The banner headline on the Atlanta Journal Constitution was just two words: “Complete Meltdown.” But those two words perfectly encapsulated the reaction of many watching Georgia’s primary election.
Plagued by too few workers and consolidated polling sites, the election was already headed for trouble as lines stretched on and on. Then the machines broke.
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As Georgia sorts out what went wrong, Florida is eyeing its neighbor to the north, knowing it has an election coming up in two months.
“This is one of the major reasons why supervisors of elections across the state have been advocating vote by mail,” said Chris Anderson, Seminole County supervisor of elections. “There could be some wait times at locations because of the social distancing rules.”
Anderson and the other 66 supervisors of elections across the state are now preparing for Florida’s primary Aug. 18. Already, Anderson has reached out to his 80 locations to make sure they are still available for polling locations, he is also working to recruit additional polling workers.
Potential issues concern staffing where Georgia ran into trouble and Florida is most concerned. Since many poll workers are retired, they are in the age group most impacted by COVID-19. As such, most Florida counties have reported increased difficulties in staffing ahead of elections.
“I’ve got a contingency plan,” Anderson said. “In Seminole County, the constitutional officers we’ve got a great relationship, and we can utilize some of their employees to help us out.”
The unknown for all 67 Florida counties remains the virus. While infection rates in the state have been flat, another spike in late summer or the fall could further complicate plans, which is why each office is preparing now.
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