Toolkit for Reducing the Spread of COVID-19 During Elections

Dear Colleague:

As you prepare election sites and train your staff, we know you are also preparing to address challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has posted information for election polling locations and voters, as well as tips for voters on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This information can be found on CDC’s COVID-19 website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/election-polling-locations.html and https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/going-out/voting-tips.html#/.

You can help increase awareness about CDC’s guiding principles to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission at polling locations. To make it easy, we have put together this promotional toolkit with resources you can easily download and use on your website, social media, and in your other communications. This toolkit contains the following:

• Sample text for newsletters or emails
• Sample social media posts
• Social media graphics
• Animated video

If you have questions about this information, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]. Thank you for your dedication to working in polling locations and ensuring every American can participate safely in the voting process.

Sample Text for Newsletters and Emails

For Election Officials/Poll Workers

Here are some things election officials and poll workers should keep in mind to lower the risk of COVID-19 spread.

Election officials and poll workers can help lower the risk of COVID-19 spread at polling locations through personal prevention practices and cleaning and disinfection. This includes wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet apart, staying home when sick, handwashing, and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.

Election officials can:

• Increase awareness of voting methods that minimize direct contact and reduce crowd size at polling locations.
  • This includes options for voters who may be sick with COVID-19.
• Inform voters about protective measures to expect when voting in person.

Election officials and poll workers can also:

• Provide alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol to use at voting locations.
• Recommend that voters wear a mask.
• Post signs and messages about staying at least 6 feet apart and wearing a mask.
• Establish physical reminders of distancing 6 feet apart by using chalk, tape, or stickers to add physical guides and by adding one-way directional signage to floors and walls.
• Clean surfaces and voting-associated equipment regularly (for example, daily or as often as needed), following equipment manufacturers’ instructionsexternal icon.

For more information, see the Considerations for Elections Polling Locations and Voters and these Tips for Voters to help voters and poll workers stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For Voters Who Are Voting In Person

Are you voting in person in this election? Here are some things you should keep in mind to help you lower your risk of getting COVID-19.

As a voter, you can minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission at polling locations by using personal prevention practices. This includes wearing a mask and maintaining at least six feet of distance from people who don’t live with you.

You can also:

• Follow preventive measures for transportation to and from the polls.
• Check voting locations and requirements before going to vote because these may have changed due to COVID-19.
• Try to avoid crowds.
  • Use early voting, if available.
  • Vote at off-peak times, such as mid-morning.
• Bring an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol to use before and after voting.
• Check the local election office websiteexternal icon for information on voting options available in the jurisdiction.
• Ask poll workers what options they offer for casting your ballot if you have symptoms of COVID-19.

For more information, see the Considerations for Elections Polling Locations and Voters and these Tips for Voters to help stay safe during the pandemic.

Sample Social Media Posts

Social Media Graphics and Animated Video

Copy and paste these graphics and photos into your social media posts or on your website.