Voting without a mask?

[3c273a]

Can/should people be allowed to vote without a mask?
Asking for a friend in PA

[LeftInTX]

1. Yes

Voting rights, disenfranchisement.

Masks should be offered at polls.

My friend actually lost her mask on her way to the polls.

However, many polling locations require masks, (such as the library) but actual going to vote does not require a mask. Fortunately few voters know this and wear their masks. There are signs posted that you need a mask to enter the library, but there are no signs indicating that you do not need a mask to vote

[LisaL]

2. Whether they should or shouldn't, they will be allowed to vote.

The idea is, you can't disenfranchise them even if they refuse to wear a mask.

[Ms. Toad]

3. No.

Accommodations for voting should be offered for anyone insisting they cannot wear a mask (similar to accommodations to people in voting places that are physically inaccessible - e.g. they machine or ballot is taken out to their car).

BUT they should NOT be permitted to spread COVID 19 in the closed indoor space for voting.

[LisaL]

4. Governor DeWine of OH already stated maskless people will be allowed to vote.

No requirement for special accommodations.

[consider_this]

16. That's fucked up, and...

as ridiculous as IN and FL opening all their shit up when numbers are on the rise. MORANS!

people who respect science should be protected and not have to be in fear to vote in person. this is shit.

[LisaL]

18. People who plant to vote in person should invest in a good quality mask that

will protect them.

[consider_this]

19. Good luck getting the N95

it is a travesty that we have to choose between life-threatening health risk and voting. I am going to drop off the mail-in ballot, unless other info persuades me otherwise within the next couple weeks before I do it.

[LisaL]

20. Amazon has a bunch of masks to pick from.

Even N95s. But they are not cheap.

[consider_this]

21. are you sure?

I have been trying for a while, but once you put them in your cart, they say the are for health professions only, and you need a business license to get them!
If you find one that you can actually order, please let me know if you would - it would make a huge difference in my life!
gracias!

[LisaL]

22. Search for

Harley 20 Packs Men Women Adult Costume Reusable Cotton Cloth Mask for Face Protection from Dust Pollen Breathing Masks.


20 masks for $75. They are not costume masks, they are niosh approved N95s (as you can see in the photo of the box and the mask).

[consider_this]

25. thanks, but...

I don't think it is legit. It does not come up in the CDC approved listing:
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/N95list1-h.html

All the ones that come up there seem to be only available to healthcare workers, or fakes are sold on on all kinds of sites.

Maybe this one you list is ok, but I am very diligent and skeptical. Have you tried them?

[LisaL]

26. I can't say if they are legit or not.

Yes, I have purchased them.
But I have no way to know if they are legit or not.

[consider_this]

27. what a confusing situation we are faced with!

What if we buy stuff that does not even work!
This govt should have ramped the manufacture of N95 and made readily available to all. we could be open on almost everything if everyone had legit ones. argh.

Thank you so much for trying to help me out here.

[LisaL]

28. These masks are showing up on the list under G

There is still the risk you are getting counterfeit masks but they are on the list.

Guangzhou Harley Commodity Company Ltd
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/N95list1-g.html

[consider_this]

29. Thanks!

I research a bit more - you are right, tough to know if they are selling legit, but at least goo to know the advertised item is approved. thanks again!

[LisaL]

24. Also search for

Moldex - Particulate Respirators with HandyStrap / Ventex Vale (10 Pack)
But they have valves.
Another Moldex with valves available.
Moldex 507-2300N95 Particulate Respirator with Exhale Valve, M/L

[Sogo]

30. A professional finance friend of mine did many hours of research on masks,

and these are the two she recommends that are legit and meet all approvals:

https://n95maskco.com/collections/n95-masks?sscid=81k4_seeh0&fbclid=IwAR0t1R-mOul32ZCn9Dyze_Uk6Fz8K6bmg0YQT_S29sWRyRuotixB23lmyrs

https://bonafidemasks.com/Powecom-kn-95/?fbclid=IwAR0t1R-mOul32ZCn9Dyze_Uk6Fz8K6bmg0YQT_S29sWRyRuotixB23lmyrs

[consider_this]

31. the masks, maybe, but the seller are the issue...

for example Respokare says that the n95maskco.com is not authorized.
check their site and scroll down a few panels to see
https://respokare.com

I'll dig into the other too. thanks for the ideas, this is a mini challenge.

[peggysue2]

5. No

Masks were required to enter the inside polling area when I voted in the August 6th election. I'm assuming the rule will be in place when I go to vote October 16th. With Covid numbers now spiking in 22 states, I'll be wearing a mask one way or the other.

[LisaL]

6. Masks can't be required to vote.

Here is answer specifically for PA. Masks are "encouraged" but can not be required.

""We strongly encourage voters to wear masks out of respect for their fellow voters and for the dedicated poll workers staffing the polling places. Voters who are not wearing a mask will not be denied their right to vote," said Wanda Murren, director of the Office of Communications and Press for the Pennsylvania Department of State, in an email."

https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/05/29/masks-encouraged-when-voters-go-polling-places-pa-primary-election/5276329002/

[Ms. Toad]

7. Not sure why you think the fact that some states are NOT requiring them to vote

means they CANNOT be required to vote. Those are two different questions.

One is a reflection of a decision that the state has made. The second is a constitutional question that, as far as I am aware, has not been evaluated.

[LisaL]

8. I have yet to come across the state that says masks will be required to vote.

In OH, DeWine already said voters can't be forbidden to vote if they refuse to wear a mask.
Anyhow, poster is asking about PA, and I posted a link that masks wont' be required.

[Ms. Toad]

9. DeWine's position is that he will not impose restrictions

on the exercise of free speech, religion, or voting. Not that he CANNOT. They are two different questions.

What states choose to do is dramatically different than hwat they are permitted to do (or should do). The fact that you have not seen any impose that restriction does not mean they CANNOT impose it - which is the phrase you keep using.

[LisaL]

10. It really doesn't matter if they CANNOT or WILL NOT,

if maskless people will be allowed to vote, does it?

[Ms. Toad]

11. It does matter - since the question wasn't restricted to Ohio

and asks about whether it would be a good idea to (should) require them.

Cannot means that even if it is the most fanstastic idea in the world, it is futile because the concept of requiring masks is banned.

If some states have merely chosen not to require them, it doesn't mean that all states will make the same choice - and states that have not yet made a policy decision can still do so as long as it is constitutionally permitted (which, as far as I know, has not been tested)

[peggysue2]

13. Well, in my district

There was a great big ole sign:

Masks Required

And there was no kerfuffle over it. Voting went smoothly. Hand sanitizer was at every station and plexiglass shields were in place.

Because Covid is no joke.

Btw, I live in Ruby Red Tennessee. Our county health department put in a mask requirement for all inside activities. And the vast majority of our citizens have complied. There are some exclusions but polling stations weren't one of them.

Easy-peasy.

[consider_this]

17. This (policy, or lack thereof) is horseshit.

If there is no imperative to wear masks, then there needs to be a mask free and mask mandatory option.
How dare they endanger voters and poll workers. I am super angry just thinking about this utter crap.

[LeftInTX]

23. There is good news: All of the polling sites have signs that masks are mandatory

Even if masks aren't mandatory for voting, because the venue requires masks (even if voting does not) ...Also in Texas we have a mask mandate, so the Republicans assume it also applies to voting.

There will be a few dumbfucks, but all the Republicans wore masks in July.

[LeftInTX]

14. It said that where I voted too.

But those signs were not put there by the election workers, they were put there by the university where I voted. Same with other polling locations.

Legally you were allowed to vote if you did not have a mask, the governor wrote that in his order. It's just that the signs were for the establishments where voting was being held.

We have a mask mandate in Texas. Voting is exempt. All of the establishments where voting is held require masks, voting itself does not require a mask, but most Republicans don't know this

[peggysue2]

15. Just checked and you're right

It is not mandatory to wear a mask for voting but highly recommended. Which means if someone wants to make a political stink in a county that has pretty much a 99% compliance rate, this would be a way to do it. Or, if you wanted to dissuade voters during the in-person early-voting period or on Nov.3rd, some jerk could easily huff and puff in people's faces.

That I predict would cause a commotion.

I honestly do not get this whole defiance thing when we're talking about an infectious disease that can kill you or leave long-term medical complications in its wake. Would this even be a conversation if the infection were say ebola or a sudden resurgence of small pox??

Doubt it.

My husband and I were recently informed of a local acquaintance who was hospitalized for Covid. He died in less than 2 weeks. So as I said, I'll be wearing a mask, washing my hands and sanitizing one way or the other. For me it's a matter of common sense, a small price to pay for living responsibly within a community.

[SMC22307]

12. Why are you asking DU about the "can"? Go to the official PA website to answer your "friend."

Whether people *should* be allowed to vote maskless is a different ball of wax.