Pandemic forces some adjustments to Election Day process in Calhoun County

How is the coronavirus pandemic impacting the voting process?

Just 42 days from the presidential election.

Wtvas chelsea brown was in calhoun county to talk about the new procedures for voting this year.

On november 3rd voters will be rushing to the polls to vote for the presidential election.

I spoke with calhoun county circut clerk about how the coronavirus is impacting voting.

Carlton baker- circut clerk calhoun county "myself and the election commissioners are working hard to make sure we have a safe precinct and a safe election day."

Carlton baker, the calhoun county circut clerk says he changed some things about how voters will vote in november.

He asks for every voter to wear a mask.

There will also be sheilds up to protect workers and voters.

"wear a mask not only to protect themselves but also the poll workers."

Baker is giveing every voter a pen to keep and sign their name on voting day, and a q-tip for the voter to use for the touch screen voting machine.

Workers will be cleaning the voting machine and voter access cards after every voter.

I asked baker if he has had any issues finding poll workers.

"not really had as many issues finding poll managers as i anticipated."

Baker has added one poll worker to every precinct to help with the extra sanitation.

Baker says more typically more people register to voter during presidental election years and expects a large turn out.

He also belives more people will vote absentee in november.

"may only vote every 4 years, but they will vote for the president in the president race."

He asks for voters to be patients as the poll workers are trying to keep everything sanitized, the voting process will probably take longer.

"please have patients with us, we are working as fast as we can."

If you plan to vote in november's election, you have until october 5th at 5pm to register here at the courthouse or you can print off a voter registration card and mail it in.

It has to be postmarked by october 5th.

In pittsboro, chelsea brown, wtva 9 news besides