Forget Mail-In Ballots. The CDC Now Says You Can Vote In-Person If You Have Covid
The CDC updated its website yesterday to state that “Voters have the right to vote, regardless of whether they are sick or in quarantine.”
The CDC provided guidelines for voting in-person if you are sick with COVID: “Voters who are sick or in quarantine should take steps to protect poll workers and other voters. This includes wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet away from others, and washing your hands or using hand sanitizer before and after voting. You should also let poll workers know that you are sick or in quarantine when you arrive at the polling location. Check with local authorities for any additional guidance.”
These are the standard procedures and precautions. The CDC also recommended bringing your own supplies with you, like a black pen, to reduce the spread of germs.
CDC spokesman Jason McDonald said yesterday in a statement, “CDC’s recommendations for isolating someone who has COVID-19 or quarantining someone who was in close contact with a person with COVID-19 would not preclude them from exercising their right to vote."
The statement was in response to questions about Georgia’s Governor Brian Kemp’s ability to vote after being exposed to the virus and going into quarantine. (Kemp has since tested negative for COVID.)
“Gov. Kemp would be able to vote in person while wearing a mask, and maintaining at least 6 feet between election workers and other voters, and washing or sanitizing his hands before and after voting,” said McDonald. “We also recommend that Gov. Kemp let poll workers know that he is in quarantine when he arrives at the polling location.”
While it’s true that being ill doesn’t nullify your right to vote, and to vote in-person, the fact that the CDC would officially bless those who are sick with COVID voting in person two days before Election Day raises some questions. Why make this decision now? Why didn’t the CDC put in their two cents about even sick voters being permitted to vote in person during the Democrats’ push for mail-in ballots? If we’re so worried about getting COVID and preventing the spread of COVID, why promote sick people voting in person? Has the fear of “my candidate not winning” surpassed the fear of catching COVID?