Early voting ends Friday: Health protocols in place to keep voters safe
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Early voting in the primary elections run-off continues through Friday, July 10. In Floyd County, early voting locations are the Floyd County Courthouse Annex (110 S. Wall) and First United Methodist Church in Lockney located at 102 Poplar. Hours open are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (The Hesperian-Beacon/Barbara Anderson)
By Teresa Bigham/The Hesperian-Beacon—
FLOYD COUNTY – Elections officials continue to adhere to health safety protocols during the last days of early voting, which ends Friday, and will have specific plans in place for voters who cast ballots on Election Day, Tuesday, July 14.
According to Floyd County Clerk Ginger Morgan, voters will need to follow certain protocols when they show up to vote in the primary run-off election.
Morgan said she wants voters, when feasible, to maintain at least six feet separation from other individuals at the polling location. In addition, other measures such as hand hygiene, cough etiquette, cleanliness and sanitation should be practiced.
Morgan also encourages voters to self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms before showing up at any of the polling sites. She said symptoms may include any combination of a cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100 degrees and known close contact with a person who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19.
Anyone who exhibits any of these symptoms may want to consider utilizing curbside voting. These voters should contact their county election office with questions about the process and requirements, she said.
Sanitized styluses are provided for the voters use throughout the voting process and will be sanitized after each voter use.
Hand sanitizer is provided when entering a polling place. Election workers will wear face masks and gloves when interacting with voters.
Morgan suggests voters wear cloth face coverings (over the nose and mouth) when entering the polling place but are not required. If voters wish to wear one, one will be provided when requested.
If an election judge is not able to determine the identity of a voter wearing a face covering, the voter should be prepared to lower or remove the face covering when checking in, Morgan said.
If a voter contracts COVID-19 – or other conditions that prevents the voter from appearing without the need of a personal assistance or of injuring the voter’s health – the voter should contact the county election officer for more details about submitting an Application for Emergency Early Voting Ballot Due to Sickness or Physical Disability.
In addition, Morgan wants individuals aged 65 or older to know they are at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19. Therefore, she suggests these voters consider curbside voting or Application for Mailout Ballot.
On the Republican ballot, Ronny Jackson and Josh Winegarner are running for U.S. Representative, District 13.
Larry Doss and Steven Denny are running for Justice, 7th Court of Appeals District, Place 4, Unexpired Term.
On the Democratic ballot, Royce West and Mary “MJ” Hegar are running for U.S. Senator. Gus Trujillo and Greg Sagan are running for U.S. Representative, District 13. Chrysta Castaneda and Robert R. “Beto” Alonzo are running for Railroad Commissioner.
Early voting polls are open 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., through Friday, July 10, at the Courthouse Annex located at 110 S.
Wall and at the First United Methodist Church in Lockney located at 102 W. Poplar.
On Election Day, polling locations for Floyd County in Precincts 1, 9, 18, 24, 24B are:
• County Courthouse Annex – 110 S. Wall
• First United Methodist Church – 102 Poplar St., Lockney Election Day voting hours are from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
