Supervisor of Elections shares Coronavirus (COVID-19) precautions and procedures for Election Day

Press release from Alachua County Supervisor of Elections

In response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) threats, Election Day polling places for the 2020 Presidential Preference Primary and City of Gainesville Regular Election, which will be held March 17, have been supplied with hand sanitizers, cleaning wipes, and additional cleaning supplies.

Instructions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have been shared with all election workers. They are as follows:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Those with flu-like symptoms should remain home until at least 24 hours after symptoms have ended, including fever.
• Wash hands regularly. Everyone should wash their hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing and before eating. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers may also be used.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Cover coughs and sneezes, and if a tissue is not available, cough into your elbow, not your hand.
• Understand CDC’s recommendation for using a face mask
• CDC does not recommend that people wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
• Face masks should be used by people who are ill, or show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.

Voters are encouraged to bring personal hand sanitizers and disinfectant wipes as well.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and voters must vote at the polling place to which they are assigned. Precinct information is on voter information cards. Additionally, voters can find their polling place at VoteAlachua.com/Voter-Information/Precinct-Finder or by calling 352-374-5252.

Voters registered with the Florida Democratic Party or the Republican Party of Florida by Feb. 18 will be able to vote in their party’s primary contest. All registered voters who reside within Gainesville’s city limits, regardless of party affiliation, are able to vote in the City of Gainesville Regular Election.

The following seats on Gainesville’s City Commission are up for election: At-Large Seat 2, District 2 and District 3. 

All city voters will be eligible to vote in the At-Large race. Only voters who live in Districts 2 and 3 will be able to vote on those contests.

Voters can view their sample ballot at VoteAlachua.com/My-Registration-Status.

Voters are required to present picture and signature identification before voting. Accepted forms of identification include Florida driver licenses, Florida identification cards, United States passports, debit or credit cards, military or student IDs, retirement center or neighborhood association IDs, public assistance IDs, veteran health IDs, concealed carry IDs, or government employee IDs. Voters may use two forms of identification to meet the requirement.

Previously registered voters are encouraged to verify and update their registration status. This can be done at VoteAlachua.com/My-Registration-Status or by calling 352-374-5252.

For more information, contact the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections at 352-374-5252.