may be poorly ventilated.)
And as soon as you get home (or return to work), wash your hands thoroughly (soap and water for at least 20 seconds!) to kill any potentially harmful bacteria – use a towel or paper to turn off the faucet to reduce your risk of re-contaminating your hands.
Of course, some things never change about voting: wear comfortable shoes, and bring a chair if you’ll find it difficult to stand in long lines for an extended period of time. Try to eat and hydrate before you go to limit the number of times you need to remove your mask at the polls, but have a bottle of water on hand in case you’re in line for hours. You can also bring a good book and an external charging device for your phone.
Consider voting early
Another way to cast your ballot in-person is early voting. That means you can go to your local polling station and vote in-person, but you can do it before Election Day. Many states (opens in new tab) offer early voting, so find out the rules in your area. You can text 26797 to find out if you’re eligible to vote early in person.
Early voting sites tend to be less crowded, which means less potential exposure for COVID-19. That said, even if you decide to vote early, follow all the same precautions: wear your mask, bring your own pen, use hand sanitizer, and stay as far away as possible from others.
And note that in some areas, the early-vote location may not be the same place where you’re used to going on Election Day—so check to see where and when the early-vote location is open.
Take extra precautions if you’re volunteering
And what if you’re a poll worker, as well as a voter? (First: thank you!) We want you to stay safe too. You’ll be given instructions or training before the big day, and you should be provided with protective equipment such as masks, face shields, and hand sanitizer.
Most states are working to make sure that poll workers have what they need for the big day, and many election officials have been planning this for months. However, the amount of personal protective equipment each polling site gets is dependent partly on funding, so it’s best to be prepared and bring your own supplies if needed.
Election anxiety: we’re here to support your mental health, too
We know this is a confusing and scary time for many people. This election is an unprecedented one, notably because of the pandemic that has upended our lives. And with Election Day approaching, anxiety can become even more intense, as well as managing other difficult emotions. Your mental health, along with your health and safety, are the most important things.
The good news is, we’ve got some mental health resources (opens in new tab) to help take care of our Oscar members. Through our partner, Optum, anyone seeking mental health support can access a $0, 24/7 counseling helpline by calling the Emotional Support Hotline at (866) 342-6892.
You can also access Doctor on Demand (opens in new tab), which allows you to schedule virtual visits with mental health professionals like therapists and psychiatrists if you’d like to consider medication treatments. Plus, you’ll get a 40% discount (opens in new tab) off an annual subscription to Calm (opens in new tab), which offers more than 100 guided meditations and sleep stories to help you manage anxiety, lower stress, and sleep better.
Remember too that your Care Team is always there to help. Call them at 855-672-2788, or message them anytime if you need guidance during COVID-19.
Check out these resources and more on our website (opens in new tab). And if you can, vote! Every vote matters, and your voice matters more than ever.
Published 21-10-2020
*Dr. Mike Hoaglin is employed by Oscar Medical Group and is not employed by Oscar Insurance.
This content does not constitute medical advice and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, including diagnosis or treatment. Contact your physician with any questions you may have regarding COVID-19 or your personal health. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, dial 911 for immediate assistance.
