Balancing Your Vote and Your Health

By Christina Moylan, October 30, 2020
A message from Christina Moylan, Director of Public Health Emergency Preparedness.

Public Health Column introduction video. 

Voting is essential to the future of our nation because elections have consequences, and those you select as leaders will make choices that affect us all. If you have not already voted, there is still time to participate in this election — and do so in a way that protects your health. 

If you have not mailed your absentee ballot in yet, it may be too late to submit by mail. Make sure that it is counted by calling your local board of elections to identify the closest ballot drop off location.  

If you missed the opportunity for early voting in your state, or it was not offered, then plan to vote in person on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Using a few simple strategies, it is possible to protect your health and increase your comfort level while voting in person.  

"You will exemplify our Ithaca College values by casting your vote. Your participation in the democratic process is critical for us to thrive within our own community and as a nation. Use your vote to lift up those candidates who share your vision of the nation’s future."  

Christina Moylan, Director of Public Health Emergency Preparedness

First, familiarize yourself with a sample ballot before you head out to vote. These are usually available on your state or local election office’s website. This will increase your awareness of the process and format so that you arrive with a game plan for voting, which will minimize the amount of time that you must spend at the voting location.  

Second, if you live in a state where identification is required to vote, double check that you have it with you so that you do not waste a trip to the polling place.  

Third, take items like a pen, hand sanitizer and a tissue or gloves with you. Finally, try to vote at a time of day, like early morning or mid-afternoon, when your precinct is less likely to be crowded.  

Upon arrival, the lines at the polling location may seem daunting. Ease your discomfort by tapping into the recommended public health behaviors that will help to balance the importance of voting with protecting your health. These include: 

  • Wearing a face covering – and wearing it properly! Help protect others in case you are asymptomatic from the virus by making sure your nose and mouth are fully covered. 
  • Maintaining 6 feet of physical distance. If people encroach on your space, politely retreat and ask them to keep their distance.  
  • Minimizing the number of items that you touch. Take your own pen with you to avoid having to share.  
  • Carrying your own bottle of hand sanitizer to use after you finish voting. You should not wipe down voting equipment as disinfectants can damage equipment, (unless special wipes are provided by the polling location.) Wrapping your finger in a tissue or wearing gloves is a better option. Or, be prepared to use the hand sanitizer, and keep your hands away from your face until you do.  
  • Washing your hands well with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when you return home.
Vote 2020

(Shutterstock)

If your transportation to and from the polling location involves mass transit, like a subway or bus, plan to use recommended public health behaviors while making the trip.  

You will exemplify our Ithaca College values by casting your vote. Your participation in the democratic process is critical for us to thrive within our own community and as a nation. Use your vote to lift up those candidates who share your vision of the nation’s future.  

Just over half of the voting age population normally votes in United States elections. We can do better. You can show a healthy respect for the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic and still cast your vote on or by Nov. 3. 

Let’s keep our numbers low, and our spirits high!       

Sincerely,      

Christina Moylan, Ph.D.      
Director of Public Health Emergency Preparedness