Brian Corley, Pasco County Supervisor of Elections has released plans for in-person voting during the unprecedented time of conducting elections during a pandemic.  To ensure the well-being of poll workers and the voters of Pasco County, safety measures in accordance with CDC guidelines will be implemented for the August 18, 2020 Primary Election.

Plans for In-Person Voting in August Primary During Pandemic 

“While we strongly encourage voters to consider voting by mail,” said Corley, “in-person early voting and Election Day voting will still be available by utilizing precautionary measures in keeping with CDC recommended guidelines.”

Voters who choose to vote in-person should expect longer wait times as a result of precautionary measures such as limiting the number of people inside the polling room and continuous cleaning of equipment and surfaces.  With advanced notice, the expectation is that voters will be understanding and remain patient while waiting in line. 

Planned health and safety measures include: 

– Mandatory masks and/or face shields for poll workers
– Availability of single-use styli for electronic signature pads 
– Optional use of re-usable ballot secrecy sleeves
– Hands-free check-in with Florida Driver License and Florida ID cards via
2D barcode readers
– Option to use personal blue or black marking pens to mark ballots
– Available disposable masks for voters which is strongly encouraged per
the county directive and may be required at some voting locations
– Social distancing while in line outside and inside the polling place
– Minimization of touch point contamination through ongoing cleaning of
surfaces, voting pens, voting machines, etc.

Most polling locations should be open as usual on Election Day. If changes become necessary, voters will be notified by postcard via USPS as time permits, as well as posting changes on www.pascovotes.gov, and automated text alert messages through the Pasco County Emergency Management.  Signs directing voters to their re-located polling place will be posted at former locations. Voters are statutorily required to vote in their precinct on election day and are encouraged to check any changes in their polling location before leaving home.

To date, there is only one change in polling location which is for Precinct 048.  Voters in Precinct 048 will now be voting at Williamsburg Tanglewood Club, 28429 Williamsburg Drive, Wesley Chapel FL  33543.  Additional changes will be posted, and voters will be notified as necessary.