SALT LAKE CITY — Election 2020 is shaping up to be one for the record books.
Salt Lake County Clerk, Sherrie Swensen, has been through a lot of elections, but not like this one.
“In terms of the people who’ve registered to vote, the questions, the enthusiasm, it’s amazing,” Swensen said. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Not only is there a lot of interest in the presidential race, house and senate races, and a gubernatorial contest in Utah, voting during a worldwide pandemic offers its own challenges.
“We’ve got signs on the floor that socially distance them, we’re giving them their own little stylus to sign the poll pads so they don’t have to share a surface with someone, a glove to put on their hand so they can use the voter access card on a gloved hand,” Swensen said. “We’re doing everything we can to keep people safe.”
Even if you haven’t registered to vote in Utah, you can register in person Tuesday until the polls close at 8:00 p.m. while leaving time to cast a ballot before that deadline.
Even though much is being done to keep polling places safe amid the pandemic, the CDC has this advice for voters:
- Bring your own supplies. A mask, hand sanitizer, a blue or black ink pen along with registration forms.
- Be sure to wear that mask when in public.
- If you're taking public transport to the polls, try to open a window and keep your distance from others.
- Be sure to wash your hands before and after voting.