The Coronavirus will be having little effect on voting procedures for the upcoming 2020 primary and general elections.
During KVOE’s Talk of Emporia Friday, Lyon County Clerk Tammy Vopat stated the county will still have in-person polling places and advanced voting this year as in year’s past. Vopat says the county will be taking extra precautions throughout the voting process including sanitizing poll booths between voters, having additional staff on-site and having additional personal protective equipment on hand including masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and other disinfectant products.
Vopat says the county will be receiving reimbursement for the purchase of the additional PPE thanks to federal funds which were allocated to the state of Kansas and divided up amongst counties.
Additionally, Vopat reminded residents that mail ballots are available for those who wish to avoid polling places or may be unable to travel to polling locations. According to Vopat and Lyon County Deputy Election Officer Amy Jackson, some residents have expressed concerns regarding the safety and security of the application process for this voting option.
Both Vopat and Jackson assure residents that there are a number of safeguards in place to protect voter information and to ensure that all ballots are processed correctly, safely and fairly.
Vopat and Jackson remind residents the deadline to apply for a mail ballot is Jul. 28. The candidate filing deadline and the deadline for changing party affiliation is noon on Jun. 1.
For questions or more information contact the Lyon County Election Office at 341-3245 or visit Lyoncounty.org and click on the government drop-down tab.
