How Covid-19 has impacted 2020 election and voting

With Corona Virus severely spreading nationwide, it has not only affected economies, lives, and families but also the 2020 Presidential Election.

What if no one is taking safety precautions? What if no one is wearing their masks? These are the main concerns of people who are not only going out but also of those who are voting in person. People are afraid of going out in public places in fear of contacting the virus. However, with the president’s news of contacting the virus, people are now more wary of the election and how it will be disrupted.

Covid-19 has disrupted this year’s election in so many ways, changing how campaigns are being held, voting policies and such.

According to Time “It has canceled conventions, relegated fundraising and campaigning to the digital realm, and forced many states to rapidly change how people get and submit their ballots, unpredictable and potentially disastrous results”.

With the worry of voters standing close to one another in line, receiving documents held by other people, voting polls are securing the health of many voters. Making masks mandatory, wearing gloves and securing that voters are at least 6 feet apart is a necessity during this pandemic. Many States have passed regulations concerning the safety of the voters.

Young people are now volunteering to guarantee the health of older poll workers. It is mainly Millennials who are taking the place of older poll workers who are dropping out. It is a concern of many children of poll workers over the age of 50 for their parents of loved ones to interact with the younger voters in the polls. According to the Washington Post many of the young volunteers feel safe because of the safety precautions that are being taking at the voting polls they are volunteering at. This, however, does not imply their immunity to the virus, but they are relatively stronger than the older poll workers.

According to the Washing Post Katherin Kortums father has been a voting poll volunteer.

“ “I can’t replace my father,” said Kortum, who will staff a voting station somewhere in the nation’s capital Nov. 3. “But if I can take the place of somebody else’s parent, I’m more than happy to. If I can be one extra body helping to make this election work — why not?” “.

Another way voters are taking precaution during this pandemic is voting by mail or filling out absentee ballots. With not wanting to vote in person, many voters are choosing this option to stay safe. This might not be an option for every state, however but to those who this option is available are choosing it.

According to Pew Research Center, “Overall, 70% favor allowing any voter to vote by mail if they want to, including 44% who strongly support this policy.”, “About half of the public (52%) favors conducting all elections by mail. The share supporting this proposal has increased 18 percentage points since 2018”, said the Pew Research Center website.

Covid-29 has impacted Texas schools and universities as well. Not being able to help students vote on campus has limited the voter registration from schools. Moving campaigns online has also been stressful according to Corrina Sullivan.

“ “The pandemic threw a wrench in everything, but we’re definitely doing our best,” “ said Corrina Sullivan, who runs voter registration tables and online outreach as chief of staff for the Student Government Association at the University of Texas at Arlington.”