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"Covid-19 poses risks to voters and to poll workers" -Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health "The virus is hoping a lot of people turn up to vote" He favors move to vote-by mail. Speaking as part of Everyone Votes Maryland coalition
Dr. Mike Latner with Union of Concerned Scientists says longest wait times at the polls often occur in areas with the highest risks to contract #COVID19 (thread)
Everyone Votes Maryland wants @GovLarryHogan to reconsider his directive to open polling places and send out abesentee ballot applications to voters. Hogan's argued June 2nd wait times, issues around ballots that didn't arrive in time--or at all--make an in-person election best
David Garreis, with the Maryland Association of Election Officials says "we've run into major issues" trying to fulfill @GovLarryHogan directive. Local boards "unprecedented issues recruiting election judges" due to #COVID19
"High vacancy rate this close to the election" causes critical problems says Garreis who predicts long lines on election day, and says counties may find they have to consolidate polling places.
"known risks" to consolidation includes increased voter confusion says Garreis.
Garreis says @GovLarryHogan has encouraged state workers to step in and serve as election judges (this was part of his plan when he announced in-person election plans weeks ago)
Garreis says it is not a partisan issue...simply a logistical issue. Recommending ways to deal with expected turnouts while trying to recruit enough judges.
Robert Borochoff, who's serving as an election judge in Montgomery County in the upcoming election says "we will have to do more managing of flow in and out of the rooms" due to #covid19 and that means more judges and election day workers needed
Borochoff says polling sites are chosen based on how many people are served: combining sites will mean longer lines on election day. Distancing requirements also mean fewer pieces of equipment at pollling sites.
Says giving directions while masked up is harder--says this is based on his experience as election judge during the June 2nd primary.
Rebecca Wilson, served as Chief Judge at elections in Prince George's County in many elections. "I'm a senior with underlying health conditions--so are most of the crew I've served with all these years" she's opting NOT to serve on Nov 3rd due to #covid19 concerns
"I don't know how Maryland will be able to staff its polling places" without experienced elections judges. "Dangerous mistake" to hold in person election she says, while saying she's generally given @GovLarryHogan high marks for handling of #covid19
Kevin Kinneally, with Maryland Association of Counties says pandemic wreaking havoc on county budgets. Spending a lot of money to handle pandemic, while seeing $$$ shortfalls.
Says counties are concerned about spending $$$ for elections. Says there are also concerns about access to polling locations for the Nov 3rd election.
Expects canvassing of votes is expected as well. Counties are working to inform voters of how elections will work. Health and safety of poll workers a concern.
Representative from Disability Rights Maryland says there are barriers to voting for people with disabilities--and that many depend on in-person voting where specially equipped machines can be used.
