CLEARFIELD – Clearfield County’s Election Office is encouraging voters to be a “champion of democracy.”
“Every year, county elections are made possible by hundreds of regular citizens, including your friends and neighbors who serve as poll workers,” Dawn Graham, election director, said.
She said these workers set up polling places, check in voters and prepare ballots for voters. “They’re tasked with running fair and secure elections.”
Although a large majority of voters in Clearfield County chose to vote via absentee/mail-in ballots, she said the precincts will be open for those who prefer to vote in person.
Graham provided the following list of changes and suggestions for voting:
- If you have requested an absentee/mail-in ballot, please vote and return it to the Election Office as soon as possible, but before 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 2 (Election Day).
- If you have requested an absentee/mail-in ballot and did not return it and go to the polls, you will be issued a provisional ballot for voting purposes.
- If you have been issued a ballot and returned it to the Election Office in a timely manner and now decide you want to go to the polls, don’t. Once you have voted a ballot and returned it, you are no longer eligible to vote at the polls.
COVID-19:
For most people, the immediate risk of becoming seriously ill from the virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to be low, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
However, older adults and those who have serious underlying medical conditions may be at a higher risk for more serious complications.
“In Clearfield County, we are blessed with dedicated and faithful poll workers, many who may have health risks or fall into the ‘older’ adult category,” Graham said.
“Therefore, we ask that when entering the polling place that you wear masks, (although this is not mandated), gloves, practice social distancing and use hand sanitizer.”
She said poll workers will be provided masks, gloves, face shields, disinfectant cleaners, hand sanitizer and pens (which you will take with you), and any other supplies to make sure that the polling place is safe.
“So please be considerate and do your part to keep these dedicated individuals – your friends and neighbors – safe,” Graham said.
With social distancing in place and the size of some county polling places, she said that it may be necessary to wait to vote outside.
“Please check the weather and plan accordingly for the weather,” she said. “Bring a sweater, jacket, umbrella or whatever you need to wait in line in the weather.”
Graham noted that there are only two temporary polling place changes in Clearfield County for the Primary Election:
- Burnside Borough has moved from the Burnside United Methodist Church, 65 E. Third St., Burnside, to the Burnside Christian Missionary Alliance Church, 83 Maple St., Burnside.
- Clearfield Borough – Second Ward has moved from the Henry G. Myers Towers (the High Rise), 222 Leavy Ave., Clearfield, to the St. Francis School Cafeteria, 230 S. Second St., Clearfield.
If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Election Office at 814-765-2642, Ext. 5053.