The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) is reminding all North Dakotans to use standard COVID-19 health precautions when voting this season. Individuals should check for updated voting locations and requirements before voting.
“If you follow proper precautions, voting can be done with less risk,” said Disease Control Director Kirby Kruger. “The easiest steps are still the most effective, including wearing a face covering, staying home if you're sick, complying with voluntary quarantine and washing your hands. Also be sure to maintain a safe distance when waiting to vote.”
North Dakotans should also consider other ways to vote, such as early voting if available or ballot drop-off boxes. Voting alternatives that limit the number of people you encounter or the amount of time you are in contact with others can help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Voters can minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission at polling locations by following these tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Practice healthy behaviors to protect yourself
- Wash your hands before entering and after leaving the polling location.
- While in the polling location, frequently use alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol, especially after touching surfaces frequently touched by multiple people, such as door handles, pens, or voting machines.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in lined trash cans. Wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
- Wear a mask. Children under 2 and anyone who has trouble breathing or is unable to remove the mask without assistance should not wear a mask.
- Maintain at least six feet (about 2 arms’ length) of distance from others. It is important to continue social distancing even when you and others are wearing masks.
Avoid crowds
- Use early voting, if available in your area.
- Vote at off-peak times, such as mid-morning.
Be prepared
- Check your voting location and requirements in advance because they may have changed due to COVID-19.
- Make sure you have all necessary documents to avoid delays at the polling location. Identification requirements can be found on the Secretary of State's website.
- If possible, complete any registration forms prior to arriving at the polling location.
- Where possible, review or complete a sample ballot at home to speed the process of casting your ballot at the polling location.
For more information on COVID-19, visit health.nd.gov/coronavirus.