A Member of Congress and a Doctor Have Voting Advice for You

This country is having to conduct an election in the midst of a pandemic that has claimed over 220,000 American lives. Fortunately for both our health and our democracy, voters have options to cast their ballot without putting their health at risk.

One of us is a member of Congress, and the other is an infectious diseases physician with expertise in biosecurity and pandemic response. We have both fielded plenty of questions — from people in our state, South Carolina, and around the country — about how to safely participate in the election. Our advice is simple:

1) Make a plan.

Before heading to the polls, voters should make a plan to cast their ballot safely. Depending on your state, options include early in-person voting, voting by ballot drop box and voting by mail in addition to voting on Election Day. If you want to vote in person, fill out a sample ballot beforehand to reduce your time inside the polling place.

All of the information you need to make a plan can be found at Vote.org. First, check your registration status. If you aren’t yet registered, in some states it is still possible to do so for this election. Once you are registered, check out your voting options by clicking on your state at the bottom of the Vote.org home page.

2) Vote early if you can.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends early voting because it reduces crowds at polling places. Decreasing the number of people standing in line and the density of crowds on Election Day reduces the risk of coronavirus transmission, thus keeping voters and poll workers safer. Many states have expanded early voting hours on weekdays and weekends, so consider voting at an off-peak time.

This election, all voters in 49 states (and many in the 50th, Mississippi) have options to cast their ballot right now — either early in person or by mail or, in some states, both — without waiting for Election Day. By Wednesday evening, more than 42 million Americans had voted, according to data collected by the United States Elections Project.

3) Take the same precautions you should take in any other public setting during the pandemic.

If you are voting in person, follow the recommendations of public health experts to keep yourself and others healthy. Practice good hand hygiene, wear a mask and keep your distance. Come early, and be prepared to wait. Consider bringing snacks, water, something to read or listen to, and even lawn chairs and umbrellas. Be ready to spend time outdoors, since some election officials have moved check-in tables and lines outside in accordance with public health guidance.