News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Alpena Township Deputy Clerk Dana Malcomson, left, and Clerk Michele Palevich set up a mock voting station to show off a plastic shield that will help separate voters from election workers. Most municipalities have taken social distancing steps to help protect the public and employees from the threat of the spread of COVID-19.

ALPENA — As people line up to vote in today’s primary election, officials around the region have taken steps to make sure voters and election workers are protected from the possible spread of COVID-19.

Most precincts across the area will have taped-off marks six feet apart showing people where to stand to promote social distancing. At many polling places, hand sanitizer and masks will be on-hand, and election workers will wear masks and other appropriate personal protective equipment.

Voters are encouraged to wear a mask, but it is not mandatory.

In Alpena Township, not only will the election employees wear masks and gloves, but they’ll be separated from voters by plastic dividers.

Township Clerk Michele Palevich said the township has been getting ready for the election for quite a while, and safety and accuracy have been the two highest priorities.

Alpena Clerk Anna Soik said workers at all precincts will take steps similar to the township. Workers will wear the proper PPE and social distancing will be practiced.

She said the voting process could take a little longer because of steps taken to provide social distancing, but she didn’t believe the short delays would lead to polls staying open past 8 p.m.

“We’ll only have five voting stations at each precinct and more tables,” Soik said. “A lot of times, when people vote, they are pretty close to each other, so this gives us a little more room. It might slow things down some and could create some longer lines, but these are small rooms, and there isn’t a lot we could do to create space.”

Poll workers could be helped by a record number of mail-in voters who have already cast ballots.

Montmorency County Clerk Cheryl Neilsen said all of the polling locations are fully equipped with PPE for workers who need them. She said hand sanitizer and masks will be on-hand for voters.

She said workers will get their temperatures taken and will be observed for symptoms of COVID-19, as well.

One of the concerns during the in-person voting Tuesday is that many of the election employees are senior citizens who are more susceptible to serious health issues brought on after contracting the coronavirus.

Soik and Palevich said many election workers expressed concern about working today and chose not to. After explaining to those workers the procedures and equipment that would be in use, most decided to give it a go, the two clerks said.

“We had a hard time getting our workers, because masks aren’t mandated,” Palevich said. “A lot just didn’t want to take the risk. Some bowed out this time, and we understand, but we have enough.”

Neilsen said a majority of election workers in Montmorency County are seniors and a few decided against working the election today. She said she expects there to be enough workers, however, to help get through the voting and tabulating process.

“I think we’re OK, because we had a majority of our election workers return,” she said. “Now, obviously, we do need elections workers, overall, and would love to get some younger people involved.”

The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. today.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ss_alpenanews.com.