Yavapai County Elections Director Lynn Constabile and Yavapai County Recorder Leslie Hoffman said in a release on Friday, July 31, that the county planned to open all 25 in-person vote centers for the Tuesday, Aug. 4 Primary Election.
But COVID-19 has reduced the number of poll workers who are available to staff vote centers, and Constablile and Hoffman warned in the release that staffing shortages on Election Day could cause some locations to close.
“Please be aware, if enough poll workers do not show up to staff the Vote Centers, we may be forced to close certain locations on Election Day. A sign will be posted on the Vote Center entrance rerouting voters. This would not be our ideal scenario, but we would like voters to be prepared,” the release stated.
“Any Yavapai County voter can choose to vote at any Yavapai County Vote Center. There is no assigned place to vote,” the officials added.
According to the release, each vote center will receive hygiene kits with personal protective equipment for both poll workers and voters. The county also plans to implement protocols to promote social distancing, including a poll worker to monitor the number of voters inside vote centers at any one time.
“Voters can help by wearing a mask or cloth face covering, maintaining social distance from others and using the disposable items provided. Masks are not required; however, we are strongly encouraging their use,” the release stated.
The release said surfaces, pens and equipment would be disinfected frequently, but the county officials encouraged voters to bring their own pen.
A list of the county’s Vote Centers can be found at https://yavapai.us/GoVote.
