Maskless Voters In CA Will Not Be Turned Away On Election Day

CALIFORNIA — Maskless patrons attempting to enter restaurants, banks, grocery markets — or really anywhere in California — have been routinely turned away for months. But a voter who shows up bare-faced to an in-person polling site will not be barred from filling out a ballot, according to the Secretary of State's guidelines.

Although it's highly discouraged to show up without 2020's most important staple accessory, no one will be refused their right to vote in-person. Maskless voters who step into a polling area will first be offered a face mask, but voters are entitled to refuse them.

"We regret that you’re unwilling to follow the guidelines," the guidelines read. "But we do respect your right to vote. Please give us a bit of time to organize the area to allow additional physical distance between you, our fellow election workers, observers and other voters."

Voters who show up to a polling place in Los Angeles County will be able to vote outside, according to the Los Angeles Times. In Orange County, a booth will simply be moved further away from other voters, the Times also reported.

"Even during a public health crisis, our democracy can and must go on," Secretary of State Alex Padilla said in a July statement detailing in-person voting procedures. "California elections officials are working tirelessly to protect the voting rights and the health of every citizen."

Other counties' poll workers will simply try to offer face shields or medical masks. But no one in California will be turned away for refusing to wear one.

"Those who refuse to use a face covering inside a polling place, including some unable to do so for medical reasons, and some who may also refuse to practice social distancing, create not only health risks, but also challenging encounters for your election workers,"the Election Administration Guidance under COVID-19 details.

Padilla, Gov. Gavin Newsom and public health officials have repeatedly encouraged voters to vote-by-mail this year if possible, and the advice appears to be working.

"If possible, vote using your vote-by-mail ballot. There is no safer method to vote, than to vote-by-mail," Padilla's office wrote in a July news release.

More than 1 million ballots have already been mailed in during this historic election, according to the state. Nearly 400,000 votes have already been cast in Los Angeles County alone.

The three ways to vote in this year's general election are by mail, in person or by using one of the thousands of drop boxes installed statewide to return a vote-by-mail ballot.

While every active and registered voter in California was mailed a ballot — more than 21 million ballots — many will inevitably need to visit a polling place for many reasons.

Some will need language or disability assistance or a replacement for a lost or damaged ballot. Others may prefer to cast their vote in-person on Nov. 3 to mitigate anxiety about casting a mailed ballot or simply to witness Election Day in full swing.

READ MORE: CA 2020 Election: Voting In Person; What To Know

The Centers for Disease Control provides guidelines for poll workers and voters on practicing COVID-19 prevention and safety at voting centers.

Poll workers and polling location operators are encouraged to wash their hands frequently, urge voters to maintain 6-feet of distance while waiting, minimize lines, increase space between voter booths, disinfect surfaces often and ensure that there is enough ventilation inside voting locations.

Polling places in California are also encouraged to provide partitions and plexiglass barriers that separate airspace.

Counties are also required to provide protective equipment to election employees and poll workers.

"Counties should have voting locations deep-cleaned before, during and after the November 3, 2020 General Election," Padilla's office wrote in July.

The state will have fewer polling places open than previous years due to a myriad of COVID-19 roadblocks and simply less need to have as many locations open with so many mailed ballots already cast.

California met a roadblock when traditional polling places such as retirement homes, community centers and churches, became largely unavailable due to closures and restrictions in place due to the pandemic.

So, there will be fewer places to physically vote but counties across the state will open locations as early as Oct. 30 to relieve congestion.

Find your polling place by using this form on the California Secretary of State's website.

This article originally appeared on the Across California Patch