Election Day 2020 will appear different than those of years past.
Voters are required to wear masks and social distance while at the polls. Poll workers will be provided face shields as protection. Voters who refuse or are unable to wear masks inside voting locations will be able to fill out their ballots through curbside voting instead.
Latah County Auditor Henrianne Westberg has been overseeing restrictions and requirements for voting locations in the face of COVID-19. Curbside voting is not a new system, Westberg said. It has always been available to accommodate individuals who needed it.
With an uptake in voter engagement, Westberg expects a larger turnout than previous years.
“For many years, we did a lot of preparation for voting and very few people turned out, but that has really changed,” Westberg said.
Despite increased voter turnout and COVID-19 restrictions, Westberg said Latah County results will be in on election night.
“I won’t go home until the ballots are counted,” Westberg said.
Moscow Police Captain Roger Lanier said Moscow citizens have tended to comply with regulations in the past, allowing for things to run smoothly.
“I know there’s a lot of tension this year, but we have high hopes that the citizens will behave just like they have been behaving,” Lanier said. “They’ll make their point if they want to, but they’ll do it in a manner that fits with the Constitution.”
The Moscow Police Department plans to have additional staff at each voting location to monitor and enforce Idaho electioneering code. This includes laws against campaigning within 100 feet of the polling location and intimidating voters.
Lanier said the police department has already been dealing with political tensions for the past several months, largely stemming from Moscow’s mask mandate.
Lanier thinks there will be issues with individuals not willing to wear face masks while voting. Precinct marshals will address any issues as they arise, but they will aim to avoid unnecessary confrontations. If deemed necessary, individuals can be removed from polling locations.
“Our goal would not be anything but to keep opposing factions away from each other,” Lanier said. “If people want to get out and shout at the top of their lungs and beat their drums because their candidate won or lost, that’s their right to do that within certain limits.”
The University of Idaho Student Recreational Center will serve as one polling location.
“Our student leaders worked really hard a few years ago to get (the polling location) back on campus,” Dean of Students Blaine Eckles said. “It’s going to make it easier for students to just show up.”
Previously, students needed to get to the Latah County Fairgrounds to vote.
“We’re helping facilitate their needs,” Eckles said. “We have a golf cart to get people from the parking lot to the polling doors if need be, or for individuals that do not want to wear a mask, we will have a polling station outside.”
There have been several campus events in anticipation of the election and more will be held on Election Day. A result watch will be held in the Wallace Residence Center basement. Post-election conversations will be held in 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday and Friday in the Vandal Lounge. These events are meant to provide students with an outlet to discuss their thoughts on the results, Eckles said.
“Our democracy prides itself on civil discourse, and we all engage in different thoughts and opinions,” Eckles said. “The hallmark of an institution is to engage in civil discourse about those differing opinions.”
Westberg encourages voters to be safe and understanding when they go to the polls.
“There’s going to be a lot of people. Please wear a mask, please social distance, please be patient,” Westberg said. “As long as you are there by 8 p.m., we will make sure you vote.”
Lanier expects to see demonstrations near polling locations due to tensions on both sides of the political spectrum.
“I expect there will be people just outside of the 100 feet zone waving signs, and I expect there will be people who exercise their right to open carry firearms,” Lanier said. “There’s a lot of little things I expect people are going to do just because they can.”
Haadiya Tariq can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @haadiyatariq.