News Photo by Crystal Nelson Election workers Dennis Bray and Linda Canfield talk to each other Tuesday at the First United Methodist Church in Alpena.

ALPENA — For the first time in modern history, Michigan voters on Tuesday cast ballots amidst a global pandemic that has infected tens of thousands of Michiganders and killed thousands more.

But, by and large, voters told The News they felt safe as election officials brought in new equipment and implemented new protocols to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Limited capacity at polling places, frequent cleaning, and plastic dividers separating poll workers from voters all were in place across the region.

Susan Bobolz, who wore a mask while voting at the APlex on Tuesday, said she could have voted absentee, but she likes to vote in person because it makes her feel more involved in the election process. She said she was impressed with the safety measures the city took to protect voters and election employees.

“I never felt unsafe or threatened and pretty much just like normal,” Bobolz said. “People were wearing masks and staying where they had the marks on the floor, and I think it was going smooth and I was in and out of there in less than 10 minutes.”

The voting room was limited to 10 people at one time, with an usher who directed traffic to make sure the total wasn’t breached and people remained a safe distance from one another.

News FIle Photo Alpena Resident Mary Muszynski votes at the First United Methodist Church in Alpena in this August 2020 News file photo.

Some workers were protected by a sheet of clear plastic glass, while others wore masks, face shields, and other appropriate personal protective gear. Between voters, staff was busy sterilizing equipment, tables, and even the plastic sleeves used to hide ballots while they’re inserted into the tabulator.

Todd Graham also voted at APlex. He wore a Chicago Cubs mask and said he did so to make others feel as safe as possible. He said that, as long as people abide by health officials’ recommendations and are courteous to one another, everything should be fine.

“I felt perfectly fine voting, as I do out in public,” Graham said. “We just need to follow the guidelines.”

Voters and election workers masked up at the First United Methodist Church, with masks provided to people who did not bring their own. Social distancing was observed, with election booths spaced six feet apart and tape placed on the floor so voters were spaced apart while waiting to cast their ballot.

“It seemed fairly normal, except for the masks,” Alpena resident Scott Parkham said.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Election worker Mary Ackerman, left, sterilizes plastic sleeves used by voters to deposit their ballots into the tabulator, while Eric Ferguson waits to verify voters at the APlex on Tuesday. There were many safeguards in place to protect the workers and voters from the spread of COVID-19.

Bob LeFevre said he was OK with masking up to cast his vote and thought the process was hassle-free.

“It was easy,” he said. “There were no problems.”

Julie McAlpine hadn’t planned on casting her ballot in-person.

“I had an absentee ballot and made a mistake on it and so I had to come in to vote, otherwise it would be absentee,” she said. “In November, it will be absentee.”

At several Alpena Township polling places, voters gave simple affirmatives when asked if they’d felt safe voting this year. Many reported election workers were diligently wiping, disinfecting, and taking every precaution to keep voters safe.

“Not a chance,” said poll worker Candice Massey at Word of Life Baptist Church in Alpena, asked if she’d considered sitting the election out because of health concerns.

At the Alpena Township Civic Building, where 250 ballots had been cast by 6:30 p.m., workers were less confident as they manned their tables behind a plastic shield.

They felt safe, but not totally safe, they said. Several of their usual crew had decided not to participate, and they had to recruit new bodies for the job.

Voters were largely cooperative, and most wore masks, Massey said, although the governor’s orders specified voters couldn’t be required to do so.

Only once did things get heated at the precinct, when one voter took issue with several others who refused to mask up. The workers had to hurry both parties past the registration table and get them to the voting booths before sparks flew, Massey said.