Precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19 are now part of our daily lives, and Atchison County voters can expect to see the same precautions in place as they go to the polls to vote on November 3 as they have seen in prior elections this year.

“With a tremendous turnout for the August Election, over 44%, it was a great trial run to prepare the judges for the November Presidential Election. With almost the same teams of judges in place, I feel we are prepared to handle the large turnout that is expected,” said Susette Taylor, Atchison County Clerk. “I have worked with local law enforcement to provide some additional layers of security at all polling locations. I want every voter in Atchison County to feel they can place their vote in person without any worry of safety. Please review all issues on the ballot ahead of time and be prepared when you enter the polling location. As we try to keep the numbers at a minimum inside each location, it is critical that you cast your ballot and exit the poll. Once again, please thank your poll workers. They are beyond dedicated and are serving under unbelievable circumstances so that you can all cast your ballot in person.”

The Tarkio polling location has been moved to the Tarkio Community Building, located at 603 South 3rd Street. This will eliminate individuals meeting face to face in the hall, as well as provide a separate entrance and exit and plenty of space to keep voters six feet apart while in the poll.

Clerk Taylor has listed additional steps her election team will be taking with their “1-2-3 Vote Safely” campaign.

Prior to Election Day, Atchison County election staff will encourage voters to use voting methods that minimize direct contact with other people and reduce crowd size at polling stations. Anyone who is not feeling well is encouraged to vote curbside or at the courthouse.

Voters who will be absent from the county on Election Day are encouraged to vote an absentee ballot by going to the clerk’s office at the Atchison County Courthouse.

If you are 65 or older or have any underlying health conditions, you can cast an absentee ballot at the courthouse until 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 2. If you have any questions, you can call the clerk’s office at 660-744-6214. The office will also be open from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon on Saturday, October 31.

Voters planning to vote in person on Election Day are encouraged to arrive at off-peak times.

Voters are encouraged to view the sample ballots in the newspaper or online at www.acmoelections.org to reduce time in the polls on Election Day. Cut out or print the sample ballot, mark your selection and take it with you if needed.

ON ELECTION DAY

Aside from poll workers and poll watchers, if any, only the voters may enter the polling place on Election Day. Family members, friends, or others will not be permitted to enter unless they are assisting a voter in reading or marking the ballot.

Any voter exhibiting signs or symptoms of illness will be asked to leave the polling place immediately. Any such voter will be given the opportunity to vote while remaining in his or her vehicle.

One additional poll worker will be added at the three larger polling locations and will serve as the “greeter.” This person’s responsibilities will include monitoring the number of voters inside the polling location and distance between them, cleaning the doorknobs regularly, and ensuring that there are not too many people inside the polling location at one time. Sanitizer will be provided for each voter to use as entering and leaving the polling location.

During a typical election, poll workers review each voter’s voter identification document. For this election, voters will show the ID to the poll worker through the protective barrier. IDs and other verification documents will not be passed between voters and poll workers.

Each voter will be given a disposable pencil at the verification station to sign the poll book and will be instructed to take the same to the ballot station to vote their ballot and then dispose of it.

One 6’ table per voter will be provided to mark the ballot. An 8’ table will have two voting dividers 6’ apart. Table and voting booths will be disinfected regularly.

No food will be permitted on the floor in the polling place on Election Day. Poll workers will have a designated space within the building for breaks.

The following strategies and action steps will be employed at the polling place on Election Day to attempt to mitigate the spread of COVID-19:

Physical distancing will be observed. Poll workers will keep everyone 6’ apart at all times.

A limited number of voters will be permitted inside the polling place at one time. Additional voters may wait outside the building, in their vehicles, or do curbside voting.

Tape will be used to mark 6’ increments on the floor throughout the polling place as needed.

Voting booths will be spaced at least 6’ apart.

Poll workers will maintain a 6’ separation while still being able to perform their jobs. There will be one precinct worker at each end of a 6’ table.

Increased hygiene will be observed. All poll workers should wash hands thoroughly with soap and water throughout the day, and specifically: before eating any food in the break room, after eating anything in the break room, after using the restroom, throughout the day as needed. Sinks, soap, and paper towels are available.

Individual bottles of hand sanitizer will be given to each poll worker, which they are encouraged to use throughout the day.

Poll workers are encouraged to wipe down the workspace several times throughout the day.

Poll workers should not share pens with other poll workers or with voters.

“I Voted” stickers will not be handed out.

During a typical election, poll workers are encouraged to rotate jobs (computers, ballot table). During this election, however, poll workers will be encouraged to remain at one workspace and complete the same job throughout the day.

The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) will be required. Poll workers should use gloves (provided) for opening and closing tasks such as removing the ballots from the ballot box. Masks will be provided to poll workers. The wearing of masks will be with the intention to provide a layer of protection to the poll workers. These are not intended to allow a worker who may be feeling ill to still work. If a poll worker is ill or exhibiting symptoms of illness, he or she may not work on Election Day.

Acrylic panels will be placed between poll workers and voters.

Sanitizer and ultra-violent light wands will be regularly used by the poll workers and greeter to sanitize voting booths/tables, Express Vote Machine (if used by a voter), door handles and other frequently touched surfaces, tables, and other hard surfaces. All surface and materials will be sanitized before packed up and put away.