Today, Michiganders will head to the polls in unprecedented times.

It is the first modern election to take place in the middle of a global pandemic.

And that means our election workers will have to do things they’ve never been asked to do before.

Running an election already is a daunting task, making sure ballots get securely to every voter and then that each ballot is securely counted.

Now, poll workers will also be asked to keep voters safe, taking extra precautions to help maintain safe social distancing and proper hygiene to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

All while tensions and sometimes tempers are running high because of the disruption caused by the virus and the contentious nature of politics today.

So, when you’re out voting today — and we urge every reader to do so; you can register to vote today if you haven’t already — make sure to be kind to your poll workers.

Have patience.

And thank poll workers for the work they’re doing to keep this democracy running.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)