COVID-19 still an issue for Pennsylvania voters

By ERIC SEIVERLING

eseiverling@yourmvi.com

Along with selecting their candidates of choice, voters will face a host of new questions when they arrive at the polls today.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its loosening restrictions, provisional ballots and election results are all issues that will await voters on Election Day.

According to the website votespa.com, all voters in the state will be permitted  to cast ballots regardless of vaccination status or whether they’re wearing a mask or not.

“We strongly encourage voters to wear masks for their own safety and out of respect for other voters and for the dedicated poll workers staffing the polling places,” the site said. “Voters who are not wearing a mask will not be denied their right to vote.”

Polls will open statewide at 7 a.m. today, and voters can cast their ballots through 8 p.m.

Closer to home, Allegheny, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties said they will follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Voters are asked to wear masks, but no one will be denied their right to vote.

In Allegheny County, poll workers and poll watchers will be required to wear a masks or face coverings while in the polling place. Voters are also asked to wear a face covering, regardless of vaccination status. Poll workers will not ask voters about their vaccination status.

According to votespa.com, provisional ballots are another hot topic with voters. 

The website states that if county elections officials need more time to determine someone’s eligibility to vote, election officials may ask that voter to cast a provisional ballot. 

A provisional ballot records the vote while the county’s board of elections determines whether it can be counted.

To read the rest of the story, please see a copy of Tuesday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at http://monvalleyindependent.com.