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Nov. 3 election preparations progressing in Belmont County

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Officials are striving to ensure the coming presidential election proceeds as normally as possible during the coronavirus pandemic, with safeguards in place and early and absentee voting expected to be popular options.

On Wednesday, Belmont County Elections Board Director Kelly McCabe updated the commissioners on expectations for the Nov. 3 general election.

“Absentee voting begins on Oct. 6, that’s in-person and mailing out. The election is going as scheduled, with in-person voting on Nov. 3. All precincts will be open,” she said.

The primary election was rescheduled due to the virus and made absentee-voting only.

“Our county seems to like absentee voting, and we do have a large amount on every election, just not quite as much as we will this time.

“I anticipate more due to the virus,” she said.

McCabe outlined the variety of protective gear in stock at polling locations, including hand sanitizer for voters and pollworkers, as well as plexiglass screens that will be set up on the tables.

“We have what’s comparable to Lysol spray for each precinct. We have masks that are disposable enough to change six times during the day for each poll worker. We have plenty of hand sanitizer. We have gloves, wipes,” she said, adding that pens will not be re-used.

“They’ll be either disposable or (the voters) can take them home with them,” McCabe said.

In answer to a question from Commissioner J.P. Dutton, McCabe said funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act will provide some compensation for these additional expenses.

Security upgrades and mandates continue to be a high priority. McCabe said a secure dropbox with a double-lock eye system is set up by the entrance of the board headquarters to drop off absentee ballots.

“It is monitored 24/7 with a security camera,” McCabe said.

McCabe added she expects this election to be unique in her experience.

“It’s always a different level during a presidential year, but this is a whole new level,” McCabe said. “We still do need more poll workers to have as backup, but we have a lot of poll workers that are willing to work. They understand that we have PPP and some plexiglass screen that separates them from the public. I feel that they’re very comfortable with what we have in place,” she said.

Training begins in September.

“We’re setting up classes right now,” McCabe said.

Commissioner Jerry Echemann voiced a common worry that voting by mail might increase the chance of fraud.

“Should there be any concern with voting by mail? Does it increase the chances even a little bit that your vote wouldn’t be counted or wouldn’t be cast?” he asked.

McCabe said before a ballot could be mailed out, a registered Belmont County voter must fill out an application and provide an address, identification and a signature.

“We look at that on every application,” she said. “We compare signatures (to those on record).”

In answer to another question from Echemann, McCabe said people may also vote in person beginning Oct. 6. McCabe said there may be a wait, since there is a limit on the number of people allowed in the lobby at one time.

Hours for early, in-person voting at the elections board office will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 6-9 and Oct. 12-16; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 19-23; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 24; 1-5 p.m. Oct. 25; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 26-30; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 31; 1-5 p.m. Nov. 1; and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 2. Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 3, Election Day.

“Nothing is counted prior to 7:45 p.m. (on Election Day),” she said, adding that early votes are the first uploaded.

“It has been an unusual year to say the least,” Commissioner Josh Meyer said. “Thank you for your efforts and the hard work you, the staff and the board have put in.”

“We have an excellent staff,” McCabe said, adding that along with the eight staff members in the office, more than 200 poll workers are needed to fully staff the precincts. “It’s a credit to all of those people.”

The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 5.

The board office is located at 52180 National Road, St. Clairsville. More information and polling locations can be found at the election board website, www.boe.ohio.gov/belmont/.

For more information or to seek employment as a poll worker, call 740-526-0188.

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