The new date for the Pennsylvania primary election is less than a week away, and the Berks County Department of Election Services has some updates on what voters should know before heading to the polls.
Polling locations will be operating under normal hours 7AM-8PM though some locations have been adjusted. In-person voters are asked to be considerate of poll workers and voters by wearing a mask when entering the polling location and maintain the recommended 6-foot social distance between others. If voters are not comfortable using the provided pen to sign the poll book, they are encouraged to bring their own.
The Berks County Commissioners are committed to a safe, clean and secure Primary Election on Tuesday, June 2nd for those who plan to vote in person. Every polling location will be electrostatically sanitized with COVID-19 effective deep cleaning before the poll location is opened and after it is closed. Additionally, all election personnel and polls will be provided with the appropriate PPE to protect both poll workers and voters.
Voters should know they are safe when voting in person
Election Board Chair, Commissioner Kevin Barnhardt noted, “We believe these measures provide people voting in-person peace of mind. It also provides the owners of the 202 polling locations the knowledge that the county is leaving their property in a safe and sanitized condition.” All poll workers will be provided a Face Shield, Mask, Hand Sanitizer and Gloves.
Voters will be provided a glove and Q-Tip for use on the touch screen and voters are required to wear a mask.
What Berks County Voters Should Know Before Voting on June 2nd
Deborah Olivieri, Director of Election Services, provided information to common questions about the June 2 primary.
Will my absentee/mail-in ballot be accepted at polling locations? Please note, absentee and mail-in ballots will not be accepted at any polling location. Voters who bring their ballots to submit at polling locations will not be counted. All absentee and mail-in ballots must be received in the office of Election Services by 8PM on June 2.
How do I find out if my polling location has changed? Election Services has provided an updated list of current polling locations and a separate document of polling locations that have changed in Berks County. Voters are encouraged to visit the Elections Services website www.co.berks.pa.us/Dept/Elections/Pages/PollingLocations.aspx to view the lists.
Has the issue of voting privacy been addressed? Yes. The Berks County Commissioners added a curtain to each machine that goes behind the voter providing privacy as they vote.
How do I know that my polling place is safe? Poll workers are taking extra precautions to keep themselves and voters safe. Gloves as well as Q-Tips will be provided for voters to use on the voting machine touchscreens. To limit contact with commonly used items, in-person voters are encouraged to bring their own pens in order to sign the poll book. In-person voters are strongly encouraged to wear masks but not required.
Berks County residents with questions about in-person voting are encouraged to contact the Election Services office at 610-478-6490.
