Election: Can I vote in person if I have COVID-19 or I’m quarantining on Election Day?

Election Day is upon us, and the millions of Americans who haven’t cast their ballots early will be showing up at the polls on Tuesday to vote for either Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

But if you have only just learned that you have COVID-19, or you are still quarantining because you were recently exposed, can you still vote in person?

This is a pressing question on Election Day as coronavirus cases continued to rise in 42 states as of Monday, with the U.S. averaging 82,812 new cases a day over the past week. And considering some absentee and early voting deadlines may have already passed (look up your state rules here), the only other option some voters face is heading to a poll site on Tuesday.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that registered voters still have the right to cast their ballots, even if they are sick or under quarantine. “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,” a spokesperson told MarketWatch by email.

The CDC has laid out its guidance for voting safely during the pandemic, which includes voting while infected with COVID-19, on its website here.

“ “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.” ”

So, how can this be done safely?

Where possible, the CDC suggests that alternative voting options are made available for those with COVID-19, those who have symptoms of COVID-19, as well as those who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. These alternative voting options should minimize contact between poll workers and voters.

It was unclear what alternative options could be made on Election Day, however.

So voters who have tested positive or been exposed to COVID-19, who plan to vote in person, should take steps to protect poll workers and other voters. This includes: Wearing a face mask that covers their nose, mouth and chin; staying at least six feet away from others; and washing their hands or using hand sanitizer before and after voting.

Granted, voters who have not been diagnosed with the virus have also been urged to follow these safety measures to protect themselves and other people at their polling places, as well.

Read more:How to vote safely on Election Day and make sure your ballot gets counted. ‘Informed voters cannot be suppressed voters.’

Voters who have recently tested positive or been exposed to COVID-19 should let poll workers know about their condition when they arrive at the polling location.

And they should check with their local health department or local authorities for any additional guidance.

The CDC has also recommended that polling places provide workers with masks, face shields, gloves and gowns for protection, and it has urged polling places to train poll workers on how to use that personal protective equipment correctly.

What’s more, voters can minimize their chance of either contracting the coronavirus or exposing someone else to the virus by getting in and out of their polling location as fast as they can. So before showing up, check that you are registered to vote, confirm where and when you can show up to vote, and try to arrive at an off-peak hour when lines might be shorter.

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Dr. Ashish Jha, the dean of Brown University’s School of Public Health, tweeted out some more safety tips for voting on Election Day, such as reading a sample ballot and planning how you’ll vote ahead of time so that you can cast your vote faster, as well as dressing for outside weather if you have to wait in line. He added that voting can actually be safer than a trip to the supermarket.

For more last-minute questions about voting in person, such as whether it’s OK to take ballot selfies, or what to do if you witness or experience voter intimidation, read this Election Day voting guide.

And stay informed with MarketWatch’s Election Day 2020 coverage here.

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