‘The right thing to do’: Why Centre County’s poll workers took part Tuesday in spite of COVID-19
Amy Kelchner, 62, knew working at the polls Tuesday meant an increased chance of contracting COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Her husband might’ve been even more wary.
But, in the end, she still volunteered.
“I did weigh the risk,” said Kelchner, who worked in Precinct 2 at Bellefonte Area Middle School. “But I thought somebody has to do it. And I felt it was my civic responsibility.”
About 350 poll workers like Kelchner showed up at primary polls across Centre County on Tuesday, to help host the first U.S. election during a pandemic in about a century. Although the county has experienced just 22 new cases of the coronavirus over the last two weeks, meaning the risk of infection is minimal, that doesn’t mean the risk is at zero for poll workers who might deal with hundreds of voters.
But, like Kelchner, all those interviewed said they knew the risks. They just felt Election Day was worth it.
“You see what’s happening in our country right now?” asked Peggy Van Meter, 54, the judge of elections in Precinct 50, at Radio Park Elementary. “There’s nothing more important that I could be doing today than this. There was never any discussion today about not doing it.”
Voters trickled in throughout the day at many precincts, and few crowds descended even in usual hot spots like the HUB-Robeson Center. With a sharp increase in mail-in ballots, the absence of students and so few contested races, social distancing wasn’t a huge issue Tuesday.
Many doors to polling places were covered in colorful fliers, reminding voters to “STOP: Keep your distance” or to wear a mask. Blue X’s crafted from electrical tape helped voters keep their distance at many precincts, and poll workers were forced to keep masks on at all times.
But, from one precinct to another, poll workers were quick to agree that any lingering risk Tuesday was overshadowed by their sense of duty.
Colleen Bloom, judge of elections at Precinct 79 in Pleasant Gap, admitted she would’ve preferred not being there. “But I was elected,” she added. “I ran, and this is what I said I would do. This is my duty.”
Andre Culbreath, 30, said he fears COVID-19. But he’s healthy and, although masks caused his square-rimmed glasses to fog up in Precinct 18 (HUB), it seemed like a small sacrifice. Ditto for Penn State grad student Dani Waters, 28, who said her health made it “really easy” for her to decide to volunteer.
“Yes, it’s scary. Yes, it’s different,” said Waters, who worked the polls at Radio Park. “But it’s the right thing to do.”
Added Lisa Groves, 60, a volunteer at Bellefonte Area Middle School: “There are risks involved, but I’m willing to take them.”
Based on figures provided by the Centre County Board of Elections, there were about 30% fewer poll workers Tuesday compared to past primaries — some due to the threat of COVID-19 and some due to the consolidation of polling places. But, even with smaller staffs, none of the six precincts the Centre Daily Times visited Tuesday appeared at all overwhelmed.
Poll workers eagerly directed voters through the new changes: Keep your pen and don’t give it back, keep your mask on, and feel free to use the hand sanitizer. Outside of a few cases of voters bringing their mail-in ballots to the polls — they must be returned to a different address or exchanged for a ballot — poll workers said in the afternoon that things appeared to be running smoothly.
“The hardest thing to get used to is talking through these,” Grove added with a laugh, motioning toward her colorful paw-print mask.
Several poll workers told the CDT they felt worried leading up to Tuesday. They felt responsible for making sure voters were safe and, if they weren’t, that meant their families wouldn’t be either.
Van Meter’s entire immediate family, a husband and college freshman son, were both on-hand volunteering. But their reasoning for volunteering in spite of the pandemic echoed the sentiment of many poll workers.
“Being an American, being in this country, there’s nothing more important you can do as a citizen than getting yourself educated and going out and voting,” Peggy Van Meter said.
Added Kelchner: “To enjoy the freedoms we have here and the benefits, we have to vote. We have to vote.”
This story was originally published June 2, 2020 at 5:32 PM.
